Posted on November 28, 2017 by Paul A. Boulos As the latest trend among celebrities like Chelsea Handler, everyone is just dying to know what exactly fractional laser skin resurfacing is and why it has become all the rage.
It’s no secret that many celebrities have gone under the knife to keep up their youthful appearances, but this beauty fad is a far cry from plastic surgery. Also, unlike many celeb trends, this one is actually affordable.
What Does It Treat?
As an anti-aging treatment, fractional laser resurfacing is used to turn back the hands of time. Each laser session reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and overall uneven skintone. The use of fractional lasers also encourages the body to produce more collagen, which is what gives our skin the elasticity and smoothness we became accustomed to in our youth. Unfortunately, when we hit our thirties, collagen production tends to slow down and will eventually stop altogether. Fractional laser resurfacing is able to naturally increase collagen production and increase skin’s elasticity, all without going under the knife.
What Is It?
Fractional laser resurfacing is a noninvasive procedure used to maintain or bring back the skin’s natural youth. These treatments are extremely precise, and can target a specific area of the face or body without damaging the surrounding skin. There are several kinds of lasers that can be used for these kinds of procedures, and fractional lasers are one of the newest forms of technology used in the beauty industry. It differs from other lasers as it’s able to target imperfections and treat microscopic areas of the skin. As a result, the treated areas of the skin blend in with the untreated areas, improving the look of the skin without creating any visible wounds or irritation.
How Does It Work?
At a laser clinic in your area, a licensed medical laser technician can provide you with a consultation to assess the imperfections you’d like addressed. A fractional laser is then used to target these imperfections. Different wavelength levels can be set on the laser, depending on the patient’s skin type, skin color, and desired results
These lasers then send quick pulses toward the skin, creating microscopic wounds not visible to the naked eye. This results in the elimination of damaged skin cells that are causing the wrinkles and fine lines that are aging you as the body naturally responds by eliminating them through our waste system and replacing them with healthy skin cells. The same is done when trying to get rid of skin discoloration and age spots. These are removed by having the laser target the pigment of these damaged skin cells, breaking them up into smaller particles. This makes it easier for the body’s waste system to remove them.
Fractional lasers can also send wavelengths deep into the layers of the skin, targeting problems that most other products can’t. One of the most common reasons people seek out these laser treatments is because they can stimulate neocollagenesis, or collagen production. Not only is this a popular laser treatment for the face, but for the chest and neck as well, as these are the areas of the body where a lack of collagen production is most noticeable. Collagen is what gives the skin its elasticity, and without it the skin appears much thinner, loose, and wrinkled.
What Does It Cost?
The cost of fractional laser skin resurfacing will vary from person to person as everyone will likely be treating different imperfections and seeking different results. Depending on the severity of the skin problems, several laser treatments are likely going to be required. The average number of laser treatments a person gets is three, and the cost averages between $800 and $1,000. It’s best to speak to a licensed medical technician to get a more accurate idea of what you can expect.
Why Has This Trend Become So Popular?
Aside from its super low cost, fractional laser resurfacing is extremely convenient. Each session takes an average of 10 minutes and can be easily done on your lunch break from work. As this is a noninvasive procedure, most people experience few or no side effects other than redness and slight swelling. There is little or no downtime required, and other than taking steps to avoid using makeup and any sun exposure, you can go back to your regular routine right away.
All of that aside, what likely makes fractional laser resurfacing most appealing is the fact that it works. Those who’ve indulged in this beauty trend have reported a evener skin tone, a reduction in wrinkles, and an overall more youthful appearance. There’s nothing to lose!
