The rate varies because it will depend on what your needs are. It may range from $50 to $300 per session, and these are reasonable rates. However, some may charge you twice or three times more depending on the machine that will be used.

Aside from the prices, it is important to have a good idea if laser treatment is needed. In this article, you’ll learn truths about what it can do to your skin, if the procedure is safe, the different types and benefits, aftercare, debunking myths, and many others. You will want to read on if you want to be informed.

What Lasers Do to Your Skin

The only way for anyone to get any types of laser treatment is through an aesthetic doctor. An important info you need to keep in mind is that plastic surgeons do not do laser procedures, BUT they are highly qualified if they want to, they usually focus on surgical techniques that other doctors can’t perform.

Another thing, doctors who are MOH certified in Singapore are the only ones who can carry out true lasers. With this, it’s illegal for foreign doctors, clinics, spas to execute face and skin laser treatments if not certified.

Laser is a very concentrated light beam, nothing else. Its wavelengths and light beam are able to treat certain skin conditions and doctors are skillfully trained on the kind of wavelength to use, and the number of sessions required to achieve results.

Each wavelength is suitable for treating one specific condition and only your doctor can identify the right laser therapy for you.

What is Laser Skin Resurfacing? Information You Need to Know

If you want to improve your skin’s appearance or treat minor flaws on your face, laser resurfacing is an option. The common types of lasers used for resurfacing include:

CO2 or Carbon Dioxide – it is used to treat scars, warts, wrinkles and other conditions.
Erbium – this is used to remove moderately deep and superficial lines on your chest, neck, hands and face. It has lesser side effects compared to CO2.

Your dermatologist will evaluate you first, discuss expectations and do a physical exam to know if other medications are needed.

If you have dark complexion and active acne, you can’t become a qualified candidate for this procedure.

It can treat age spots, acne scars, droopy eyelids, crow’s feet, scars, sagging skin, wrinkles, and damaged skin due to sun exposure.

Possible complications include scarring, swelling, itching, burning sensation, infection, pigmentation issues and bumps due to sweat glands obstruction.

Laser Treatment Procedure for Skin: Is It Safe?

This type of treatment is generally safe, especially if it’s done by a certified and qualified doctor. You will be informed about the possible complications that may arise and the different risks when undergoing the procedure.

There may be temporary or permanent scarring, hyperpigmentation or permanent darkening of skin, especially for those dark-skinned individuals who want to undergo the procedure.

In any types of treatment, there are always risks involved even if it’s declared that it’s generally safe. Be aware of the risks to avoid complications on your end.

Five Kinds of Laser Therapy & Benefits

We all want to keep our skin young and beautiful. Here are five laser therapy types and benefits that you will want to know:

ABLATIVE LASER TYPES:

It uses a concentrated wavelength of light emitted on your skin, removing the outer layers of damaged or aged skin.

CO2 or Carbon Dioxide – mostly used for skin rejuvenation but not an option for those that have dark skin tones.

Benefits: used for acne scars, skin cancer, birthmarks, deep-set wrinkles, sun damage, corns on feet, scarring warts, skin tags, moles saggy skin, etc.

Er: YAG or Erbium Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet – it can remove moderately-deep wrinkles and lines on your neck, hands, chest and face. It only has a little burning sensation of the nearby tissues. It heals faster, and the side effects are fewer than CO2.

Benefits: it can cure acne scars, pigmentation issues, fine lines, moles and few to moderate wrinkles.

NON-ABLATIVE LASER TYPES:

It’s a non-wounding laser that works underneath the surface layer of the skin.

Nd: Yag Laser – Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet is actually a crystal. It is used as a medium for solid-state lasers.

Benefits: it can treat pigmented lesions, vascular lesions, spider veins, skin pigmentation issues, hair and tattoo removal.

Pulsed Dye – it targets the blood vessels directly when treating the skin to shrink them.

Benefits: treats birthmarks, spider veins, rosacea, stretch marks, broken capillaries, fine lines around your eyes and vascular lesions.

Alexandrite – it emits a wavelength of great energy light, which will then be transformed to heat energy.

Benefits: can treat birthmarks, brown spots because of sun damage, pigmented lesions and pigmentations. It may also be beneficial for leg veins, tattoo and hair removal.

How Long is the Healing Time?

When undergoing any type of laser treatment, healing doesn’t take only a day. It may take 3 to 10 days, depending on how big and deep the procedure was done. Generally, the bigger the area and the deeper the penetration is, the longer the healing time it requires. Some may even take up to three weeks for an ablative type of laser treatment.

You are not required to stay at home during this period, but since you will be prone to known germs and diseases, you can be exposed to them and increase your risk of getting an infection.

Aftercare

After instructions after laser resurfacing treatment:

Have an adult stay with you for 24 hours after the procedure.
For the first 48 hours, it is advised to rest and the head is elevated with at least 2 pillows.
Follow the prescribed medications for pain. Take it before you start to feel uneasy.
Refrain from involving any strenuous activities.
Use the specific cream or medications prescribed to cover the layered skin. You may also use cold packs for swelling.
Do not stand up right away after lying down. Take some time to sit before you stand to avoid fainting.
You need to relax and rest as much as you can to avoid any complications.
After being sedated or administered with general anesthesia, you initially take clear liquids. Prevent yourself from being dehydrated. High calorie and protein intake is vital.
Procedure feels like a sunburn. You need to wash your face gently day and night and shower twice a day. Make sure shower is not too hot. Blot dry and avoid rubbing your face. Follow your doctor’s advice on what product to use.

Is Laser Face Treatment Good For You?

Acne, sun damage and aging will show on your face – scars, blotches, lines and wrinkles. However, thanks to laser skin resurfacing, achieving a younger looking and healthier is possible. It can precisely remove the unwanted skin layer by layer.

This kind of procedure is not for everyone. You need to be a good candidate. Go to an aesthetic doctor and have yourself evaluated before deciding to have a laser treatment. A physical examination will be made; a background check on your family history and other relevant info will be needed from you to ensure that you are qualified so that unwanted circumstances may be avoided.

What Are the Possible Side Effects on Your Skin?

There are different side effects, depending on the laser treatment. To give you an idea, here is a list:

CO2 or Carbon Dioxide – healing time is longer and there is a big risk of pigmentation, itching, pain, scarring, redness and burning sensation.

Er: YAG or Erbium Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet – swelling, redness, bruising that can last for a week or two.

Nd: Yag Laser – success rate is low. In a vascular lesion case, there is a high probability of return. Pain may be experienced during the procedure. After the treatment, swelling, redness and itching may last for how many days.

Pulsed Dye – slight bruising and temporary pigmentation.
Alexandrite – pain is common during the procedure. Changes in the pigmentation have been observed. Swelling, redness itching can also last for how many days.

Scar Removal Procedure

To give you an idea of the procedure, below is an example on how it works, which is done by a doctor:

Area around the scar will be cleaned, numbing cream or local anesthetic will be given.
Protective goggle is needed if the scar is on your face.
Wet gauze or towel is placed near the scarred area so that laser pulses will be absorbed.
Over the scar tissue, laser will pass over. A water solution or cooling saline may be applied occasionally.
Once the treatment is done, an ointment will be applied then a clean dressing will cover the treated area.

Your doctor may suggest a moisturizing lotion to be applied on the treated area up to two times a day. You will be refrained from using makeup until the redness is gone.

Laser Hair Removal during Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, this is NOT recommended because no human studies have proven the safety of laser hair removal.

It is best to wait until you’ve given birth just to be safe, even your doctor will recommend it.

Changes on Pigmentation

After the laser treatment, expect a lighter or slightly darker skin. This is a common change after the procedure. Individuals with lighter skin may experience dark spots and those that have dark skin tones may have lighter spots. Don’t fret, it’s usually temporary.

Will It Cause Cancer?

No research has shown that lasers’ light energy used for hair removal can cause cancer, but risks are always involved. The light energy pulses in laser for hair removal are only intended for heat as well as to destroy hair follicles.

It’s a myth that it can cause cancer since the radiation used is only a small amount, and it’s not harmful. There is no evidence for this concern.

Follow the Recommendation of Your Dermatologist

With proper evaluation and discussion, you will be clarified with the possible causes and risks. A specific treatment will be recommended for you to ensure safety and to avoid the risk of any complications. During your visit, always ask your doctor questions that bother your mind before deciding to undergo therapy.

Question and Answer on Pigmentation laser treatment

Here are frequently asked questions with answers about laser treatment for pigmentation:

What type of pigmentation can be treated?
Sun spots, benign hyperpigmentation, freckles, café au lait birthmarks and age spots.

Am I a good candidate?
A consultation is needed for the right assessment. If you have raised pigmentation or skin cancer history, you are not qualified for pigmentation removal.

Can any parts of the body be treated?

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