Is There Such A Thing As Too Many Laser Treatments?
It seems that lasers are the answer to most ailments these days and especially those pertaining to the skin. With the ability to treat a variety of problems such as acne, rosacea, eczema and hyperpigmentation, the range and efficacy delivered with the use of different lasers makes it an all-accessible tool for everyone.
Doctors love it too! With a slight change in laser wavelength, the penetration ability and hence potency of a laser can be customised to a patient’s skin troubles. But then again, can we over do it? Is there such a thing as too many laser treatments?
Lasers and how they work
Lasers generate invisible light energy that can focus on small spots and help with overall regeneration of skin. In fact, new age lasers are excellent for penetrating the skin surface and increasing collagen production and can be used to specifically target the skin in tiny dots and treat only the problematic portion – pixelation for instance.
There are stronger, ablative lasers such as those used in fractional resurfacing, but these are generally used for bigger issues such as scars, deep wrinkling, lifting and skin tightening. All in all, lasers are a quick lunch time fix to most skin troubles and should be a part of your regular skincare routine.
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Popular laser treatments
We’ve heard of laser facials and hair removal but did you know that they can (really!) help with a number of targeted skin issues. Got crater-like pores? The Laser Peel for instance, resurfaces and replenishes skin at the same time. With its use of gentle, yet deeply penetrating laser energy it exfoliates the rough and damaged layer of the skin to reveal younger, softer skin with smaller pores.
Those with pigmentation issues often use the Pico Pigment laser that as its name suggests, lightens pigmentation, fades blemishes and brightens the complexion. The Pico laser is also a great tool to remove unwanted tattoos – yes, that includes your ex’s name!
And then there’s SmartX, the gold standard in laser resurfacing that gives you the enhanced facial rejuvenation by improving tone, texture and colour, ALL together.
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So when do you know you’ve had enough?
Lasers can help with a lot (and we mean a lot) of skin troubles and for general rejuvenation, but when do you know if you’ve gone overboard?
First off, lasers like any other aesthetic procedure need the stamp of approval from your doctor and trained practitioners. Make it a priority to go with reputed clinics that are experienced in lasers and working on different skin issues and types. One of the most common tell-tale signs of too much laser is super-sensitive, red skin. If you overdo lasering, your skin might not get the time to recover and become more sensitive, leading to other broader issues such as pigmentation. This is why it’s important to go with a skilled and experienced doctor who knows when to stop and not go overboard with laser wavelength.
You will also need to make sure that you follow aftercare diligently. Sunscreen and a broad spectrum one, is an absolute non-negotiable after undergoing laser treatments.
Bottomline
With their ability to help across a range of skin care issues, lasers are a beauty tool you cannot afford to ignore. As always, trust in your (experienced) doctor and your skin to let you know when you’ve had enough!
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