Laser and light treatments can help improve uneven skin tone, sun damage, fine lines, and acne scars, with different technologies suited to different concerns. Our patients often ask how these treatments work, what results they can expect, and how much recovery time to plan for. Here, Beauty Nurse® Natalie Jakobowska answers common questions to help you understand your options for nonsurgical skin rejuvenation.
What exactly do laser and light treatments do?
Natalie: In general, lasers use highly concentrated, pulsating waves of light to stimulate skin regeneration and healing or zap hair follicles right at the root. There are a lot of different options when it comes to the broad category referred to as lasers, but not all of the treatments are truly lasers. Light-based treatments like Forever Young BBL® use a different technology than laser beams do.
What are the benefits of laser skin treatment?
Natalie: Lasers are impressive because they treat such a broad scope of issues and concerns. Laser treatments can be effective for many skin issues, including:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Acne scars and blemishes
- Uneven or discoloured skin
- Stubborn hair
- Sun damage
They can stimulate collagen growth, smooth skin, and improve skin texture. Laser technology has advanced dramatically in recent years. We now have more control over how we treat skin with lasers; we’re able to give more focused treatments that treat multiple concerns at once while minimizing skin damage and maximizing results.
You can see some of our patients’ laser treatment before-and-after pictures in our photo gallery.
What are the different types of laser treatments?
Natalie: Great question! There are multiple types of lasers and light treatments.
Ablative Lasers
Ablative lasers create more dramatic results but require more time to heal.
- ProFractional® is an ablative fractional laser that creates microscopic channels in the skin, leaving surrounding tissue intact to support healing. This process stimulates collagen remodelling to help soften wrinkles and improve the appearance of acne scars and other scars. We can customize the treatment depth and coverage to your concerns, with recovery time depending on the intensity of treatment.
- For a more superficial ablative treatment, MicroLaserPeel® removes a thin layer of surface skin to help improve dullness, fine lines, and uneven texture. Treatment depth can be customized to your concerns and available recovery time. Temporary redness and peeling can occur as the skin heals.
Nonablative Lasers
Nonablative lasers deliver energy into the skin without removing its surface layer. For example, MOXI® is a nonablative fractional laser that treats microscopic areas of skin to help improve uneven pigmentation, tone, and texture. These treatments generally involve less downtime than ablative resurfacing, although temporary redness and a rough skin texture can occur.
Light treatments such as Forever Young BBL photorejuvenation are another option, although as I mentioned earlier, they are not lasers. BBL uses pulses of broadband light to target excess pigmentation and visible blood vessels, helping reduce brown spots, redness, and uneven skin tone. A series of treatments may be recommended, with maintenance based on your skin’s needs.
What lasers are best for sun damage?
Natalie: HALO® is a hybrid fractional laser, which means it combines ablative and nonablative wavelengths to address concerns such as uneven pigmentation, fine lines, and texture changes associated with sun damage. This laser skin resurfacing treatment allows our Beauty Nurse® team to customize the intensity of the procedure based on your skin and goals.
It is essential to keep in mind that lasers are very versatile, so it’s always good to come in for a consultation with our Beauty Nurse team, as we may recommend a different treatment based on your unique skin situation. For instance, discolouration or sun spots may call for a different treatment than scarring or wrinkles. Be sure to check out our related blog post for 10 things you should know about laser resurfacing.
Do lasers work for acne?
Natalie: Certain light treatments may help manage active acne alongside an appropriate skincare or medical treatment plan. But it’s important to keep in mind that active acne and acne scars require different treatment approaches. Laser resurfacing treatments such as ProFractional can help improve the texture of acne scars, but they do not treat the underlying causes of ongoing breakouts. Our team can assess your skin and recommend an approach based on whether you’re concerned about active acne, scarring, or both.
How long does it take a laser skin treatment to heal?
Natalie: Recovery depends on the treatment, its depth and intensity, and how your skin heals. A superficial MicroLaserPeel may involve a shorter recovery than a more intensive ProFractional treatment for wrinkles or scars. Light treatments such as BBL generally involve limited downtime, although temporary redness and darkening of treated spots can occur.
More intensive resurfacing may require several days of social downtime and additional aftercare. Our Beauty Nurse® team will explain the expected healing process, when you can resume makeup and other activities, and how to care for your skin after treatment.
How often should you get laser on your face?
Natalie: The number and frequency of your laser treatments will depend entirely on your unique skin needs and your skin goals. For example, if you are having a deeper, more powerful laser treatment done, we may also recommend a series of light treatments, such as Forever Young BBL, throughout the year. In other cases, some patients prefer to come in seasonally for laser treatments, allowing them to maintain their post-laser glow year-round.
Another way to maintain your results is to follow a skin care routine with products suited to your concerns and treatments. Daily sun protection is important, too: use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, reapply at least every 2 hours outdoors and after swimming or sweating, and protect your skin with shade and clothing. Follow any additional sun-protection instructions your Beauty Nurse gives you after treatment.
How do I choose a laser treatment?
Natalie: Come in and meet with me, and we’ll discuss your skin history, map out your skin texture, and create a laser treatment plan together based on your unique skin profile and concerns.
You can request a consultation online or call us at (519) 746-1132 to learn which options can give you the healthy, fresh-looking skin you want.
