What are lasers?
Lasers are powerful devices that emit strong, focused beams of light at specific wavelengths. This light can heat and vaporize tissues for medical aesthetic purposes.
By damaging your tissues with heat, lasers promote healing in either deep or superficial layers of your skin. The controlled damage causes your skin to react as if it’s been injured and initiates the healing process to repair the damage.
There are two main types of lasers used for medical aesthetic purposes:
Ablative lasers
Ablative lasers treat superficial tissue. They heat water within your skin and cause targeted tissue to vaporize.
Non-ablative lasers
Non-ablative lasers target deeper tissues. They repair damage deep within your skin and often result in less recovery time than treatments with ablative lasers.
Intense pulsed light (IPL)
While not a laser, IPL is another powerful form of light frequently used for medical aesthetics. Unlike lasers, IPL uses many light wavelengths in a bright, scattered form.
What are my options for treatment with lasers?
Metroderm DC: Medical, Laser, and Aesthetic Dermatology Center offers options from all laser categories as well as IPL treatment. After reviewing your skin and asking about your treatment goals during a consultation, your provider might recommend:
Laser hair removal
Laser hair removal is a laser procedure that works for all skin types. Using the Lumenis® LightSheer® Duet™ for less painful hair removal or the Sciton® ClearScan YAG™ for darker skin tones, you can remove thick or excessive body hair from areas you normally wax or shave.
Laser skin resurfacing
This state-of-the-art facial rejuvenation procedure is a great way to brighten your skin. Your skin heals just 3-4 days after your MicroLaserPeel® by Sciton.
Photofacials with IPL
IPL photofacials are great for targeting pigmented spots and lesions on your skin like facial blood vessels and age spots.
You might need more than one session to achieve your desired results.
How should I care for my skin after procedures with lasers?
The laser procedures available at Metroderm DC: Medical, Laser, and Aesthetic Dermatology Center are gentle and involve minimal downtime. Your provider tells you how you can care for your skin after the procedure to avoid prolonged irritation.
Generally, you should:
- Use sunscreen every day
- Avoid harsh, direct sunlight
- Clean your skin with a gentle cleanser
- Use gentle moisturizers
Your specific laser procedure might require additional steps for aftercare.
Lasers are highly effective in treating skin concerns like spots and textural issues. To book a consultation, call Metroderm DC: Medical, Laser, and Aesthetic Dermatology Center or request an appointment online today.
We see patients for botox, fillers, acne scars, skin tightening, neck wrinkles, brown spots, and offer Radio frequency Microneedling, Threadlifting, coolpeel laser that can help treat sun damage with one day recovery and no down time. Call us to book your appointment today.
*Individual results may vary.
