Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Karon Warren on July 23, 2020
-
How Laser Skin Treatments Remedy Skin Conditions
Using lasers to treat skin conditions continues to be a popular option to target and repair specific problem areas without harming the surrounding area. From minimizing fine lines and wrinkles to removing skin lesions to clearing acne, laser skin treatments offer a variety of cosmetic benefits, such as skin resurfacing and skin tightening. These treatments rely on two types of lasers: Ablative lasers, such as erbium (Er) lasers and carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers, remove the skin’s thin outer layer, while heating the underlying skin and stimulating collagen production. Nonablative lasers, including fractionated Er lasers and neodymium (Nd) lasers are less invasive. They stimulate collagen growth without wounding the skin.
While laser skin treatments have risks, they can be a very effective treatment for many people.
-
1. Laser skin resurfacing can help skin look younger and healthier.
One of the most common cosmetic laser skin treatments, laser skin ‘resurfacing’ uses either ablative or nonablative lasers to improve the skin’s appearance and treat minor facial flaws. This includes reducing the appearance of fine lines, removing or reducing the appearance of age spots, evening out skin tone and texture, reducing sun damage, and reducing or eliminating scars. Although it won’t erase pronounced wrinkles, the stimulated collagen production may help skin look younger and healthier.
Ablative lasers are very effective skin resurfacers, but carry a risk of scarring, irregular pigmentation, bleeding and infection. Devices that ‘fractionate’ the laser across the treatment area are less traumatic to the skin and require less downtime compared to regular ablative lasers.
-
-
2. Laser skin tightening can reduce sagging skin throughout the body.
Considered more effective, there also are minimally invasive CO2 laser skin treatments that will tighten skin, but these require downtime of approximately one week. Regardless of technique, the results are not permanent and subsequent treatments may be needed.
Using a laser skin treatment is ideal for people wanting to reduce sagging skin without surgery. If you want to tighten and lift skin without cutting into or puncturing the skin, there are nonablative laser skin treatments that can send heat deep into the skin without damaging the skin’s top layer. This is especially effective for loose skin on the upper arms and belly. However, you may need multiple treatments to achieve the desired results.
-
3. Laser skin treatments can fix broken blood vessels or spider veins.
Although they may not pose a health hazard, broken blood vessels or unsightly spider veins in the face may start to mar one’s appearance. To remove these lesions, laser skin treatments—typically pulsed dye, diode and neodymium (Nd) lasers—send photons to the veins’ cells, which heat up and destroy the blood vessel. Over time, the vein will shrink and dissolve until it is gone. While laser treatments are preferred for facial spider veins, and possibly on other body parts, it is rarely used to treat spider veins in the legs. Intense pulsed light (IPL) has also been used for broken blood vessels.
-
4. Lasers are very effective in removing tattoos.
Through the years, it’s not uncommon for someone with a tattoo to regret getting that “forever” memento. However, as laser technologies have improved, tattoos are no longer the permanent fixture they once were. Today, so-called ‘Q-switched’ Nd lasers are used to remove tattoos by breaking up the tattoo’s pigment colors using a high-intensity beam of light. To be effective, the laser light color must match the pigment color. Only black tattoo pigment will absorb all laser colors, or wavelengths, making it the easiest to remove.
-
5. Acne can be reduced, but not eliminated, with lasers.
For those suffering from severe acne, lasers can provide some relief to this skin condition. However, it requires a trial-and-error treatment plan. Most people will need a series of treatments to see results. In addition, there’s no one single laser or light treatment therapy to treat acne; it requires different types of lasers and lights to find an effective combination. Also, while laser treatments may result in some clearing, they will not completely clear up acne. Dermatologists use both ablative and nonablative lasers to treat acne and acne scarring.
-
-
6. Laser treatment can repair sun-damaged skin.
Sun damage from ultraviolet rays can affect the skin in several ways. These include fine and coarse wrinkles; pigment changes, such as brown spots; moles; and red, scaly lesions. Some of these could even evolve into skin cancer. Laser skin treatments repair and regenerate skin cells in these areas by sending photons deep into the skin. The mitochondria in the skin use those photons to increase healthy cell production. In addition, increased production of enzymes, collagen, and cell growth promotes healing.
Pulsed dye, Nd, and nonablative fractionated lasers can improve the look of sun-damaged skin.
Learn more about the different types of laser skin resurfacing and what factors to consider in choosing the procedure(s) you want.
Types of Laser Skin Treatments & What They Do
