Laser can help treat more skin problems
From removing birthmarks to reducing wrinkles, dermatologists can use laser treatments to help patients in more ways than ever.
Tina S. Alster, MD, FAAD, clinical professor of dermatology, Georgetown University, Washington says a dermatologist may use one device to treat redness, another to treat brown spots and another to treat sagging skin — all during the same patient visit.
“These ‘mega combination’ treatments allow dermatologists to provide patients with truly revitalized skin in just one treatment session,” she says. “We can optimize their results while minimizing the amount of time they have to spend in the office.”
In addition to the rejuvenation of aging skin, Dr. Alster says, lasers can be utilized to treat patients with “a whole host of conditions,” including vascular birthmarks, hyperpigmentation, and scarring from acne, surgery or trauma. These devices also may be used to remove tattoos or unwanted hair.
Moreover, Dr. Alster said, lasers have become more specialized over the years, so each device is designed specifically for the condition it’s used to treat, making laser procedures highly effective. “There are lasers for patients of all ages and skin types,” she says. “It really runs the gamut.”
The development of fractionated lasers for skin resurfacing also allows dermatologists to provide an improved experience for patients, Dr. Alster says. Fractionated lasers use the same amount of energy as older models, she says, but that energy is broken up into smaller doses, offering safer, more effective treatment. “Today’s lasers allow us to provide a rejuvenating effect with less trauma to the skin,” she says. “That means a lower risk of complications and shorter recovery time for patients.”
While laser treatments have many benefits, they also carry the risk of complications, including burns, hyperpigmentation and scarring. In order to reduce this risk, Dr. Alster says, it’s important for patients to ensure that their laser procedures are performed by a properly trained and suitably experienced medical professional.
“It does matter whose hand is holding the laser; the laser is not doing the work itself,” she says. “If lasers are used improperly, there can be side effects and complications that could have been avoided.”
Dr. Alster recommends that patients seek laser treatments from a board-certified physician — preferably a board-certified dermatologist. “Experience counts,” she says. “Doctors get better with their lasers as they use them, sort of like how a cook gets better in the kitchen.”
Category: Features, Technology & Devices
