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How do laser facials work?
Laser facial treatments are fantastic for many skin concerns, they help refresh the skin and improve many skin conditions, including age spots, wrinkles, scars, sagging skin, unwanted hair, and tattoos.
Lasers can target many different structures in the skin.
Our Q10 Q-Switch laser is fantastic at treating Pigment in the outer layer of the skin is targeted for treating sunspots caused by sun damage.
Our Fractional CO2 ablative laser treatment is the best treatment for Wrinkles and scars by resurfacing and enhancing the treatment of deeper dermal tissues.
Tattoos are lightened and cleared by a selective absorption of laser energy that reaches the tattoo ink particles below the outer layer of the skin this also uses our Q10 Q-Switch laser.
We have the best laser hair removal treatment for unwanted hair in various areas is also selectively targeted by lasers that impact the root of the hair deeper in the skin, Our Primelase is the best laser hair removal machine on the market.
Benefits of laser facial treatments
About ten lasers are used for skin treatments, and while they all work similarly, they have different abilities. Good quality medical grade lasers are gold star devices used in many skin clinic, providing aesthetic and medical benefits.
Lasers are unique for many concerns and work deeper and more effectively than old-style facial treatments such as microneedling. Different lasers are suitable for various problems from sun damage to acne scarring, rough texture, pigmentation and rosacea – laser treatments are the future of facials for a good reason.
While laser facials fall in the non-surgical category, they are complex, and no treatment/laser suits everyone or every concern. Often, laser treatments require commitment, with regular appointments to ensure better results than just a single clinic visit.
Different types of laser facials
Ablative and non-ablative laser treatments
When researching laser facial treatments, you are likely to see various treatments described as ‘ablative laser treatments’ or ‘non-ablative laser treatments’. The main difference is that an ablative laser treatment will remove/destroy the upper layer of the skin. In contrast, non-ablative laser treatments leave the epidermis intact, bypassing it to tackle the dermis beneath directly. Ablative lasers are generally considered more effective; however, they require more downtime/recovery after treatment.
Fractional laser treatments
Over the last decade, lasers have become more advanced and complex. Lasers have divided further, and now both ablative laser treatments and non-ablative lasers can be ‘fractional’. Fractional lasers have been around since the early 2000s; these types of lasers target the skin by delivering laser energy, the laser beam is divided into many small, deep columns. These are known as MTZs or microthermal treatment zones. Most Fractional lasers have a faster recovery time than non-fractional lasers, as the entire bulk of tissue has not been treated.
Preparing for a laser facial
The first step to preparing for a laser facial is selecting a suitable clinic. It is essential to research the clinic devices and experience. Poor-quality lasers and operators can cost a fortune and leave you disappointed. Not all lasers are created equally.
Once you have found a clinic, book a consultation & patch test, ask as many questions as you feel necessary, view before and after images and feedback and find out what happened if there is a problem.
Before the treatment, avoid retinol, acids, facial scrubs and sun exposure for 1-2 weeks before the treatment.
Shave the treatment area 24 hours prior to treatment to reduce sensitivity.
Follow all pre-treatment instructions. Given the specific laser facial treatment, in some cases, this may include the use of a specific skincare range to desensitise and prepare the skin. This should be provided verbally and in writing by our chosen clinic.
What to expect during a laser facial treatment
Before going ahead with a laser facial treatment, a patch test and consultation will occur. It is essential to understand when advising on the most suitable treatment and the expected number of treatments.
In most cases, the best results are seen in those with a quality active skincare regime and a healthy lifestyle. The healthier you are the skin, the quicker the healing and results will be seen.
During the laser facial treatment, you will lie comfortably on the treatment couch, where the procedure begins.
Your skin will be cleansed with a range of mild medical-grade skincare products. This will ensure that the skin is prepped, clean and bacteria-free. Once the skin is thoroughly cleansed, a layer of topical anaesthetic will be applied to the treatment area if needed to ensure the treatment is as comfortable as possible. Once the topical anaesthetic has worked its magic, the treatment will begin.
Immediately afterwards, your skin may feel warm and sensitive to the touch and appear firm and red, as though you have moderate sunburn. Our Norwich skin specialist will use our air coolant or ice rollers to cool the skin.
Once you are comfortable and our specialist is happy, a light moisturiser and SPF will be applied, and the treatment will be completed.
Post-treatment care for laser treatments
The post-treatment response will vary from client to client. This depends on the skin’s sensitivity.
Pinkness is the most common complaint of post-laser patients, it is a normal part of the healing process and a sign of newly formed skin. Pinkness is highly variable and can last several weeks in some patients and several months in other patients. A general rule is that the longer the pinkness, the better the result, as more collagen is being formed. However, when pinkness is extreme or longer lasting than expected, it can be a sign of over-aggressive scrubbing, rubbing, or an irritating substance being applied.
To ensure fast healing after a laser facial
- Drink plenty of water to keep the skin hydrated.
- Sleep with your head on pillows above your heart’s level.
- Apply the provided broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of factor 30-50 daily (but not for the first four days)
DO NOT
- SCRATCH, PICK OR RUB THE SKIN VIGOROUSLY.
- Apply makeup for seven days post-treatment.
- Use any form of acid exfoliant, retinol and other products that may dry or irritate the skin for four weeks post-treatment. The specific use of gentle products will be advised during your appointment.
- Undergo waxing, microdermabrasion, exfoliating facials or chemical peels on the treatment area for three months post-treatment.
- Expose the area to sun or sun tanning beds for a minimum of 4 weeks or the course duration. The risk of hyper/hypo pigmentation (lightening or darkening of the skin) significantly increases with sun exposure. We recommend this indefinitely.
- Shampoo directly on the treated area.
- Use steam rooms, saunas, hot baths, showers, and swimming pools for seven days post-treatment.
Results of laser facial treatments
Results will differ from person to person. The key to any facial treatment is lifestyle habits and a skincare regimen. The healthier the body and skin, the quicker we expect healing and more prominent results. Some laser facial results can be seen after just 72 hours. Others take up to three months to see results.
Risks and side effects of laser facial treatments
With most laser treatments, there is a risk of hyperpigmentation, which trauma takes place when the skin darkens. This is managed using specific skincare products and experienced skin specialists using the correct protocols on safe medical-grade laser machines. Some lasers, mainly ablative, risk scarring again due to trauma to training of the laser practitioner; if machines are set at the wrong frequency or directed at areas for too long, this can cause the skin to burn and leave patches where the pigment has been scorched. Some clinics turn up the power of their machines to try to improve results, which is extremely dangerous.
All risks will be discussed verbally and in writing before any laser treatment. An up-to-date medical history form, including lists of medication and medical conditions essential before a laser treatment. Certain medications and conditions can increase the risk of complications.
Choosing the right provider for your laser treatments
Medical laser devices and the experience of the laser specialists are super important.
To protect yourself, ask about the devices/laser machines, staff training and experience and make sure a thorough, detailed consultation takes place, discussing your medical history, concerns, and expectations. A patch test should be performed to check your skin sensitivity and left to review for 24-48 hours before committing to a full procedure.
Don’t be tempted by highly discounted treatments, as this can be the way of getting a customer to a new clinic or specialist. We are competitively priced for the expertise and professionalism we provide every client.
Ready to book your treatment?
Laser facial treatments are fantastic for almost every concern. But choose the right clinic, machines and specialist to ensure the very best safe results.
We offer many complimentary laser consultations to allow you to come along to the clinic, meet our experienced medical team and find out how we can treat your concern. You can also read through our glowing feedback on our Google or Facebook pages.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch and we are happy to help!
