Lasers have been around for decades, with the first built-in 1960. It was only a few years later that lasers were used in medical applications when the first retinal laser surgery was performed in the mid-1960s.
In addition to being used in everything from manufacturing to medical surgeries, lasers have numerous practical applications in the beauty industry. Laser hair removal, for example, is one of the more popular uses of lasers, a concept that was explored as early as the 1960s. However, there are numerous other cosmetic laser treatments worth trying.
Start by exploring the following eight laser beauty treatments.
Photofacials
Photofacials typically refer to Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy. The treatment doesn’t use a true laser, but it’s still a great choice for individuals looking for a solution to clearer skin. Through intense pulses of light that penetrate deep into the skin, this treatment causes blood vessels and collagen to constrict, helping reduce the appearance of sun damage, skin discolouration, redness, large pores, and even wrinkles. Photofacials are comfortable, short procedures that require no downtime. IPL may not be safe for all skin types and typically works best for individuals with fair skin.
Laser Genesis
Another facial treatment worth considering is laser genesis. This non-invasive treatment heats the dermis to help accelerate collagen growth. The therapy is designed to reduce acne scars, shrink large pores, reduce fine lines, and even out skin tone. Like with photo facials, laser genesis treatments don’t require any downtime. However, laser genesis sets itself apart from IPL because it’s considered safe for all skin types. Expect to undergo between four to six treatments, each spaced about a month apart.
Pearl Resurfacing
If you’re looking for an alternative to photo facials or laser genesis, consider Pearl resurfacing. This treatment uses a unique laser that treats the top layer of skin with pulses of light and heats the deeper layers to promote healthy skin growth. Pearl resurfacing treatments are ideal for reducing sun damage, age spots, wrinkles, large pores, irregular skin texture, and mild scarring. The difference with Pearl is that it targets deep-set imperfections in one treatment with a downtime of about 3-4 days.
Laser Skin Tightening
Laser skin tightening is a type of therapy that’s great for reducing wrinkles, but it can target loose skin on all areas of the body, including the face, neck, arms, stomach, thighs, and buttocks. This treatment focuses on tightening loose skin by promoting collagen production. As your skin gradually produces more collagen, it will continue to tighten in the weeks following your first procedure. However, it’s recommended that individuals undergo two to three treatments a month apart for the best results. The treatment requires no downtime, and the results are immediate.
Spider Vein Therapy
Spider veins refer to visible, dilated blood vessels commonly found on the legs and sometimes on the face. Spider veins can increase in number and visibility over time. However, laser therapy can help reduce the appearance of spider veins with a safe, comfortable procedure that requires no downtime. Typically, individuals must undergo multiple treatments for the best results. The same type of therapy can also treat other blood vessel problems such as broken capillaries or cherry angiomas, which are collections of small blood vessels that result in a red mole and usually affect individuals over the age of 30.
Toenail Fungus Treatment
While you may be familiar with the cosmetic applications of lasers mentioned above, did you know lasers can also be used to cure fungal infections? Onychomycosis is a type of fungal infection that affects the toenails or fingernails and can harm the bed, plate, or matrix of the nail. This infection can lead to pain and discomfort as well as disfigurement of the nails. In some cases, it can even interfere with walking and exercising. There are a variety of treatment options for onychomycosis, including both oral and topical treatments. Among them, lasers can be used to kill the fungus, relieve the painful symptoms associated with the infection, and improve the look of your nails—all without the use of drug therapy.
Laser Hair Reduction
Along with the cosmetic laser treatments mentioned above comes the popular laser hair reduction treatment. This procedure uses intense beams of light to target individual hair follicles to slow future hair growth. The treatment can be performed on almost any part of the body, including the face, arms, back, chest, legs, underarms, and bikini area. This procedure is a great option for anyone wanting to remove unwanted body hair for long-lasting results, from women who want to remove upper lip hair to men wanting to get rid of their chest hair.
Laser hair treatments can’t guarantee permanent hair removal, but it does drastically slow down the growth of hair. Laser hair reduction works best in individuals with light skin and dark hair, though it can also work for those with darker skin. Multiple sessions may be needed for the best results.
Laser treatments are a safe, viable option for numerous cosmetic applications, and most procedures require little to no downtime with nearly instant results. However, you must work with a qualified laser therapist who takes proper precautions and walks you through a full consultation to ensure you’re getting the right laser therapy treatments for your skin type. Give Premier Med Spa a call, or drop us an email if you’d like to learn more about the Cutera XEO laser we use or if you have any questions about our laser therapy procedures.
