We have a wide range of outpatient laser therapy options to treat conditions that range from wrinkling and scarring (including acne scars) to removing nail fungus. Our four different types of laser therapies span both ablative and non-ablative treatments, either removing layers of skin or stimulating collagen growth beneath.
What Are the Main Types of Laser Therapy?
Our laser therapy options include:
- Profractional Laser: This minimally ablative laser treatment works to diminish fine lines and sun damage as well as scarring and wrinkles. By stimulating collagen around the treated area, profractional lasers are able to smooth out wrinkles and scars.
- MicroLaser Peel: This precision skin resurfacing technique removes the damaged and dull outer layers of your skin to bring back a more youthful look and feel. These procedures are tailored to your treatment, with lasers peeling as deep as 60 microns or as little as 10 microns.
- Acne Scar Revision: We have a wide variety of options depending upon the condition of acne scarring, including BBL and IPL light therapy, in order to restore your skin to its pre-acne condition.
- Neodymium YAG Laser: By producing an intense burst of light, the Neodymium YAG laser is able to penetrate through toe nails to eradicate nail fungus at its source.
What Happens During the Procedure?
What happens during your laser therapy procedures will vary based on which procedures we perform:
- Our profractional laser treatment creates thousands of small channels around the treated area in order to produce more collagen and make the skin look more plump, smoothing out wrinkles.
- The microlaser peels can be adjusted to fit your needs for everything from minor resurfacing to ablating and removing the outermost layers of skin. The deeper treatments are typically more successful, though they require more downtime.
- When we perform acne scar revision, we examine the scars to be treated and determine whether it is best to treat them with profractional lasers, microlaser peels, or broadband laser light therapy. These different methods allow penetration of the top layers of skin to alter scar formation and remove the telltale signs of acne.
- Patients who undergo Neodymium YAG laser treatment for nail fungus have all of their toe nails treated with the laser, which feels like a warm light passing over the toes.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
The number of sessions will depend on the treatment performed:
- Profractional Laser: Typical procedures take four sessions at six to twelve week intervals.
- MicroLaser Peel: The number of sessions will depend on the treatment needed. Some patients need only one, others come back for multiple.
- Acne Scar Revision: Depending on the type and severity of the scars and the treatment method, the number of sessions will vary; scar revision offers noticeable improvements almost immediately.
- Neodymium YAG Laser: Typical procedures require two treatments at a three month interval.
What is the Recovery Process Like?
As each of our laser therapies are different, patients will have different recovery processes for each:
- Profractional Laser: We will have a home skin care regimen for you to follow, but patients are typically able to see results quickly and easily, going back to their daily life without significant downtime. Short-term side-effects include redness and swelling.
- MicroLaser Peel: Your recovery from a microlaser peel will depend on the depth of the peel, however you should expect some light redness and swelling. Recovery involves a home skin care regimen and can last 2-4 days or longer depending on the depth of the peel.
- Acne Scar Revision: Your recovery process will vary based on the methods used to treat your acne scars, but side effects like redness and itching can occur. We’ll provide you with set instructions on how to care for your skin after the procedure.
- Neodymium YAG Laser: You can resume your normal life with no downtime, however you should use sandals or aerated shoes as well as fresh socks to prevent reinfection.
With any of our laser therapies, we recommend avoiding UV lights if possible and discourage exfoliates or excessive scrubbing of any treated areas. And, as always, be sure to contact our offices if you experience any unexpected side effects.
How Can I Learn More?
If you have any questions about our laser therapies, feel free to contact us online or by phone at 303-578-4193. We will be happy to provide you with more specific information on these procedures or recommend other therapy options, depending on the conditions you’re looking to treat.