Laser Skin Procedures

How can lasers improve the appearance of my skin?

Lasers...

Laser hair removal, IPL, tightening of the skin, tiny veins on the face or leg veins, etc. are different ways to improve the skin. Each modality has a different way to treat the skin with a certain wavelength.

Laser Hair Removal(LHR): Its all about timing and heat with LHR. Hair grows in stages, active, resting and falling out. Typically hair is treated in a series of treatments for the best results, between 3-6.(But I've seen even more) LHR is trying to "kill" the hair follicle and that is why it works so well. I usually tell my clients that by the 3rd treatment you will see the difference in your hair growth, because all your growth is on the same cycle. Hair growth becomes patchy and slower with each treatment. Timing is key, because we have a parameter of the hair cycle. Treatments are anywhere between 4 weeks-3 months, depending on the body part. You may only shave between treatments, do not pluck the hair out.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): Treats brown and red in the skin. The light is attracted to the dark spots in the skin and brings them to the surface then the spots fade out. Giving you a more even skin tone. Your skin looks brighter, tighter, and yet a softer look. Treatments are done in a series, how many you will need depends on how dark the spots are and skin type etc. IPL is also great for treating tiny veins in your skin as well. The IPL coagulates the veins, helping them to disappear. It is also wonderful for a ruddy complexion. All treatments can be spaced out 3 weeks apart for best results. These are great for everyone and unfortunately we can't filter out all the rays of the sun, so follow up treatments in 6 months to a year is probable.

Vein Therapy: Vein therapy on the legs works the same as on your face, however a "true" laser is used. I have had much success in treating these. How many treatments depends on the vein size and response to the treatment. Treatments are spaced out 4-6 weeks apart, allowing the veins to heal.

Tightening and Resurfacing: There are many lasers on the market that treat these problems, and they do work. Overall it is all about patient selection. If you know you plan on having plastic surgery someday, then a tightening procedure is not for you. Laser can not take the place of plastic surgery. However, if going under the knife is still a little scary for you, laser treatments are the answer. Laser is corrective to what bothers you, yet preventative. These procedures build collagen and your skin will continue to rebuild itself.

Aging still continues...but we can slow it down!!

Questions Welcome

Next time...retinols.