Our patients are always looking for ways to treat their aesthetic concerns in the least invasive way possible. Sometimes surgery is the best route, but our amazing Beauty Nurse® team has put together a series to provide the best information on the three pillars of non-surgical intervention: injectables, lasers, and skincare.
Beauty Nurse Natalie Shares the Truth About Lasers
Last month, Majid walked us through the role injectables play in non-invasive facial rejuvenation (check it out here). This month we’re exploring lasers, with Beauty Nurse Natalie explaining the world of light and laser skin treatment at our Kitchener-Waterloo clinic.
Q: I hear a lot about laser treatments, but what exactly do they do?
Natalie: 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. Treatments like Forever Young BBL™ are light treatments and use a different technology than a laser beam does. In general, though, lasers use highly concentrated, pulsating waves of light to stimulate skin regeneration and healing or zap hair follicles right at the root.
Q: 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.
Q: What are the different types of laser treatments?
Natalie: Great question! There are multiple types of lasers and light treatments. Ablative lasers create more dramatic results 
but require more time to heal. An ablative laser procedure (e.g. ProFractional™ Laser) removes the thin and damaged outer layers of skin, which then triggers the skin’s healing processes to replace the damaged skin with rejuvenated skin.
On the other hand, non-ablative laser and light treatments such as Forever Young BBL™ Photo-Rejuvenation) keep the skin’s surface intact but penetrate it to target underlying tissue in the desired area. This enables the non-ablative laser to penetrate more deeply into the skin, reaching the deepest pigment, encouraging increased production of collagen and tightening of the skin.
Q: What lasers are best for sun damage?
Natalie: Halo™ is a hybrid fractional laser, which means it is both an ablative and non-ablative laser in one, making it incredibly effective for sun damage. This laser skin resurfacing treatment allows our Beauty Nurse team to customize the intensity of the procedure based on the concerns you have discussed. With this laser, patients can see results generally within three days, visibly reducing scarring and sun damage.
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.
Q: Do lasers work for acne?
Natalie: Yes! Light treatments like a Forever Young BBL™ Photo-Rejuvenation can do wonders for acne when paired with a good skincare regimen. These light treatments can clear skin. Our laser and light treatments also help to repair any accumulative sun damage, so patients get a head-start on correcting the first signs of aging too! If you’ve been suffering from acne, or you’d like to correct the acne scars that have been left behind, laser and light skin rejuvenation treatments can help. I discuss acne treatment options in detail in a previous blog post.
Q: How long does it take laser skin treatment to heal?
Natalie: It all depends on the type of laser treatment that we recommend to help you reach your skin goals. There are some treatments that have effectively zero downtime; one of our team members can give you a touch-up with Glo Skin Beauty Mineral make-up so you can head right back to work! Other treatments do require a few days of social downtime and more attention to your healing process. The amount of downtime for each laser treatment will be discussed with you prior to your treatment, so you can plan effectively for your post-treatment recovery.
Q: How often should you get laser on your face?
As with most things, maintenance is key! How many treatments you will need 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 having a series of light treatments, such as Forever Young BBL™ Photo-Rejuvenation, 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 great way to maintain your gorgeous results is to ensure that you have the proper skin care routine, with products that are targeting your skin concerns and supporting your treatments.
Q: 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.
For those considering BBL or laser skin resurfacing, our Waterloo clinic serves London, Guelph, Kitchener, and nearby communities. 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.
Make sure to tune in next month to find out what our Beauty Nurses have to say about skincare!
