What is LASER resurfacing?
LASER season is now upon us! The months following summer are the most popular time to undertake LASER treatments and for good reason. The natural decline in sunlight reduces the post-treatment burden of recovery on the skin whilst any downtime following the procedure is managed before the start of the party season.
An ever increasing number of patients are pursuing LASER resurfacing for their skin regeneration regimes. They are often used for:
- -fine lines and wrinkles
- -sun damage
- -acne scarring
- -post operative scarring
- -skin rejuvenation
- -“prejuvenation” and reversing skin ageing
But what actually are they?
Well, not all energy-based devices are LASERS and not all LASERS are the same!
Essentially, LASERS use precise light energy to target specific compounds in the skin called “chromopheres”. The most common of these being water, melanin and haemoglobin. The target chromosphere for each LASER explains how it best treats a specific problem: ie a melanin-favouring LASER helps with pigmentation, a haemoglobin-favouring LASER helps with blood vessel issues and a water-favouring LASER regenerates the surface of the skin, where most of the hydration/water is based.
The water-favouring LASER targets the upper layers of skin to remove damage whilst triggering our natural healing process to stimulate collagen and elastin production.
LASERs can also be divided into Ablative and Non-ablative, Fractional and FullField.
Ablative LASERS remove the top layers of the skin and deliver more intense results; non ablative heat the lower levels of the skin surface but leave the outermost layer in tact allowing for a reduced recovery time.
LASERS can treat the entire surface of the skin (FullField) or use tiny micro beams leaving untreated skin in between (Fractional) which leads to less downtime.
Resurfacing is typically achieved either by an ablative C02 LASER or an Erbium-YAG LASER.
They both have their own advantages and disadvantages: CO2 often gives a dramatic result in a single session but involves at least 2 weeks usually of downtime with increased risks of post inflammatory pigmentation. Erbium YAG produces less heat, is suitable for more skin types and carries less of a complications risk, with a faster recovery, although results are potentially not as drastic in a single session.
It’s important when choosing a LASER practitioner, therefore, that you are seen by someone who understands both the physics and electromagnetic spectrum upon which this treatment is based, along with a comprehension of the presenting skin problem, who can then tailor and treat you accordingly to maximise the result whilst minimising complications. In the wrong hands, these powerful machines can cause irreversible damage.
If you want to discuss LASER and which might suit your skin concern, we would be delighted to see you in clinic.
