When someone says that “he got a laser”, it could mean almost anything: minimizing the damage from the sun, soft wrinkles or even the use of a device that is not technically laser. This is the thing, lasers can cause confusion. “Patients often assume that a laser is a laser,” says Washington, DC Dermatologist Nina Hartman, MD. “But, they are complex tools that require deep know -how and need to be calibrated in your skin type, condition and goals.” If you’ve ever lost the laser, but you have lost completely, here is what you need to know to find the right race.
Suggested Experts
- Nina Hartman, MD is a certified dermatologist in Washington, DC
- Jill Waibel, MD is a certified dermatologist in Miami
- Kathleen Behr, MD is a certified dermatologist in Fresno, Ca
- Jason Pozner, MD is a certified dermatologist in Boca Raton, Fl
- Dr. Matthew Elias is a certified dermatologist at Fort Lauderdale, FL
What really works for faded dark spots?
The right laser depends on what causes discoloration. “First we have to determine if it is melasma, sun damage or post-inflammatory hyperchromatism (PIH),” says Miami Dermatogist Jill Waibel, MD. It uses pigment targeting devices such as Q-Switched laser for lighter freckles on fair skin, intense pulse light (IPL) and broadband (BBL) to help at impairment of sun damage and thoram laser to treat dark signs. “These treatments target melanin with precise heat, leaving the surrounding tissue intact.”
Fresno, Ca Dermatologist Kathleen Behr, MD prefers Picosure, Fraxel Dual (1927 Nenometric Wave Length) or Ultraclear to reduce points. “I also like Clear + Brilliant. It’s like a Fraxel baby with low break time.
I had acne scars for years. Can lasers really look better?
Yes, but improvement takes time. “We do not delete scars. We remodel the skin to make them less visible,” says Dr. Waibel.
Most patients have more than one type of scar, so treatment needs a customized approach. “We often combine non-gradual fractional lasers like Fraxel Dual with laser-painted laser like Vbeam to improve texture and redness,” says Dr. Hartman.
Boca Raton, Fl Plastic Surgeon Jason Pozner, MD says he was successful with Avava, a non -universal fractional laser. “It’s fast. It takes a little break time and patients love texture improvements.”
To reduce active acne, Dr. Waibel says that newer technologies approved by the FDA, such as Accure and Aviclear, can target sebaceous glands to reduce oil production and future breakouts.
Is there really a laser that can tighten the skin to avoid surgery?
Yes, some lasers can improve skin relaxation by stimulating collagen and reappearance of the skin. “To tighten the skin, the CO2 and Erbium abstraction lasers remain the gold standard, but I also use energy -based devices such as thermage and Sofwave,” says Dr. Waibel. While lasers offer more dramatic results, energy -based devices are popular for fine elevation and minimal interruption time. “Sopwave is my go-to tightening,” adds Dr. Pozner.
For a stronger effect, Dr. Behr combines the abstract CO2s that redefine lasers with a microfiber (ELLACOR or Ultraclear-Corfu), a treatment that removes the tiny skin columns to stimulate scarring.
Lasers are really safe for deeper skin tones?
Yes, when the correct technology and settings are used. “The darkest types of skin are more prone to over -color, hypothesis and laser scars,” says Dr. Hartman. “But the ND lasers: YAG and picosecond are generally considered safer because they bypass the outer skin rich in melanin.
Fort Lauderdale, Fl Dermatologist Dr. Matthew Elias, he likes Avava laser for deeper skin tones. “Focal point technology aims at dermis while crossing the skin, allowing safe treatment to all types of fitzpatrick.”
Dr. Behr recommends the 3DMiracl treatment of Ultraclear, which is cleared for all skin types. “Uses cold fiber laser energy with minimum interruption time and no thermal damage.”
How should I prepare my skin and what should I use after a laser session?
Start with your stay out of the sun. “Avoid exposure to the sun before and after a laser treatment,” says Dr. Behr. “For patients prone to over -colored, I often prepare their skin with lighting factor, such as hydroquinone or Alastin’s A-Luminate Serum. “He also suggests using an effective post-processing product like Alastin’s Regenerative nectar of skin To accelerate treatment after treatment. “Helps to enhance results and reduce recovery time.”
Dr. Waibel says you don’t overcome it. “Cleaning the area that has been treated two to four times a day and avoiding sun exposure is the key. Avoid exfoliated, acids and active until your skin barrier recovers, but in many cases, colored sunscreen or makeup may be applied.”
What is the latest laser technology and what are the new features?
Laser innovations include smarter, more personalized technology. “At the moment I am trying the second generation Fraxel FTX,” says Dr. Waibel. “It has updates that allow real -time adjustment based on skin response.” She also works on laser platforms that use robotics and AI to make the treatments more customized. “We get closer to the laser protocols that are adapted as they go,” he adds.
Laser Lingo: What does all this mean
- Laser Remove the outer layer of the skin to reappear and tighten. “CO2 lasers and erbium is the golden model to improve looseness and wrinkles,” says Dr. Waibel.
- Non -diabetic laser Heat the tissue under the surface without removing the skin. Dr. Hartman says these lasers enhance collagen with less time of stoppage than abstraction options.
- Fractional laser Target certain columns of the skin while leaving the surrounding tissue intact. Dr. Behr says this accelerates healing and reduces the risk compared to fully abstract lasers.
- Pond Deal with the damage of the melasma and the sun. Dr. Hartman calls laser like Fraxel Dual (using both Thulium and Erbium lasers) and Moxi “Workhorses to improve clarity”.
- Nd: yag lasers Target unwanted veins, hair and pigment. Their ability to bypass their melanin makes them safer choice for deeper skin tones.
- Pulsating cotton Target the blood vessels to improve redness, small boats and certain types of vascular signals.
- Laser Picosecond Like Picosure “Use Ultra-Short pulses to effectively deal with melasma with minimal risk,” says Dr. Behr.
- Intense Pulse Light (IPL) It is not technically a laser, as it uses a broad spectrum light to treat redness, sun damage.
- Broadband (BBL) It uses multiple wavelengths of light wavelengths to treat aging, discoloration and redness. It is often called a more advanced IPL format.
- Microryry Removes the tiny columns of the skin to tighten, using either a laser or a device called Ellacor.
- Energy -based treatments Use radio frequency (Morpheus8 and Emface) or ultrasound (Ultherapy and Sofwave) to stimulate collagen.
