Posted on November 10, 2021 by Body Details Team Not so many years ago, the idea of using lasers for cosmetic procedures seemed like something out of a science fiction movie. But lasers have been used for various invasive and non-invasive medical procedures for decades.
Now, cosmetic laser centers, like Body Details True Laser® Centers, use lasers to effectively remove hair, reduce wrinkles and scarring, fully remove tattoos, reverse the signs of aging — even contour the body through fat removal.
Aesthetic laser treatment is a fascinating field of cosmetology that has changed the lives of millions. If you are interested in the topic or are considering a laser cosmetic procedure, we encourage you to read on.
How Lasers Work
The word laser is really an acronym for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.” That term results from the way that laser light is produced. Laser light is similar to any other type of light, but unlike the more conventional type of electrically produced light that you’re used to seeing, with a laser, the light photons are “coherent.” That means that the light photons all have the same wavelength (the same color) and the troughs and crests of the waves all move in concert.
Laser beams are also directional, which means that all of the light points in the same direction. If you contrast laser light with a light from a conventional flashlight, the flashlight beam may seem concentrated and directional, but in actuality, the individual photons are diffuse. In other words, they spread out the farther away they get from the source.
The coherency and directional nature of laser light beams make them extremely accurate, and valuable in medicine. When a laser is pointed at matter, it transfers its energy to the molecules, causing them to heat up. The ability of lasers to superheat a very small area gives the operator the ability to perform precise work. For instance, a laser can be used to destroy a tiny group of skin cells without harming the healthy cells around them. Learn more about how these lasers work, read our laser hair removal faqs.
History of Cosmetic Laser
One of the earliest medical uses for lasers was for cosmetic processes. In 1963, Dr. Leon Goldman used a simple ruby-colored laser developed a few years earlier by Theodore Maiman, an American physicist, to remove a tattoo. That earlier laser left some scarring. As cosmetic laser technology improved, however, cosmetic surgeons were able to fine-tune their procedures. Within a few years, medical professionals could use lasers to remove birthmarks, stretch marks, varicose veins, and various other unwanted skin features.
By the 1990s, cosmetic lasers became commonplace, but advances in computers and robotics improved their applications. Today, lasers are used with pinpoint accuracy. The advances in cosmetic laser technology have allowed laser treatment centers like Body Details to offer effective treatments at a fraction of the cost that they once garnered. Our state-of-the-art lasers are tailored to their purpose and are calibrated to each individual client. This is a level of accuracy and refinement that heretofore lasers couldn’t offer.
Types of Aesthetic Lasers
There are a number of commercially available lasers that cosmetic laser centers and medspas will employ. Here is an overview of two of the major categories of medical lasers:
Ablative Lasers
These are high-intensity lasers that invariably result in the destruction of the skin. By destroying and thereby removing skin cells, it clears the way for healthy new skin cells to replace them.
Non-Ablative Lasers
Non-ablative lasers usually have lower intensity than ablative lasers. They do not usually destroy the surface skin cells and are used to improve collagen growth. While this may sound gentler, they are not always powerful enough for aesthetic treatments.
Laser Types for Different Laser Treatments
The EON Laser Laser
We use the EON Laser System to target fat cells beneath the skin. Beams of laser light penetrate the walls of the fat cell, emulsifying (melting) the lipids inside. The stimulated fats drain through the pores created by the laser, and the fat cells die. The EON Laser system uses robotics to guide the laser, allowing the process to be touchless and making this one of the most effective fat-reduction laser systems available.
PicoWay Resolve Laser
This is a high-intensity, focused medical laser that’s used in tattoo removal, scar reduction, and skin rejuvenation. This laser is the strongest in its class approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The lasers used by Body Details have passed stringent testing and have been successfully deployed on hundreds of thousands of patients. Laser cosmetic therapy is both effective and proven.
Types of Aesthetic Laser Treatments
Lasers can be used for many medical procedures. At Body Details, our medical professionals work exclusively on skin treatments and contouring. Each of our True Laser® Centers is supervised by a licensed doctor and staffed by PAs and APRNs. No two clients have identical skin, so we calibrate our lasers and tailor our treatments to each individual. Here are how the processes work:
Laser Tattoo Removal
Tattoos are created when colored pigments are trapped below the skin. Specifically, the pigment is trapped in the epidermis. The pigment particles are too large to be disposed of by the white blood cells, which is why tattoos are considered “permanent.” Lasers, however, can break up the pigments, so they can be disposed of. Most people say the tattoo removal process feels about the same as getting the tattoo. Your skin will return to normal a few weeks after the procedure.
Laser Hair Removal
Hair removal was one of the earliest applications of medical lasers. Hair consists of two parts: the follicle and the shaft. Shaving cuts the shaft but does nothing to prevent growth, which is why shaving every few days is necessary. The follicle resides in the epidermis and is the growth center of the hair. When a medical laser is directed at the hair follicle, the light is absorbed by the pigment within the shaft and travels down to the follicle. The laser damages the follicle, which prevents future hair growth without harming the skin or the host.
Skin Rejuvenation
The term “skin rejuvenation” is a catchall for a collection of laser processes used to remove unwanted blemishes, wrinkles, and skin discoloration. Again, laser treatments can be ideal for addressing these undesirable features. For example, melasma is a condition that’s characterized by a collection of darkened skin cells. It is not harmful, but many people would prefer their skin to be uniform. The laser can destroy the darkened cells, allowing healthy, normal cells to replace them.
This is only one skin rejuvenation treatment. Contact a Body Details True Laser® Center to discuss other laser skin treatments we offer.
Scar Reduction
Scars are characterized by skin discoloration and raised skin. The outer skin is usually dead or comprised of unhealthy cells. A laser beam focused on the scar tissue destroys the dead cells and stimulates the growth of healthy skin cells.
Laser Fat Reduction
Using the EON Laser, trained technicians can target the upper layer of fat cells beneath the skin. The laser both destroys the fat cells and allows the liquified lipids to drain out where they can be safely absorbed and disposed of by the body’s lymphatic system.
Laser lipo — the medical term “laser lipolysis” — is non-invasive and safer than surgical procedures like liposuction, gastric bypass, or a gastric sleeve. The advantages of laser fat removal are that it’s fast (sessions usually take less than an hour), effective, safe, and non-invasive. Most people see results over the following six weeks and full results in 12.
Frequently Asked Questions about Laser Treatments
If you’re considering aesthetic laser treatments, you probably have questions about the safety and efficacy of medical lasers. The best way to address these questions is to book a free initial consultation at a Body Details True Laser® Center near you. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions our medical staff receives from clients.
Are Laser Treatments Safe?
At Body Details, we take extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of our clients. To begin with, each of our laser centers has a supervising medical doctor overseeing medical operations. Our laser technicians are physicians assistants and advanced practice registered nurses.
Our laser equipment has been FDA approved and undergoes constant inspections and routine maintenance. Before each treatment, the laser device is recalibrated to account for the client’s skin type and the treatment they will be receiving. Many medspas forgo some of these safety practices, but at Body Details True Laser® Centers, we prioritize patient safety above all else.
Do Laser Treatments Last?
The answer to this question largely depends on the type of laser treatment you are receiving. For example, while laser fat removal is an effective way to contour your waistline and destroy fat cells if you fail to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you may gain weight. The good news is that the process is safe, so you can always repeat the treatments. We also offer future touchups on certain procedures if ever necessary, so you can come back and make sure you maintain your results without additional costs.
How Many Sessions Will My Treatment Take?
Many processes require more than one session for optimal results. The number of sessions for each process may vary from patient to patient. That’s why Body Details offers the Devil in the Details™ Guarantee. This means that we quote you a price based on the treatment you want, not on the number of treatments. If you require extra treatments, they’re included in the price.
What Is the Recovery Time after a Laser Treatment?
Most people are able to resume normal activity immediately after their laser treatments. Some clients will experience enhanced skin sensitivity after certain treatments, but it’s like a mild sunburn on one area of your body or face. It shouldn’t really stop you from going on about your day.
Laser Skin Treatments in Florida
Body Details True Laser® Center provides effective laser hair removal, tattoo removal, skin rejuvenation, scar reduction, and fat reduction under the supervision of a highly trained medical staff. We have extended hours on weekdays and have Saturday appointments available to accommodate most work schedules. Our offers are all-inclusive, so you won’t be surprised by add-ons and hidden fees. Financing is available. Schedule your free laser consultation today.
