While most of us are aware that lasers are widely utilised by industries to help streamline their manufacturing processes by laser cutting, there are relatively few of us who know that the technology is also being by those in the cosmetic industry.
In fact lasers are being utilised in the cosmetic industry to help enhance the physical appearance of people. But not with the same device, obviously.
Not to be confused with light therapy, lasers are used for a wide range of aesthetic applications. Let’s have a look at the most popular types of beauty procedures that are performed using lasers:
Hair Removal
Thanks to lasers, we now have a safe and effective way to remove any unwanted hair on our body. The procedure is called laser hair removal, and it involves using a concentrated beam of light that is gentle enough to be not that painful to your body (very minor discomfort), but is tough enough to destroy the hair follicles on your skin and temporarily disable their ability to regrow hair. Multiple sessions are usually required for laser hair removal to be successful, and the treatment’s effects may last anywhere from a few months up to an entire year.
Stretch Mark Removal
Laser skin resurfacing removes stretch marks by destroying the outer layer of skin. Basically, it is a procedure that involves shooting a concentrated beam of light to encourage new growth in the target area, where changes may be noticeable after several weeks. There are two types of lasers used for skin resurfacing: ablative lasers, which destroy the upper layer of skin, and non-ablative lasers, which target the underlying areas of the skin’s surface. While the specific kind of treatment depends on the skin type and other factors, both ablative and non-ablative lasers are effective and can last for years.
Line and Wrinkle Treatment
When treating eye-area fine lines and wrinkles via laser, skin resurfacing is the procedure usually used for reducing them. It involves directing short, concentrated pulsating beams of light at the target area, removing skin layer by layer with extreme precision, and the procedure can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. A combination of skin tightening and skin resurfacing procedures can also be utilised to remedy the skin issue. Furthermore, the invention of small, handheld fractional laser devices enables people to banish eye wrinkles from the comfort of their home.
Acne and Acne Scar Removal
For the treatment of active acne, laser treatments have been proven to be very effective at reducing acne, albeit not 100%. Similar to the other laser beauty procedures in this list, active acne removal via laser therapy usually requires a series of treatments, with follow-up treatments often necessary to maintain results. And for the removal of acne scars, dermatologists use different types of lasers to get the job done. For instance, the CO2 laser is one of the best when it comes to treating deep acne scarring.
Tattoo Removal
Getting rid of old tattoos effectively and efficiently was impossible in the past. But with the advancements in laser technology, we can finally say goodbye to all of our embarrassing tattoos in a way that is better far superior to other tattoo removal methods. Using a high-intensity light beam, a laser tattoo removal machine ablates the target area and destroys the tattoo ink along with surrounding tissue structures. Laser tattoo removal requires a number of repeat visits for it to be successful, and the removal technique to be used depends on the colour of your skin and the deepness of the tattoo pigment.