How Lasers Compare to Other Skin Treatments

Skin treatments are extremely popular these days, and understandably so. There are a lot of environmental and genetic factors that can lead to the development of certain skin conditions. But the natural process of aging also changes the skin as each of us ages. If you are finding yourself struggling with wrinkles or other skin problems, you should understand how laser treatments compare to other skin procedures that are available to you. That way you can make an informed choice about how to treat your skin.

Laser Procedures Damage Your Skin on Purpose

One negative thing you may have heard about lasers is that you can damage your skin. That is true, but generally speaking they do that damage on purpose. Non-ablative lasers are actually designed to damage the collagen that lies in lower layers of skin cells. The intention is that your body will immediately try to repair that damage by producing more collagen. In the process of repairing the damage done by the laser, previous skin damage will also be repaired, such as minor wrinkles.

There is also laser aesthetic equipment that is known as ablative. Ablative lasers are typically used to resurface the skin. Procedures that use those machines are also often known as laser peels. They can remove dead skin cells, but they can also damage the healthy skin below, and they may leave you temporarily more open to developing infections in your skin.

Side Effects and Issues Associated with Laser Treatments

Aside from skin infections that you could get after some laser treatments, you are also likely to have redness and swelling for a day or two after your appointment is over. During the appointment itself you could also experience some discomfort or require anesthetic so that you don't.

Having the wrong type of laser procedure for your skin type can also be hazardous. It can lead to burns, blisters, or discolored patches of skin. If your skin is either quite dark or extremely oily, you need to be especially careful about selecting the right laser treatment, or you need to seek non-laser alternatives.

Other Light Procedures Offer Less Invasive Alternatives

One of those non-laser alternatives is that you can have a different type of light procedure. Intense pulsed light (IPL) and LED light treatments both offer safer options. They don't produce the concentrated heat of lasers. Instead, they use specific types of light to influence collagen production inside your body without actually doing more damage to your cells in the process.

Non-Light Treatments Are Also Available

There are also plenty of skin treatments available that don't involve light at all. For instance, you could choose to have ultrasound or radio frequency treatments, which use sound waves to vibrate materials inside your skin cells. Those vibrations can help collagen tighten up, slowly smoothing out wrinkles.

For minor skin problems, you also have the option of using creams and lotions. You can do that in the comfort of your own home. There are also certain skincare treatments, such as micro-needling, which can be combined with the use of medicated creams to repair your skin even faster. So, before you sign up for the first laser or other skincare procedure you see, consult your local skincare clinician. Have your skin fully assessed and see what form of skincare you actually need.