Laser and Light Therapies

How does Laser Treatment work?

Laser treatments work by selecting a specific wavelength of light that is readily absorbed by the target tissue. For example, when treating pigmentation, the target tissue is melanin; for spider veins it is blood; and for wrinkles and skin rejuvenation it is water.

The laser emits a frequency of light with all the lightwaves going in the same direction, allowing the target tissue to absorb the maximum amount of heat. The target tissue is then heated to a temperature high enough to destroy it and achieve the desired result without damaging the adjacent normal tissue. 

Most lasers work in one of two ways: 

• Ablative lasers (including the CO2 laser) vaporise the surface layers of the skin and heat the underlying skin to kickstart your body’s natural repair processes and to stimulate the production of new collagen.
  
• Non-ablative lasers create a heat-induced injury in the dermis without damaging the skin’s surface to stimulate collagen growth.

Both types of lasers can be delivered “fractionally” – in other words, only microscopic columns of tissue are treated which allows the surrounding untreated tissue to activate and expedite healing.

What is fractional laser treatment?

In the past, CO2 laser treatment, while extremely effective, was reserved for only the most extreme cases due to the extensive downtime required. The advent of fractionated CO2 laser technology, where microbeams or “dots” of skin are treated while surrounding skin is left intact, has made it possible to achieve the results of traditional CO2 laser resurfacing with fewer side effects, significantly less downtime and more rapid healing.

The fractional CO2 laser works by delivering heat via tiny “dots” that penetrate into the skin, triggering a natural healing process. The thermal damage causes collagen shrinkage, which is responsible for most of the skin tightening and skin thickening. By leaving the skin around each dot intact, it enables the surrounding tissue to heal these microscopic thermal injuries by stimulating the production of new collagen. The treatment decreases fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, uneven pigmentation and promotes a more youthful and fresher complexion.

Results

Results and downtime for laser treatments vary depending on the depth and strength of treatment and the type of laser used (ablative vs non-ablative). 

Most patients notice improvement in skin texture and tone within days, however more significant improvements in skin tightness, wrinkles and overall rejuvenation are usually seen around 1 month post treatment and continue for up to one year.

What to expect

Swelling and redness can be expected after a laser treatment, normally subsiding after a few days. Full healing following an ablative CO2 laser treatment can take several weeks, depending on the intensity of treatment and the areas targeted. Non-ablative laser treatment requires minimal downtime and recovery compared with ablative laser. 

A more mild treatment may take several sessions, while one procedure is usually sufficient for a more aggressive treatment.

As with any procedure, the success of laser treatment is highly dependent on the skill level and knowledge of the person performing it, as well as the laser system itself. All of the laser treatments offered at Pavilion Cosmetic Medical are performed by our highly skilled and experienced laser experts using the most advanced laser technologies.