We all see imperfections when we look in the mirror, even if nobody else notices them. If you’re unhappy with parts of your complexion, there are laser treatments that offer transformative results. The team at Chetco Medical & Aesthetics in Brookings, OR, is proud to offer a wide variety of laser treatments. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss your options.
What Can Laser Treatments Do?
The thing that makes laser treatments so popular is their versatility. They can address a multitude of concerns. Clients typically seek these treatments to address imperfections on their skin, but they can do much more than that. Today’s innovative laser treatments can address:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Acne scars
- Hyperpigmentation
- Age and sunspots
- Uneven tone and texture
- Unwanted hair
- Nail fungus
- More!
Best of all, as we will cover in more detail below, modern laser treatment platforms can deliver all of these benefits and more with a safe, simple, non-invasive delivery system. In most cases, patients can resume their full schedule within days, or even sooner. Treatments are quick, comfortable, and can accommodate a wide range of patients with different skin types and skin concerns.
A consultation with a qualified professional can help determine which laser treatment is right for you.
How Do Laser Treatments Work?
Continued refinement in modern laser treatment platforms has introduced a number of variations and additional components to “traditional” laser treatment, as we will cover in our breakdown of LaseMD and Clarity Laser below.
The basic scientific principles behind the precision and power of laser treatments include the following:
- Light energy selectively targets chromophores, which refers to the component of certain molecules that have the capacity to absorb specific wavelengths of light. Carefully calibrating the laser treatment’s wavelength allows nearby tissues to remain unaffected.
- The heating effect of this light energy being absorbed by the chromophores, often referred to as “photothermolysis” (light + heat + cell death), causes the targeted pigment to break down. In the case of laser hair removal, the heat energy damages and destroys hair follicles.
- Different types of lasers, including ablative, non-ablative, and fractional, differ slightly in how and where this heating effect is delivered, but the underlying mechanisms are mostly the same.
Once the pigment is broken down, the complexion is brightened and rebalanced for a smooth, naturally rejuvenated appearance.
Finally, a crucial component to successful laser skin resurfacing treatment involves collagen stimulation. The heating effect associated with laser skin resurfacing treatments is registered by the body much like an injury (technically, it is), which prompts the release of collagen and elastin. Read on to see how LaseMD and Clarity Laser Treatment promote collagen production.
LaseMD
LaseMD is an innovative laser skin resurfacing treatment designed to stimulate your body’s natural production of collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are the two powerhouse proteins that keep the skin looking smooth, even and taut. This non-ablative laser works to gently heat tissue in the deeper layers of the skin but leaves the surface unharmed.
These laser treatments can be tailored to match the severity of each patient’s skin concerns. LaseMD can be used on the:
- Face
- Neck
- Chest
- Hands
You may experience results after your first session, but the real results come as your skin rebuilds from the inside out, which can take weeks. Results vary, but they tend to get better with each treatment. How many treatments a client needs depends on the condition being treated and the severity of that condition, among other factors.
Clarity Laser Treatment
This treatment uses dual-wavelength technology to direct high-power laser energy in short pulses to keep clients comfortable. This laser may be used to treat:
- Pigmented lesions
- Flushing
- Age spots
- Hyperpigmentation
- Sun spots
- Rosacea/redness
- Vascular lesions
- Acne scars
- More!
This treatment works by selectively targeting and eliminating multiple skin issues. It is non-ablative, so it will target issues below the surface of your skin by gently heating the source of the concern while leaving the outer layer unharmed.
Like LaseMD treatments, results vary from patient to patient. A series of treatment sessions may be recommended for optimal results. However, it all depends on the unique case.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Laser Treatment?
As laser treatment systems continue to make improvements in safety, efficacy, and versatility, the pool of qualified patients continues to expand. Still, laser treatments aren’t for everyone.
Consulting with a qualified professional will always be the gold standard when it comes to determining your eligibility for laser treatments. Until then, it’s always helpful to have some context ahead of time.
Patients who present to consultation with fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and a variety of pigmented imperfections (sunspots, age spots, freckles, visible blood vessels, etc.), along with any other skin concerns outlined above may be well-suited for laser treatments. However, in more severe cases, a surgical alternative may be more appropriate.
Active infections, open wounds, skin conditions, and a variety of other health concerns may affect your eligibility for laser treatment. It’s also important that patient and provider reconcile expectations with the results that laser treatments are capable of providing.
Can Lasers Be Combined with Other Treatments?
As a well-tolerated and minimally invasive procedure, laser can in fact be combined with a variety of other non-surgical treatments to broaden and deepen your results. Treatments popularly paired with laser include, but are not limited to the following:
Cosmetic Injectables and Laser
Neuromodulators (like Botox) and dermal fillers can both work beautifully in tandem with laser treatments by targeting different signs of aging for complementary effects. For example, neuromodulators improve dynamic wrinkles (crow’s feet, frown lines, etc.) while laser improves surface-level concerns for a comprehensively rejuvenated appearance. Likewise, fillers can volumize and lift certain areas for that fresh-faced, youthful look while the laser treatment addresses sun spots, uneven complexion, and more.
Chemical Peels and Laser
This combination allows you to more comprehensively address skin concerns that present themselves at various depths within the tissue. Chemical peels generally exfoliate the outermost layers of the skin, while laser therapy goes slightly deeper to target the various issues mentioned above.
The ordering and timing of these two treatments can be adjusted based on your unique goals. Peels can be used first to prepare the skin for laser, or the other way around.
Microneedling and Laser
Finally, while microneedling and laser do share plenty of overlap in terms of their effects and benefits (skin resurfacing, collagen boosting, etc.), combining the two can still enhance skin texture and tone more than either of the treatments on their own. The particular microneedling and laser treatment used (ablative, non-ablative, or fractional?) affects the depth of the treatment as well as several other factors like skin texture.
The Laser Treatment Process: Before, During, and After
The first step in the process is to consult with a qualified provider. Our team at Chetco Medical & Aesthetics in Brookings, OR, will comprehensively assess your stated skin concerns, health history, and other factors to ensure you’re an appropriate candidate for laser treatments.
Prior to your first session, you will be provided with detailed instructions to help you best prepare for laser treatment. These include, but are not limited to the following:
- Avoid direct sun exposure (including tanning booths) as much as possible
- Discontinue certain products and medications as directed
- Avoid waxing, scrubbing, and other abrasive treatments for a set period of time before your appointment
- Stay hydrated and keep up with your skincare routine
When it’s time for treatment, the process is straightforward, comfortable, and convenient. The treatment area will first be cleansed, and if applicable, a numbing cream may be applied. You’ll also be provided with protective eyewear to shield yourself from the light. The applicator is then moved over your skin, during which you may feel warmth and/or tingling or prickling sensations.
We will then send you home with a simple set of instructions that will help you manage any redness, swelling, or other mild post-treatment effects that occur.
Ready for an Improved Complexion?
If you’re ready to address the imperfections you see in the mirror, reach out to Chetco Medical & Aesthetics in Brookings, OR to find out if our laser treatments can work for you. We are committed to helping our clients meet their aesthetic goals! Contact us today to schedule your consultation and get started.
