By Nasrin Mani, M.D.
Cosmetic laser treatments are used to improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, stretch marks, acne scarring and skin discoloration from aging and sun damage. The laser’s energy penetrates the skin and promotes the growth of new healthy and tighter skin. A number of different cosmetic lasers can be used to achieve specific purposes.
- Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Fine lines and wrinkles are often the product of skin that is not elastic enough. By removing the outer layers of skin, an ablative laser, such as a CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser or erbium:YAG stimulates a healing response so new skin has more collagen and elastin, which means fewer wrinkles. CO2 lasers are very precise and remove thin layers of skin with minimal heat damage to the surrounding structures.
- Skin Tightening: Because CO2 laser resurfacing can increase the elasticity, they are also very successful in skin tightening. Recently, there has been much interest in less aggressive treatments using nonlaser, light-based treatments, such as Titan infrared devices and Thermage radio-frequency based systems.
- Pigmented Lesions: Pulsed dye, Nd:YAG and fractional (Fraxel) lasers are effective at treating pigmented lesions, such as sun spots, age spots and other forms of hyperpigmentation. Less invasive treatments include nonlaser, light-based treatments, such as IPL and BBL.
- Acne Scars: CO2 laser resurfacing not only increases the elasticity of the skin, but stimulates your body to fill in acne scars. The erbium:YAG, fractional laser and certain nonablative lasers show promise in treating more superficial acne scarring.
To find out more about different types of lasers used for cosmetic enhancements and you are in the San Diego area, please contact one of our friendly skin specialists and schedule a complimentary consultation.
