What are the benefits of laser treatments in aesthetic medicine?

• The laser was invented over 60 years ago and has quickly become essential to a wide range of medical and scientific applications.

• It has many applications in aesthetic medicine, such as reducing wrinkles and treating imperfections.

• There are several different kinds of treatment, depending on the areas concerned and the desired effect on the skin.

• Laser treatments are medical procedures and should not be confused with Intense Pulsed Light technology, which can be performed in beauty salons.

• Although most people tolerate laser treatments well, there are some precautions to take after the session(s).

The word laser stands for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.” Developed in 1960 in a small lab in Malibu, California, this perfectly straight beam of light quickly became a mainstay in doctors’ practices, factories, supermarkets, and research laboratories.
It is an intense and focused beam of light with a wide range of applications. In dermatology, it can target specific areas with remarkable precision, unlike Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology, which diffuses light over a wider area. Both techniques produce heat within tissues, resulting in different effects depending on the power and settings of the devices (more on this below).

Laser treatments offer a wide range of benefits, such as:

• Reducing wrinkles and fine lines.
• Correcting hyperpigmentation.
• Improving the skin’s firmness, texture, and quality.
• Making scars and stretch marks less visible.
• Treating redness and dilated capillaries (rosacea).
• Removing unwanted tattoos.

Different kinds of lasers are used depending on the needs.

Ablative lasers

Ablative lasers, such as CO2 lasers, ablate the superficial layer of facial skin (the epidermis) to eliminate brown pigmentation and stimulate skin regeneration. This method is especially effective in the correction of hyperpigmentation and the improvement of skin texture.

One session is enough, and the results, visible in just a few days, are permanent, provided that the skin is well protected from the sun after the procedure. This is because exposure to UV radiation will again stimulate the production of melanin, which can in turn trigger hyperpigmentation.

Non-ablative lasers

As mentioned above, lasers work by producing heat within the areas to be treated. The choice of laser wavelength depends on the cells being targeted. These lasers only affect chromophores, which are cells that contain pigments (such as melanin) or reflect light.

Chromophores absorb the photons emitted by the laser’s beam. This energy is then converted into heat, which selectively breaks down the target without damaging anything around it. This heat causes two things to happen:

• The denaturation of collagen in the dermis, which leads to secondary collagen synthesis. This process stimulates fibroblasts, the cells responsible for collagen and elastin production, thus encouraging skin regeneration and resurfacing, resulting in firmer skin, smoother wrinkles, and improved texture.

• The production of inflammation-inducing compounds and growth hormones that stimulate fibroblast activity and repair tissue by triggering the development of collagen and elastic fibers that help restore the structure of damaged tissue.

Non-ablative lasers are effective in increasing collagen production, correcting hyperpigmentation, reducing redness, and making scars less visible. They are also used in laser hair removal.

Skincare professionals recommend 2 to 3 sessions at intervals of 3 to 4 weeks. Vascular and pigmentary responses are immediate, and collagen rebuilding occurs after 3 to 12 months. The results last several years.

To close this section, it’s worth noting that non-ablative lasers also include vascular lasers. These destroy dilated capillaries, either by “welding” vessels together (photothermal coagulation) or by breaking them apart (selective photothermolysis).

They are used to treat rosacea, a blood vessel condition that causes erythrosis (diffuse redness of the cheeks, generally), which can develop further and lead to visible blood vessels on the face.

As we explained in our article on botulinum toxin injections, where we warned you about “fake injectors,” laser treatments are to be carried out exclusively by qualified medical practitioners due to the accuracy required and the potential risks associated with such treatments. On the other hand, IPL treatments can be performed by beauticians in beauty salons, but only under strictly controlled conditions to prevent any complications.

When performed appropriately and under suitable conditions, laser treatments are largely well tolerated. However, they are still somewhat invasive, meaning the skin needs time to recover. This means that some treatments imply a certain amount of care and precaution once the session is over. For example: 

• A little redness is possible after a session of fractional ablative laser treatment, but thanks to recent technological advances (particularly fractionation, which led to the development of fractional ablative lasers), this usually subsides overnight. After a non-fractional ablative laser treatment, a short period of isolated convalescence will be necessary during the healing process.

• After an ablative CO2 laser treatment, the exposed dermis may become red, swollen, and susceptible to weeping. Dressings or topical lipid-rich skincare will be necessary until the 10 to 15-day healing period is complete. Patients will often need to isolate themselves. Appropriate makeup and sun protection are recommended from the tenth day onwards to cover the erythema. In addition, your doctor will prescribe a course of general treatments (analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, etc.). The skin may feel uncomfortable, dry, and sensitive for several weeks, with red patches and a sensation of warmth remaining possible for a few months. It is recommended to avoid the sun for six months and to use a high-protection sunscreen, even when the UV index is low. This can be a difficult period psychologically, but your doctor will be there to provide support during the subsequent consultations necessary to ensure proper healing.

Laboratoires FILORGA has always drawn on the techniques used in aesthetic medicine to create its exceptional skincare products.

Among them, products from the SKIN-UNIFY range mimic the benefits of laser treatments, smoothing and brightening the skin. Their powerful blend of vitamin C, glabridin, and seaweed extract reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation. They also even out the complexion (drawing inspiration from facial peels) thanks to a resurfacing active ingredient, yarrow extract, and brighten the skin (drawing inspiration from medical strobing) thanks to the effects of encapsulated hyaluronic acid, which plumps the skin and boosts its capacity to reflect light.

In addition, for comprehensive anti-aging results, the GLOBAL-REPAIR range includes treatments designed to stimulate the natural repair process of the skin barrier. Our GLOBAL-REPAIR ADVANCED serum and cream are inspired by the rich lipid-based treatments used in aesthetic medicine for post-procedure recovery.