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YOUR GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING COSMETIC LASERS

Cosmetic treatments have gained popularity recently due to their effectiveness and benefits. The best thing about cosmetic laser treatments is that they are minimally invasive and have reduced downtime compared to traditional cosmetic surgeries. Needless to say, there are different laser procedures, although they have similar features. Here is a deeper look into cosmetic lasers and how they work.

What are cosmetic lasers?

A laser refers to a single wavelength source of high-energy light that is accurately focused on a particular body area to achieve the desired result. In simple words, cosmetic lasers use light energy to resurface the skin.

How do they work?

You may have encountered the word monochromatic when it comes to cosmetic lasers. That means that a laser emits light of only one wavelength (color of light). It works in cosmetic procedures through a process known as selective photothermolysis, which adjusts the frequency of light to produce heat in the particular area that will be destroyed.

To achieve that, the wavelength of the laser light beam must be in tandem with the target’s color, especially when treating skin conditions. laser treatments can help improve:

  • Skin tone and texture.
  • Fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Remove unwanted tattoos.
  • Remove unwanted hair.
  • Rectify sun-damaged skin.
  • Remove birthmarks, acne scars, spider veins, face spots, etc.

Types of lasers

There are many cosmetic lasers, but two basic types are used for cosmetic procedures: ablative and non-ablative lasers. Ablative lasers work by vaporizing the top layers of the damaged skin, whereas non-ablative lasers work on the deeper skin without damaging or removing the top layer. They are minimally invasive, and you may not experience any downtime after a cosmetic laser treatment.

According to laser experts at Sentient Lasers, the main difference between the wide range of lasers has to do with the wavelength. Different cosmetic laser wavelengths target various skin problems, so physicians may recommend using different lasers to address a group of problems.

Cosmetic lasers for different procedures

Wrinkles and fine lines

Ablative lasers such as CO2 lasers or erbium lasers remove fine lines and wrinkles. Pulsed dye lasers have also proven effective with light-based treatments such as intense pulsed light therapy and light-emitting diode photo facials.

Skin tightening

Most types of cosmetic lasers can provide some level of superficial skin tightening, but CO2 lasers are the most efficient. There has also been success using non-laser light-based treatments like thermal radio frequency-based systems and titan infrared devices.

Precancerous lesions

Lasers are now being used as a preventative measure against precancerous lesions. Ablative cosmetic lasers like CO2 and erbium: YAG are used in removing such lesions.

Vascular lesions

These include spider veins, broken blood vessels on the face, certain birthmarks, etc. IPL, diode lasers, and nd: YAG are common for removing vascular lesions.

Tattoo removal

IPL, nd: YAG, and the Q-switched laser are the standard choice for tattoo removal.

to conclude

Many lasers are being used in cosmetic procedures today, and they have proven a valuable alternative to conventional invasive procedures like plastic surgery.