Is Laser Therapy Right For You?

Laser skin resurfacing can provide incredible results, but before you book yourself in for a treatment there are many things you need to know.

Laser treatments work by sending pulsating beams of light onto the areas of your skin in where you want to see change.   As the laser removes the outer layer of skin, it greatly reduces the appearance of wrinkles, acne, scars or other signs of aging, while simultaneously heating the underlying skin, stimulating the growth of new collagen fibers

While these results sound great, medium to darker skin types who have a predisposition to hyperpigment should be very cautious of laser treatments.  Lasers heat the skin and can significantly increase your chances of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.  To be on the safe side, I always recommend my clients with medium to dark skin go with other exfoliation methods like peels and microdermabrasion that won’t cause undue trauma to their skin.

Another downside to laser is the expense.  The average cost for laser resurfacing is anywhere from $1500 to more than $3,000 depending on where you are being treated, and typically requires a minimum of 3-6 treatments.   Further, many times clients will see significant results from laser treatments only to have the issues resurface.  Laser treatments can be a great solution for the right skin type, but it still requires maintaining your skin with a licensed skin therapist on a regular basis if you want to maintain the results.

There are different types of lasers available so you must see a certified medical practitioner to help you determine what is best for you.

The CO2  method has been used for many years to treat wrinkles, scars, and more and recovery takes up to two weeks. The Erbium laser is designed to remove lines and wrinkles found on the face, hands, neck, or chest. Many people like erbium laser resurfacing because it has minimal burning of surrounding tissue and some say this leads to a faster recovery time.

I always tell my clients that the best decisions are made when you consult with the people who are highest regarded in their profession. I have compiled a list for you below of some very important questions to ask your doctor before you do laser resurfacing.

• Am I a good candidate for laser skin resurfacing?
• Are you certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
• Who will perform the procedure?
• How long of a recovery period can I expect?
• How severe are the risks and potential complications associated with the procedure that will be best for me?
• Do you have before-and-after photos for this particular procedure with someone who has my similar skin type?

As always, I am here to answer all of your skincare questions, you can email me, or we can set up a Skype session for a more in depth analysis of your personal issues one on one with me from wherever you are. Anytime you undergo a medical treatment for your skin it’s critical that you understand the benefits as well as the risks so don’t hesitate to get multiple opinions before you undergo your treatments.