Light and laser treatments can be an effective way to improve your skin, but they can be overwhelming for someone who is new to them. This article will help you understand the basics and prepare you for a consultation. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve highlighted three key factors to consider when choosing a treatment: primary areas of concern, skin tone, and downtime.
At Rejuvenate, our staff are experts in laser skin treatments, with years of experience and ongoing training. We take the time to understand each patient’s unique skin type and concerns, and recommend treatments accordingly
A Quick Overview of Lasers & How They Work:
The word laser stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. To better understand this, lasers produce a very narrow beam of light that is useful in targeting issues regarding tone, texture, and coloration.
Lasers use light and heat energy to cause controlled damage to the surface of the skin – when the body reacts, new skin is created as the body begins to heal itself (aka begins producing collagen – the ultimate repairer).
As light and laser technology continues to evolve, a variety of treatment options have become available to address specific concerns. Let’s explore the options and help you find the best treatment for you.
Let’s Get Started… What is your Primary Area of Concern?
Look through the images below, which image represents your skin concerns most closely?
If A, B, or C represent issues you are currently seeing in your skin, you will most likely be targeting a pigmentation issue. Skin pigmentation concerns begin deep within the skin’s barrier and are often a result of increased melanin, sun exposure, scarring, and skin injuries.
Non-ablative treatments, such as light and laser therapies, are effective in addressing discoloration and other skin issues without causing significant downtime or altering the skin’s texture.
A non-ablative light & laser treatment we have to offer here at Rejuvenate is:
If D, E, or F represent issues you are currently seeing in your skin, you will most likely be targeting a textural issue. Skin texture concerns present themselves closer to the surface of the skin’s barrier and are often a result of dead skin cell buildup (uneven skin), your environment (pollutants), aging, and acne scarring.
Ablative treatments are the most powerful way to address issues with light and laser. These treatments remove the surface layer of skin, resulting in a more noticeable change to the complexion, but also require a longer recovery period.
We do not currently offer ablative laser treatments at Rejuvenate, but a good alternative for a skin renewal look would be a:
Now that we have a better understanding of your skin concerns, let’s talk about your skin tone.
Light & laser treatments are not a ‘one size fit’s all’ so, knowing your skin tone is crucial.
Certain light and laser treatments can have negative effects on skin of color due to the higher concentration of pigment in darker tones.
The Fitzpatrick scale is commonly used to determine a person’s skin tone and aid in selecting appropriate treatments at our clinic.
When identifying your skin tone, it is important to choose a shade that closely matches your own and to consider your skin sensitivity. Starting with this approach can be helpful, but keep in mind that a consultation with one of our experts will provide all the necessary information.
Last but not least, how much downtime do you have for this procedure?
Are you looking for a lunch break treatment or can you spare 2 weeks? Time does play a role in the treatments you can select
It is important to consider the recovery period for different light and laser treatments as it can vary. While some treatments may have no downtime, others may require up to a month of recovery. When planning for a consultation, it’s important to keep in mind any upcoming events, work schedules, or other potential conflicts that may impact your recovery time and communicate this to your expert.
Book Your Light & Laser Appointment at Rejuvenate!
After learning about the basics of light and laser treatments, it’s time to move forward with your treatment plan.
Our experts have emphasized that the key to achieving the best results is effective communication. During your consultation, it is important to be clear and honest about your desired outcome.
Overall, we have just skimmed the surface of light and laser treatments. With this foundation of information, you can go forth into your consultation confidently, and know exactly what questions to come equipped with. Let’s chat about your treatment options today!