Laser Facial Treatment

From 1997 to 2007, the number of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed in the United States increased by 754 percent, according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Laser treatment, as a method of correcting and combating the signs of aging, is one of the top five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures that caters to America's obsession with youthful physical appearance. Laser facial treatment has reached far beyond the borders of the upscale urban markets it once solely served, spreading its accessibility into a much broader range of consumers. With sessions priced between $150 to $1,500, depending on the goals and sources of treatment, laser facial surgery is an effective way to reverse the signs of aging and resolve skin irregularities.

Reasons for Treatment

The face is usually the first part of the body to demonstrate the signs of aging caused by both intrinsic and extrinsic aging factors. The natural aging process, determined by genetics, can be hastened by external factors; hence, the age range of laser treatment patients is from twentysomething to upwards of 60 years of age. Exposure to UV rays is the typical cause of skin discoloration, one of the top reasons patients seek laser facial treatment. Hyperpigmentation comes in the form of liver spots and age spots, but can also be seen in skin conditions such as melasma, which is not caused by the sun, but, rather, is a result of pregnancy or menopause. Undesirable birth marks, scars (especially acne scars), broken capillaries, stretch marks and spider veins in the face are other reasons patients opt for laser facial solutions. Laser facial treatments can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

How it Works

Laser facial treatments are non-surgical cosmetic procedures requiring no incisions through the skin or entrance into the body through a cavity. High-intensity, plasma energy-filled laser beams penetrate the epidermal layer of the skin at varying depths, depending on the skin's condition and the desired results, as well as the type of laser technology used in the procedure. Undesirable skin cells and clusters of skin cells, such as those areas where melanin cells have over-accumulated, are dissolved or destroyed. Some laser technology targets microscopic channels that do not affect the surrounding healthy cells, while others use heat across the entire outer layer of the skin. In either case, new skin cell growth is promoted from the inside out by the stimulation of collagen production. The shedding of the skin's dead cells reveals a new, "fresher" layer of skin.

Effects

Laser facial treatment is most often used for corrective purposes. By destroying the unwanted skin cells, the treatment diminishes age spots and other irregularities in skin color. Broken capillaries and redness around the nose can be resolved in one or two sessions. The number of sessions required to make age spots and other forms of hyperpigmentation disappear depends on the magnitude of the problem. A reduction in fine lines and wrinkles results as the skin is "filled" with new cell growth from the inside out, but this requires more than just a few sessions, and patients with this goal may benefit from ProFractional laser treatment over other options. A healing period of two to three weeks is typical between sessions. Results are long-term to permanent. If laser facial treatment is used more as a preventative anti-aging method rather than corrective, the visible improvements can first be seen in the complexion and radiance that results from one session of pealing off old cells and evening out the skin tone.

Where to Seek Treatment

Laser facial treatments were once offered exclusively through the offices of dermatologists and plastic surgeons. High demand and subsequent market growth have changed this. "MedSpas" are businesses that combine cosmetic medical procedures with the services of spas and beauty salons. The number of MedSpas has grown to more than 2,500 in the United States. MedSpas offer laser facial treatment, as do a growing number of electrologists and other nonmedical professionals. National and state medical boards are currently pushing for regulation of laser treatments so that nonmedical professionals, which also include aestheticians and cosmotologists, are required to undergo special training and certification in order to legally (and safely) administer the service. Until then, patients considering laser facial treatment should consult a dermatologist.

Warning

The "fresh" layer of skin that results from laser treatment is extremely sensitive to environmental influences, especially UV rays. Between sessions of laser facial treatment and post-treatment, it is crucial to apply high-strength SPF protection before leaving the house, at all times. If a substantial amount of laser treatment was performed (say, for instance, deep resurfacing treatment for wrinkle correction), the patient should wear a wide-brimmed hat outdoors, in addition to the SPF application on the face.

References

• Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Statistics Reported by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
• "New Standards Urged for Treatment at Spas" The Boston Globe, February 24, 2009

Resources

• LaserTreatments.com