Whether you’re an avid skier, a sun-worshipping beach bunny, or just someone who likes to spend time in front of a fan, chances are at some point you’ve had issues with facial redness. And if you’re anything like me, that means you’ve spent countless hours scouring the internet for solutions. I’ve tried everything from fancy creams to natural remedies, but nothing seems to work. So what’s the solution?
I’m here to tell you that laser treatment is by far the best way to get rid of facial redness. Laser energy works by targeting blood vessels and destroying them so they won’t appear red anymore. It’s completely painless and doesn’t take much time at all—in fact, most people are able to return home after their procedure! The best part about laser treatment is that it has no side effects or negative consequences for your skin—you can go back to your normal routine right after treatment!
You may find it hard to access the right information on the internet, so we are here to help you in the following article, providing the best and updated information on Laser for facial redness before and after , types of laser treatments for face. Read on to learn more. We at cosmeticsurgerytips have all the information that you need about how to repair laser damaged skin. Read on to learn more.
Laser for facial redness before and after
Facial spider veins, or telangiectasia, as well as facial redness and flushing commonly occur as we age. They can also develop as a result of sun damage, rosacea, pregnancy or inherited factors. At Charlotte Skin & Laser, we have vast experience helping patients achieve better looking and more comfortable skin by treating unsightly veins, redness, and flushing on the face.
We use a variety of different lasers to achieve the best reduction of redness and veins. The Vbeam pulsed dye laser is best for reduction in overall redness, flushing and very small veins. We often combine this treatment with the GentleYag laser for treatment of larger facial veins. The dual use of these lasers allows the staff at Charlotte Skin & Laser to get the best clearance possible with minimal downtime. The IPL or intense pulsed light is a gentle way to treat redness as well as brown pigmentation that can occur from sun damage. All of these of these treatments have the additional advantage of rejuvenating the skin for a fresher and smoother appearance.
Multiple treatments are usually needed in order to achieve optimal results. Treatments can be performed at intervals of four to six weeks, and your doctor will discuss with you how many sessions you will need.
Vbeam information:
Vbeam is a pulse dye laser used to minimize or remove benign vascular lesions. This laser is commonly used to treat scars and keloids, facial redness and veins – as seen with rosacea, sundamage, and aging – poikiloderma or redness that can occur with sundamage to the skin on the chest and neck, warts, psoriasis, and other benign vascular growths including angiomas (benign red moles), venous lakes, infantile hemangiomas and port wine stains (PWS).
The pulse dye laser has a long history of safety and efficacy having been used for over 25 years. It is safe for most skin types and all ages, including infants and children with vascular birthmarks. The Vbeam is the latest pulsed dye laser technology that combines longer pulse durations and cryogen cooling for treatments that are safer, less painful, and more effective and that can be done without the side effect of bruising.
The Vbeam laser is also frequently used to improve the tone and texture of the skin leading to a more refreshed and rejuvenated appearance – the Vbeam Facial. This rejuvenation effect is due to heat from the laser being absorbed by the skin thus stimulating collagen production and mild skin renewal.
How does it work?
The laser will emit a cool spray of mist to the skin, which is called dynamic cooling, before each laser pulse to protect the upper layer of skin, the epidermis, and improve comfort. The laser will then deliver a burst of light to the skin that will be absorbed by the abnormal blood vessels in the dermis. These blood vessels will coagulate and be reabsorbed by the body over the course of a few weeks during the healing process.
Patients typically need 3 to 5 treatments with no or minimal bruising (typically less than five small bruises) or fewer but with more aggressive treatments more bruising will occur. Bruising from laser treatments may last from 7-14 days. Treatments should be spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart for optimal results. In order to maximize results, the procedure the GentleYag: 1064 laser is often used in combination with the Vbeam in the same session to help treat larger, deeper veins. Typically, Vbeam results can last anywhere from six months to greater than two years. To help maintain results it is important to avoid the sun and use a UVA blocking sunscreen with at least an SPF 15. Additional Vbeam treatments may be necessary to maintain the results – especially with the Vbeam facial (one to two treatments a year needed).
Is the treatment safe?
The Vbeam treatment is very safe for patients of all ages. The patient and laser operators will wear safety eyewear to protect the eyes from laser light. As mentioned above, the unique dynamic cooling device (DCD™) will help keep the epidermis safe and intact. You should avoid a tan or sunburn on the skin prior to treatment as it may cause blistering or a scab/crust. Strict sun avoidance is also recommended immediately after the procedure to minimize any risk of pigmentary changes. Sunscreen should be worn daily during the healing period and beyond to maintain the best results.
What can I expect with treatment?
Most patients will feel a slight to moderate discomfort during the treatment, however, no topical anesthetics are needed (except when treating PWS). Patients have described the feeling as the snapping of a rubber band and heat or sting to the skin. Varying degrees of redness, swelling and possible bruising are expected following the treatment. The redness can last for a few hours after the treatment. Typically, swelling of the area will last 24 to 72 hours, and any bruising will darken within the first 24 hours and resolve over seven to ten days. When treating small areas or scars these effects of the laser are very minimal or nonexistent.
Is there anything I need to do before the procedure?
It is highly recommended to avoid sun exposure several weeks before the procedure and throughout the course of the treatment. A sunblock of SPF 30 or above that contains zinc oxide is suggested. If you have any questions about what products to use please discuss this with the physician prior to the treatment.
Types of laser treatments for face
What do skincare and James Bond have in common? Besides being timeless, both know how to handle close encounters with lasers. Strike that. Skincare might handle lasers far more adeptly than 007.
Laser skin treatments are one of the many types of facials that can help reduce fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and acne. Lasers can also brighten skin tone, smooth skin texture, and restore elasticity and plumpness to your face.
This guide will cover how lasers work when it comes to skincare, types of laser treatment for the face, and the best way to enhance the effects of any laser treatment.
How Do Laser Treatments Work? A Crash Course in Lasers
A little knowledge goes a long way when it comes to figuring out which laser treatment will be right for you.
What Exactly Is A Laser?
The answer to this question lies in the word itself. “Laser” is an acronym:
Light
Amplification by
Stimulated
Emission of
Radiation
To really understand what a laser does, let’s take a trip back to science class and understand light.
All light travels in waves, and the distance between each wave’s peak is called a wavelength. The light we see each glowing from lightbulbs or shining on our skin as we lounge by the pool contains a mix of different light colors, and each color has its own wavelength. For example, red light has a longer wavelength than blue light. All of these different wavelengths together create a “white” or neutral light—this is the light we see from the sun and our light bulbs.
Think of each light color like a different instrument, each playing a song at their own tempo. Kind of noisy and unfocused, but is it music? In the general sense, sure—this is natural light.
A laser is technically a light, but it’s a little different than our day-to-day light sources. Lasers produce light of similar wavelengths, creating a narrow beam of concentrated light. These artificially created lights are like a brass band playing the same tune at the same tempo—focused, precise, and powerful 1.
What is a Laser Facial Procedure?
Lasers and skincare are a match made in dermatological heaven. Lasers permeate through the layers of skin to help promote collagen and elastin growth. Did you know that collagen production starts to decline around age 25, and continues on this downward trend, picking up steam in women after menopause? This is why many women have turned to laser treatments.
The more collagen your cells produce, the better your skin looks.
How Do Laser Treatments Work?
Different lasers do different things, but they all work in a similar way. The intensely focused light supports old, damaged skin on a cellular level. From there, the laser heats and damages the deeper layers of the skin. But don’t worry, this damage is actually a fantastic thing. Lasers force your body’s skin systems to go into an ultra-healing mode. When the skin cells are damaged by a laser, your body responds by producing rejuvenating collagen. Therefore, this laser therapy works to improve your skin texture and the overall appearance of any skin type.
After your recovery time is up, your skin will be smoother, brighter, more even, and firmer—especially if you’re prepping and caring for your skin using our Regenerating Skin Nectar with TriHex Technology®. Recommended by dermatologists everywhere, this incredible formula directly supports your cell’s collagen and elastin production, speeds recovery time and makes your laser treatment results last even longer.
Ablative, Non-Ablative, and Fractional Lasers
Two words you’ll hear when learning more about laser therapy treatments are “ablative” and “non-ablative.” Understanding the difference can help you determine which laser skin treatment is right for you 2 .
- Ablative – An ablative laser is more invasive than a non-ablative laser. This laser wounds the skin by removing the outer layer of the skin—the epidermis—while heating and slightly damaging the deeper skin layers. This promotes a huge increase in your body’s collagen and elastin production and will leave skin feeling smoother and tighter.
- Non-Ablative – A non-ablative laser is much less invasive than an ablative laser. Instead of damaging the skin’s surface, it heats the mid and lower levels of skin. However, both procedures result in increased collagen production, and rejuvenated skin
The main differences between these two? Invasiveness, recovery, and results.
An ablative laser treatment is more invasive which means the recovery time can be longer. Non-ablative lasers are less invasive, meaning the recovery time is typically shorter.
While non-ablative procedures are less invasive, the results are not as great as ablative. Ablative procedures require only one or two sessions to achieve maximum results. Meanwhile, you may need between four to six non-ablative treatments to get the same effects.
But ablative and non-ablative lasers do have one thing in common—both types of lasers can also be fractional lasers.
- Fractional Lasers – Think of fractional lasers like a meat tenderizer. The impact zone where you tenderize your meat isn’t a smooth surface like the head of a hammer. It actually looks like a grid. Now imagine pressing the tenderizer into a cut of meat—it leaves indents where the meat made contact with the tenderizer, and places where the meat is untouched from the spaces on the tenderizer’s gridded surface.
Now imagine your meat tenderizer was made of focused artificial light and boom—that’s a fractional laser. Fractional lasers direct heat and energy to sections of the skin’s structures in a grid-like pattern. Rather than producing one concentrated beam of laser skin resurfacing light, fractional lasers target microscopic sections, leaving many skin structures intact.
Fractional lasers help to reduce recovery time, give the skin specialist more control over the treatment. Bonus? Aesthetic practices offer fractional varieties of both ablative and non-ablative lasers.
Top 5 Types of Laser Treatments for Face Concerns
Now that you’ve mastered the nuances of lasers and have become a veritable 007 of skincare, here are the 5 most popular laser treatments for your face 3 :
#1 Ablative Fractional CO2 Lasers
Ablative fractional CO2 laser resurfacing promotes collagen production and tighter, firmer, smoother skin by removing columns of skin cells throughout the layers of the face, neck, and chest. This powerful laser treatment targets:
- Dull skin
- Fine lines and moderate to deep wrinkles
- Age spots
- Acne scars and other shallow scars
- Skin laxity
Ablative fractional C02 lasers are extremely effective, yet invasive—that means this ablative laser resurfacing treatment has a longer recovery time of up to two weeks.
#2 Pulsed-Dye Lasers
This non-ablative laser procedure heats and partially damages the skin layers beneath the epidermis—the topmost layers of skin. As a result, the skin heals, leaving behind even skin tone and texture. Pulsed-dye lasers work especially well with combatting pigmentation problems. Pulsed-dye lasers are known to do the following:
- Decrease redness
- Reduce hyperpigmentation
- Cut down on broken capillaries and rosacea
Since this procedure is non-ablative, the recovery time takes anywhere from a few days to just about a week. This laser therapy is still going to give damaged skin a rejuvenated appearance with the added benefit of less recovery time than its invasive counterpart, an ablative laser treatment.
#3 Non-Ablative Fractional Lasers
All the power of a fractional laser with the “gentleness” of a non-ablative laser, non-ablative fractional lasers are elegant skincare solutions. By heating and slightly damaging just the deeper layers of skin, your body’s collagen growth will increase and the older, dryer, and less attractive skin cells will be cleared away.
Non-ablative fractional lasers can:
- Brighten skin tone
- Smooth out fine lines and wrinkles
- Lighten dark spots
- Reduce the appearance of scars
Recovery time for this laser treatment is short and sweet, about one to three days. However, for optimal results, you’ll need to return for additional skin resurfacing treatments.
#4 Erbium Laser Treatment
Erbium lasers promote collagen growth and natural skin remodeling. They can be ablative or non-ablative, making them a great choice for your first treatment. You might consider erbium laser treatments if your skin concerns or skin condition includes the following:
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Loose skin
- Dark spots
Recovery time for this treatment depends on whether your specialist recommends an ablative or non-ablative laser. An ablative erbium laser treatment will take longer time for your skin to recover, a non-ablative erbium laser treatment will take less.
#5 Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Though technically not a laser, IPL treatment uses the power of light to bring youthfulness to your skin. In a process referred to as “photo rejuvenation,” IPL specialists use a broad spectrum of light wavelengths to target your skin’s problem areas. This non-invasive (and non-ablative) is especially good for treating the following conditions:
- Redness
- Spider veins
- Hyperpigmentation
- Uneven skin tone
- Fine lines
Because skin isn’t damaged during this process, IPL has almost zero recovery time.
ALASTIN: Helping You Get the Most Out of Your Laser Treatment
Every laser treatment for face concerns gets you closer to revealing your most beautiful and radiant skin. No matter which procedure you choose, you’re on your way to rejuvenation. Understanding how to take care of your face after a laser treatment as well as before a treatment can make the difference between great skin and gorgeous skin.
Preparing your skin before your procedure is similar to clearing your garden of weeds, fertilizing and preparing the soil, before planting your new garden. Helping your skin start clearing out damaged collagen and elastin before the laser procedure will make way for all the great new healthy collagen and elastin you are about to create after the procedure.
Make the most of your laser treatment with our Procedure Enhancement System utilizing patented TriHex Technology®. These unique formulas are backed by science and specifically engineered to help prepare the skin for laser treatments and help reduce the time it takes to recover.
Skincare treatments have taken huge strides in variety and effectiveness. Luckily, we have all the information you need on different procedures both ablative and non-ablative. With the help of ALASTIN, you’ll be on track to healthier and happier skin!
How to repair laser damaged skin
If you’re starting to notice age spots, deep wrinkles or a bit of sagging skin on your face, your seeing the effect of structural changes associated with skin damage and aging.
Have you ever wondered why your butt cheeks are smoother and generally unblemished while your face becomes dull and has wrinkles and age spots?
That’s because over time your skin suffers NOT ONLY the effects of aging, but also the effects of the environment on your skin. Particularly, the sun.
Other factors that contribute to skin health are good nutrition, hormone balance and of course, a skin care regimen.
The Science of Skin Care
There have been great advancements in skin care, but the fountain of youth is yet to be discovered. Scientist have uncovered enough data, however, that helps understand how the skin regenerates and what causes it to structurally change.
We won’t go into the scientific details in this article. Suffice is to say, there are things we can do to prevent and repair skin damage.
So let’s get to it. If you’re serious about preventing and restoring a smooth, spotless, youthful glow to your skin, below are a list of things you can do:
Avoid things that damage your skin
Remember, as we age, the ability of our skin to regenerate and heal from damage is compromised. Taking steps to reduce or eliminate things that damage it is imperative for healthy looking skin.
Some of these may be obvious, but a reminder may be due…
- Smoking and second hand smoke
- Excessive sun exposure like sunbathing during the day will take a toll on your skin over time
- Swimming in chlorinated pool
- Wearing too much makeup or sleeping with makeup
- Picking at your skin – don’t do it!
- Long hot showers and steam rooms
- Consuming too much salt
- Waxing too often
- Exfoliating too often
- Squinting and frowning
- Stress
- Sugars
- Dry cleaned clothes
- Too much alcohol
- Avoid chemicals directly on your skin (i.e. cleaning, grease, etc.)
Did you know that many creams, lotions and cosmetic products use harmful chemicals already banned in European countries? Avoid them at all cost!
Develop a plan to protect your skin
Protecting your skin from the inside out has proven to be an effective strategy to prolong a youthful complexion. The goal is to do things the help the skin regenerate and protect it from further harm.
- Apply sunscreen
- Wear clothing that provide UV protection
- Drink sufficient water
- Use skin moisturizers
- Get enough sleep
- Use lip balm
- Use clean sheets and pillow cases
- Exercise (sweat)
- Wear clinically proven healthy makeup
- Eat a balanced diet
- Take supplements if you suffer from any nutritional deficiency
Get professional help
Visit an experienced aesthetician, aesthetics doctor or dermatologist to help you RESTORE your skin’s healthy appearance. Professional help will allow you to get the most dramatic improvement for your specific type of skin.
Remember, your skin does not become dull, dry, wrinkled or spotted overnight.
Understanding the advantages professional help provides can help you get the results you want more effectively, in less time, and often times more affordably.
Experience Matters
Knowing what to look for is imperative to prescribing the right treatment. Getting the results you desire take experience and know how. If you’re fortunate to have a medical doctor assess your skin, he or she can also make recommendations based on your health history or condition.
Treatment Options
Your skin rejuvenation professional will recommend a wide range of options, including facials and treatments for specific concerns and will know which services are best improve the condition of your skin. For example, a hyper-allergenic solution for oily skin suffering from blackheads / whiteheads.
Advancements in Technology
Some skin damage cannot be treated at home. Age spots and scars for example, take specialized devices to treat the damaged area. These conditions may require laser, IPL technology or micro-needling to solve.
Skin Care Products
Most aesthetic or dermatology offices offer skin care products, including makeup, that are safe and effective for your skin type. You can often take advantage of a free consultation and demonstrations.
Remember, not all skin types respond the same to treatments. That’s why having a medical doctor as your aesthetic professional is of great advantage in that he or she is able to better diagnose skin issues affected by health conditions or medications.
Additionally, only a medical doctor can prescribe pain medication should you receive a treatment that is uncomfortable.
As you know, there are plenty of resources online to help improve your skin’s health. Try them with caution since some of these anti-aging treatments may cause allergic reaction or are simply ineffective for your skin type.
As in exercising or cooking, a professional can expedite the progress you make by providing the know how to do it effectively. Same thing occurs when attempting to restore a healthy glow to your skin.