What are laser treatments?

Laser treatments use a focused beam of light energy to target skin concerns and precisely improve the skin’s appearance. There are two types: ablative and nonablative laser skin resurfacing.

Ablative laser treatments carefully remove the skin’s outer layer. This process eliminates surface damage and reveals fresher skin underneath. Ablative laser skin resurfacing also stimulates the body’s natural healing response, which creates new collagen to repair the damage. 

Collagen is a protein in the body’s connective tissues, making your skin appear tight and responsive. As you age, collagen levels decline, causing your skin to thin, wrinkle, and sag.

Nonablative laser treatments preserve the skin’s outer layer while creating control injuries beneath its surface. These treatments also stimulate collagen for firmer, tighter skin. 

Are there different laser treatments?

Advanced Medical & Surgical Dermatology offers several laser treatments, including:

Fractional laser

Fractional lasers target fractions of skin. They create columns of microscopic injuries to penetrate deep into your skin without damaging the healthy surrounding tissue.

Intense-pulsed light (IPL)

While lasers address skin concerns with a single wavelength of light, IPL uses multiple wavelengths. IPL can typically treat broader areas but isn’t as strong as laser treatments. 

Nd:YAG

This device has two wavelengths — 1064 nm and 532 nm — to target different skin concerns and effectively treat various conditions, such as vascular lesions and pigmented lesions. They are also used for hair and tattoo removal.

Which skin concerns can laser treatments target?

Laser treatments can address many different skin concerns, including:

• Unwanted hair
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Brown spots
• Hyperpigmentation
• Melasma
• Broken blood vessels
• Rosacea symptoms and redness
• Enlarged pores
• Dull skin
• Uneven tone or texture
• Unwanted tattoos
• Abnormal moles and skin growths

Dr. Bandt can target several medical and cosmetic concerns with multiple in-house lasers during your visit.

How soon will I see results after laser treatments?

Each laser treatment has different recovery times depending on the concern it targets. Most people notice visible results within 1-3 weeks of their initial treatment. Skin rejuvenation treatments that stimulate collagen production can take a series of sessions and 3-6 months to deliver their full results.

Laser treatments can significantly enhance your skin with minimal downtime. Call Anya Bandt, MD today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.