Laser skin resurfacing is a popular cosmetic procedure that uses lasers to improve the appearance of the skin. There are many different types of lasers available, each with their own unique benefits. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of lasers and how they can be used to improve the appearance of the skin.
What is laser skin resurfacing?
Laser skin resurfacing is a cosmetic procedure that uses lasers to improve the appearance of the skin. The laser beam is directed at the skin, where it penetrates the surface and heats the underlying tissue. This heat causes collagen in the tissue to shrink and contract, which results in a tighter, smoother appearance. Laser skin resurfacing can be used to improve a variety of cosmetic concerns, including wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, and sun damage.
Types of Lasers
There are many different types of lasers available for laser skin resurfacing. The type of laser that is best for you will depend on your specific cosmetic concerns. Some of the most popular types of lasers include PicoSure® Focus, CO₂ Total & Active FX Lasers, IPL, and Lumenis LightSheer®.
PicoSure® Focus
PicoSure® Focus is a type of laser that uses short pulses of energy to target specific areas of the skin, while leaving the surrounding skin untouched. These short pulses of energy are far more gentle than other types of laser treatments that use intense heat. Additionally, PicoSure® Focus can be used at different wavelengths in order to target different colors of pigments. For example, the 755 nm wavelength is able to target black, blue, and green tattoo inks, while the 532 nm wavelength targets red, yellow, and orange pigments.
This laser is effective for treating unwanted pigments, wrinkles, and acne scars on the face, chest, hands, or legs. The treatment itself takes about 10-15 minutes and a minimum of three treatments spaced four weeks apart are recommended for the best results. Since this laser uses a gentler approach, there is little discomfort and no downtime.
CO₂ Total & Active FX Lasers
CO₂ lasers are the most commonly used type of laser for skin resurfacing. They are effective for treating a variety of concerns, including wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, and sun damage. CO₂ lasers can be used for both ablative and non-ablative resurfacing. Ablative resurfacing removes the top layer of skin, while non-ablative resurfacing heats the underlying skin tissue without damaging the top layer.
The CO₂ laser system offers three modes of delivering laser energy. The first is known as Active FX, which ablates superficial tissue to treat fine lines, actinic keratosis, and similar issues. The second is known as Deep FX, which allows for deep ablation. Finally, the Total FX mode uses both Active FX and Deep FX modes at the same time to treat a variety of superficial and deep skin concerns.
CO₂ lasers are effective for treating wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, texture issues, uneven skin tone, stretch marks, and sun damage. The number of treatments will depend on your specific goals and the severity of your concerns. It is important to note that ablative treatments generally yield more dramatic results, however they also tend to require more downtime and can cause more discomfort.
IPL
IPL (intense pulsed light) is a type of light therapy that uses multiple wavelengths of light to target specific areas of the skin. IPL differs from laser therapy in that it uses multiple wavelengths instead of a single wavelength. These multiple wavelengths allow the light to reach the middle layer of skin without damaging the outer layer. Pigmented cells then absorb the light energy and convert it into heat energy to eliminate the pigments or even to destroy hair follicles.
This type of light therapy is effective for treating a variety of concerns, including wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, sun damage, and uneven skin tone. IPL can also be used to improve the appearance of broken capillaries and redness. IPL treatments are usually performed in a series of three to five sessions, spaced four to six weeks apart. The number of treatments will depend on your specific goals and the severity of your concerns.
Lumenis LightSheer®
Lumenis LightSheer® is a type of laser that uses a high-intensity light to target the hair follicles in the skin. This laser is effective for damaging hair follicles while leaving the surrounding skin untouched. It works because the light energy targets the colored pigments known as melanin in the hair. Heating melanin destroys the hair root and stops blood flow the hair follicle. Both of which stop hair growth in that area. In some cases, Lumenis LightSheer® can also be used to target and destroy hyperpigmentation and spider veins.
Lumenis LightSheer® can be used to remove hair from the back, chest, arm, armpits, legs, bikini area, and more. Treatment Takes about 5-15 minutes and are usually performed in a series of 6-8 sessions, spaced four to sixteen weeks apart. This allows all the hair follicles in the area to be targeted at different stages in the growth cycle in order to obtain the best results.
In Conclusion
In this blog, we discussed laser skin resurfacing and the different types of lasers that can be used to improve the appearance of your skin. We hope this information was helpful and that it helps you to decide what type of laser is best for your needs. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to discuss your specific goals and concerns in order to help you decide which treatment is right for you.
