September often feels like the time to return to things: back to school, back to routines, back to…laser treatments?

That’s right! In our world, fall marks the safe return to photosensitizing treatments and products, like laser resurfacing, retinol or alpha/beta hydroxy acids (AHAs/BHAs).

While it’s not technically unsafe to have laser treatments or use retinol during the summer, time spent outdoors in sunny weather puts vulnerable post-treatment skin at greater risk of damage. Therefore, diligence with responsible sun protection is imperative. For that reason, many professionals recommend avoiding certain treatments and skin care ingredients during peak summer months when we’re more likely to be outside.

As the days get shorter and we spend more time indoors, it’s easier to protect your skin post-treatment.

And if you’re already thinking about the coming holiday season, now’s the perfect time to get ready for glowing, holiday skin.

Laser 101

Mention of laser treatment can conjure up scary Halloween-like images in people’s minds! But rest assured there are lots of options available when it comes to laser technology. Treatments can range from light and superficial with no downtime, right through to aggressive resurfacing. We’re going to break down the basics!

Let’s go back to science class for a moment. LASER stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. It’s a form of light-based treatment. The smallest particle of light energy is called a photon. Light energy is measured by the frequency of wavelengths, in units of nanometers (nm). The visible light that we see falls in the range of 400 nm (violet) to 780 nm (red). Below 400 nm is in the ultraviolet range and above 780 nm is in the infrared range. Depending on the device, cosmetic lasers may use wavelengths from 400 nm all the way to 10,000+ nm! 

However, it's not just the wavelength that determines the outcome of a laser treatment. It’s together with how the energy is delivered to the skin that affects whether the treatment is light, moderate or aggressive. Laser devices allow the technician to set the amount of energy delivered and the intensity, depending on skin type and the concern(s) being addressed.

Non-ablative vs Ablative

Laser energy needs to be absorbed by something (a target) in order to have an effect. Target might refer to hyperpigmentation (brown spots), vasculature (redness, broken capillaries, dilated vessels), acne blemishes, hair root bulbs in the case of laser hair reduction, or even the water molecules in your cells.

Non-ablative laser uses a process called selective photothermolysis (photo refers to light, thermo refers to heat, lysis refers to damage). A specific wavelength of light is absorbed by a particular target. The laser selectively heats up and damages the target without damaging the surrounding tissue. 

The damaged target is then cleared by your body, which creates new healthy tissue in its place. Since the surrounding tissue is not damaged, there is minimal downtime, sometimes none at all.

On the other hand, ablative laser targets water molecules in the skin, which instantly heat up and vaporize the superficial layers. This creates a controlled dermal injury. Your body then clears the injured tissue and generates new healthy tissue in its place. Downtime and discomfort with this type of laser varies by aggressiveness, but ranges from moderate to significant.

Fractional Laser

The good news is that most lasers on the market today are fractional, which means they use an array of tiny columns of energy (each column just 1/10 the size of a hair follicle) to affect a fraction of the skin at a time. The columns of injury are interspersed with areas of untreated skin, which makes recovery time much faster.

Surgical Laser

Laser Treatments at DERM Lab 

So which types of laser treatments do we offer here at DERM Lab? See below for a quick summary. 

If you’re curious about laser treatments and how they might factor into your skin care plan, come see us for a consultation! All skin care journeys in our office begin with a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist, to ensure that your skin is properly assessed and that the treatments offered are appropriate for your skin type and concerns.

Trust your skin to the experts in dermatology!

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