Improving 5 Common Skin Conditions With Laser Treatments

Most of us have at least one thing we’d love to change about our skin, especially as we get older. Thankfully, there are multiple non-surgical treatment options that can significantly improve most any skin condition. Laser skin treatments, in particular, are very versatile. Technology advances have fine-tuned laser and light therapies to the point where we can tailor tools and procedures specifically for each patient.

It is critical to choose a provider who is well-trained and experienced in using lasers to treat your type of skin and condition. In the wrong hands, lasers can be dangerous.

These are the 5 most common skin conditions we treat with lasers here at Raval Facial Aesthetics and Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics. Most of these in-office treatments are fast, and many require little or no downtime. However, most work gradually, so it is not unusual to need more than one treatment session to achieve the results you want. On the other hand, results can be surprisingly impressive.

Rosacea

We use either a Diolite laser or intense-pulsed light (IPL) to treat rosacea, depending on your skin type and other personal factors. The laser delivers a steady, highly-focused beam of light. As the light is absorbed by the melanin (pigment) and tiny blood vessels that form rosacea, it kills the cells which are then absorbed by your body. The laser does not affect health cells nearby. IPL works a bit differently, delivering a broader spectrum of light in short bursts, but results are similar.

Scars

Laser treatments can help reduce the appearance of acne scars and also smaller scars from surgery or injuries. We often recommend laser procedures over harsher alternatives such as chemical peels. Depending on the type and depth of the scars, we may use a non-ablative type of laser that works only below the surface, or an ablative type of laser that resurfaces the skin as well. Fractional lasers can also be a good choice.

Wrinkles

You can’t escape fine lines and wrinkles as you get older, but certain laser treatments can help restore your skin, giving you a smoother and more youthful look and encouraging your skin to continue improving itself. Dr. Raval may recommend an ablative or non-ablative type of laser treatment, or IPL, depending on your skin type, your wrinkles, and the results you hope to achieve. Lasers are not as effective for those with very dark skin, but there are options that work pretty well if your skin is lighter-to-medium African American, Hispanic, or Asian tone.

Age Spots

Sun exposure and aging can cause dark spots to form. Laser resurfacing can be a great way to address these spots as well as freckles or other pigmented lesions. As with wrinkle reduction, the laser works by gently scrubbing the surface skin while heating sub-surface tissue. That improves surface tone and texture and also stimulates production of collagen below the surface.

Superficial Blood Vessels

Recent advances have given us new ways to treat spider veins on the face as well as the legs and feet. Here at Raval Facial Aesthetics, we use IPL to precisely target the walls of the tiny visible blood vessels without burning the skin’s surface. The vein sections collapse and die and are then reabsorbed into your body. Skin color can affect your results.  

Is laser treatment right for your skin condition?

It takes knowledge and skill to know if laser treatment is the best choice for you, not to mention which laser therapy will produce optimal results in your case. A face-to-face consultation is a necessity, because Dr. Raval has to see your skin as well as hear your concerns, questions, and aesthetic goals before he can recommend the personal-best option for you.