Posted on October 17, 2017 by Paul A. Boulos Laser skin rejuvenation is the ideal alternative to plastic surgery, and even though it’s a noninvasive procedure, there are still risks involved.
Like most forms of laser skin resurfacing, these laser treatments are sought out by those who are looking to eliminate imperfections as well as those looking to appear more youthful. Most people see an improvement in their appearance after just a single treatment, however, several laser sessions are usually recommended depending on what kind of results are desired. The most commonly targeted imperfections are wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots, age marks, scars, and acne marks. Laser skin rejuvenation will also increase collagen production and increase skin elasticity, and can be used to remove freckles, birthmarks, and reduce pore size.
How Does Laser Skin Rejuvenation Work?
Laser rejuvenation is performed by non-ablative lasers, which is a newer technology that can target damaged skin cells without causing damage to the skin’s surface. It’s for this reason that many people opt for laser treatments over plastic surgery, as there’s little or no downtime. Lasers are set to emit different wavelengths depending on a client’s skin type and the level of skin damage that needs repairing. Each quick pulse targets damaged skin cells by creating microscopic wounds that encourage new skin cells to form and an increase in collagen production, making the skin tighter and more youthful.
When laser treatments are being used to remove scars, sun spots, or skin discoloration, lasers target the pigment in these damaged skin cells, ultimately breaking up the pigment into smaller particles. This makes it easier for the body to naturally eliminate the pigment through the body’s waste system, leaving healthy, flawless skin behind.
Potential Risks
While those who receive their laser skin rejuvenation from a qualified licensed medical laser technician are less likely to see any side effects, there are plenty of laser clinics who don’t provide proper training for their employees or use the appropriate lasers. This is when side effects are more likely to occur. Such possible risks include:
- Raw skin
- Oozing blisters
- Pain similar to a severe sunburn
- Crusted over skin
- Bacterial infections
- Acne breakouts
- Cold sore breakouts if treatments are done around the mouth
- Hyperpigmentation or the discoloration of the skin
- Small white bumps or milia
- Scarring if the blisters or scabs are picked at
How We Mitigate These Risks At Body Details
At Body Details, we go out of our way to ensure our clients aren’t put at risk by taking the proper steps to ensure the chance of side effects are little to none. One of the first steps when seeking laser skin rejuvenation treatments is to research laser clinics in the area. At Body Details we only employ those with medical degrees who are certified by a team of our Medical Directors, a standard not all laser clinics uphold. We have found that having employees with vast medical knowledge makes them better laser technicians, as they are more knowledgeable on skin conditions and sensitivity issues that many of our clients come in with. Having medical experience also ensures that our laser technicians are aware of common concerns for those seeking laser treatments, such as hyperpigmentation. Understanding in depth the layers of the skin is just one of the many advantages we have at Body Details that allow us to avoid the risk of side effects. When you book an appointment at one of our cosmetic and laser centers, you can be sure you’re in good hands.
Another way we mitigate risk is to properly train our laser technicians. While all of our staff hold medical degrees and have gone through a licensing course that teaches them to perform laser treatments, we send all of our trainees to a separate program where they are certified under the watch of the laser manufacturers. This ensures that our laser technicians are able to use the highest level of technology available that we hold in our offices.
The final step we take to ensure our clients a safe and painless procedure is to use the right tools. Our licensed medical laser technicians use the PicoWay Resolve laser, currently the best laser in the industry for performing skin rejuvenation treatments. The fractional laser allows our technicians to target damaged skin cells without affecting the surface layer of the skin, which is what allows clients to look forward to little or no downtime after each treatment. This laser can also administer two separate wavelengths, each designed to treat different layers of the skin, giving our laser technicians the ability to reach problem areas deep in the skin’s surface.
The only way to accurately assess the risk of receiving laser treatments is to do thorough research. Understand that not all laser clinics hold their staff to the same training requirements, nor do they all use the latest technology.
