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Med spas and aesthetic clinics are the pampering’s and rejuvenating destinations for most American women who want to recover or attain their overall well-being. These clinics and spas offer a variety of aesthetic services. One of the most reliable treatments known to be effective and safe are Laser treatment.
Laser Services have been proven to eliminate skin aging indicators such as wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, dark spots, scars, and other impurities. With a wide variety of laser services, it is hard for candidates to choose what will work best to attain smooth, glowing, and youthful skin.
You might be asking whether laser treatment works best for you. Every one of the treatments has its advantages and disadvantages, and having an understanding and knowledge of each one of them would help you find which will work best for you. You should learn the main details are how they work, the recovery time, its effectiveness, the duration of effect, and their costs.
We will not focus on the brands of these lasers, but we’ll tackle more about the types. Before you get to their distinctions, let’s take a closer look at laser treatment in general.
Laser Light Treatments target various yet specific colors and pigments in the skin. Laser Services/Treatments vary on the light that they project and utilize. Depending on the treatment, the laser is set to a controlled and physically tolerable temperature. It creates tiny wounds that stimulate the skin to produce more collagen and elastin fibers. Collagen and elastin fibers are naturally present proteins in the body responsible for your regenerative ability, in this aspect, the skin. As the skin heals and regenerates, the proteins build a firmer, tighter, and even-toned, and even-textured feel and appearance.
Given the details earlier, you might be asking what makes laser treatments distinct from each other and which of them is the best. The most reliable way of knowing so is by understanding them one by one.
Broad-Band Light or Intense Pulsed Light
How it works
Compared to other laser treatments that use a single wavelength of light energy, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) utilizes multiple wavelengths to eliminate skin impurities. This gives IPL the advantage of treating larger areas of skin faster. IPL is designed to remove pigments accurately and damage skin cells. The treatment also gets rid of hair vellus hairs.
Broad-Band Light or Intense Pulsed Light Uses
Some laser treatments work on specific targets, and some don’t. It is essential to know their uses to see if the treatment could help you. Here are the target areas and impurities targeted by Broad-band Light or Intense Pulsed Light Treatment:
- Birthmarks
- Hyperpigmentation
- Melasma
- Acne Scars
- Scars
- Stretch Marks
- Spider Veins
- Wrinkles
- Skin damage caused by sun
- Rosacea
Results and Duration
The results of IPL Treatment are remarkably excellent. It gets rid of the skin impurities mentioned above. It is also safe and proven effective. Hence it is approved by the FDA. However, no matter how effective a treatment is, the effect somehow gradually fades as time passes. For IPL, the results become noticeable after a week or two. It is advisable to undergo two to three sessions to get the most out of the treatment. The glowing and youthful skin lasts for up to a year for some, while with proper aftercare and regular annual sessions, it could last decades.
Cost
The average cost of IPL Treatment is around $700 to $1,200 per session. The price depends on the size of the target area, the desired result, the geographic location, and the professional’s fee.
Non-ablative Laser Treatments
How it works
The treatment uses fractions and thousands of tiny wavelengths that address pigmentations, wrinkles, and scars on the skin. The skin is encouraged to heal faster than the ablative version of the treatment using fractions of wavelengths. The treatment encourages the skin to stimulate an increase in collagen production, resulting in tighter, healthier, even-toned skin.
Non-ablative Laser Treatment Uses
These are the common targets areas for Non-ablative Laser Treatment:
- Scars
- Acne Scars
- Wrinkles
- Age spots
Results and Duration
Non-ablative Laser Treatment is a good option for treating skin impurities. What makes it unique is the shortened recovery time necessary for the treatment. It uses fractions of laser light that heat the subcutaneous layer of the skin. Thousands of tiny columns of micro-wounds do not cause too many skin tears, unlike ablative laser treatments. Hence, the recovery time is significantly faster than the latter. In addition to this, risks, side effects, and complications are also significantly reduced.
Since the skin takes time to produce collagen, the full effect of Non-ablative Laser Treatment takes several months to appear. You might even need to go through 3 to 5 sessions of treatment with 2-6 weeks intervals to achieve the desired result.
Cost
On average, Non-ablative laser treatment ranges between $1,000 and $1,500. This depends on the size of the area, the number of treatments, and the desired results. The treatment’s effects last for several years. However, it is not permanent.
Ablative Laser Treatment
How it works
Compared to Non-ablative laser treatment, this ablative version of aesthetic service treatment uses an intense wavelength of laser light. The intense wavelength of laser light eliminates the outer layer of the skin, encouraging the deeper skin to surface and produce a new set of layers. Since the skin is renewed, the skin results in a glow and youthfulness like it never had before.
Ablative Laser Treatment Uses
Many patients consider ablative Laser Treatment for the following impurities:
- Liver spots
- Age spots
- Uneven Skin Tone
- Fine and moderate wrinkles
- Acne scars and other kinds of scars
- Skin damage to the sun
Results and Duration
Ablative Laser Treatment causes micro-wounds on the skin since it removes the outer layer of the skin. The recovery time required to avoid complications can be longer than the non-ablative ones. However, since the treatment uses intense wavelengths of lasers, you can expect better and longer-lasting results. In addition to this, a single treatment can be enough to get rid of skin-aging indicators and impurities. Most patients experience results that last for as long as five years or even more. On the other hand, you can expect more side effects from the treatment, but these are entirely normal.
Cost
Ablative Laser Treatments typically cost around $1,800 to $2,500. Non-ablative Laser treatments are slightly lower than ablative laser treatments.
Other Form of Treatments and Resurfacing
Other treatments use different forms or modals of energy to treat skin-aging indicators and impurities. There are Radio Frequency, ultrasound, and thermal energy treatments. These are FDA-approved for treating the mentioned impurities and are proven safe and effective by the patients. Med spas and aesthetic clinics offer these treatments, and they also have respective advantages and disadvantages.
The Best Laser Treatment
So now that you’ve learned the differences and distinctions of ablative laser, non-ablative laser, IPL Treatment, and other forms of treatments, it’s about time to know which one is the best. And it’s none other than… all of them. There’s no specific laser service that received the “best treatment” award. The answer to the question is that it depends on your needs and preference. If you’re looking for a treatment that would last longer and provide an excellent result, the best option for you will be Ablative Laser Treatment. If you’re looking for a milder procedure and gradual effects since you don’t mind waiting and enjoy the process, Non-ablative treatment is the best one for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a faster procedure, then there’s IPL Treatment. It all depends on which you think works best for you.
In addition to this, if you happen to have a darker shade of skin, you should take precautions on undergoing the procedure. There are treatments that are specially designed for you. Examples of these are brands of Non-ablative treatments such as Clear + Brilliant®, Fraxel Dual®, and Lutronic Ultra®. Consult your doctor for which treatment would work for your skin tone.
To get the most out of your treatment, make sure to choose the best aesthetic service provider and medspa. You should also take the best pre-procedure and post-procedure care to prevent complications and severe side effects. You can consult your doctor regarding which is best for you as they know better.
Do you want to experience the best laser treatment and achieve the best results? It all depends on who performs the procedure. Diamond Advanced Aesthetics is here to make you shine even brighter than diamond. Her works and certifications will inspire you. And you’ll be astonished at how the results manifest through her overall well-being. We would like to introduce you, Julija Dimante, a Registered Nurse specializing in aesthetics treatments, cosmetic injections, lasers, and energy devices. Contact Diamond Advanced Aesthetics