Not a day does by when a patient in Dr. Leven’s Broward County area practice asks, “Can I have a laser? I heard it was the best. I heard there was no pain or downtime. That’s what I want.”
Laser, or light-based treatment, has revolutionized many treatments in medicine such as vision correction (LASIK) and the treatment of various internal growths and tumors through a flexible tube, otherwise known as an endoscope. However, the term laser implies “high tech,” which can lead to high expectations and confusion.
What are the Misunderstandings About Laser?
For all of the great indications for laser treatments, there is a great potential for misunderstanding by people seeking treatments. This misunderstanding stems from the many different types of laser technologies. Additionally, people may be confused with the potential hype associated with both unrealistic expectations due to common misperceptions by the public. This also includes the potential misrepresentation of specific applications and their effectiveness by physicians and manufacturers.
Laser treatments in cosmetic plastic surgery have become very popular in the last few years. They can be especially effective for South Florida residents who suffer from sun spots and pigment issues. These issues are often caused by the frequent sun exposure in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, and Broward County area.
How Does a Laser Work?
For use on the skin, certain lasers are intended to work on the surface while others penetrate the skin surface to reach specific targets such as hair follicles, blood vessels or pigmented growths. The difference depends on many technical factors beginning with the type of source inside the machine and the resulting wavelength of the light emitted.
What are Some of the Most Common Laser Treatments?
Laser Skin Resurfacing
This is a very common but often misunderstood application. Laser skin resurfacing can be a powerful tool for reducing fine lines and tightening the skin. There are ablative lasers that dramatically vaporize the outer skin layers. There are also non-ablative lasers that work just below the outer layers to initiate the natural healing process more gently with less downtime, but require multiple treatments.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is one of the most common uses for lasers. This permanent hair reduction treatment selectively targets hair follicles deep in the skin’s surface. Treatment is easy and relatively pain-free. However, natural variations in skin pigment and tanning require careful selection of treatments for optimal results.
Blood Vessels and Red Scars
Laser treatment targets the color of red blood cells. It is also very effective in treating small “spider vessels” and reducing the early red appearance of scars.
Brown Spots or Sun Spots
Dark spots or age spots from sun exposure or hyperpigmentation can be very effectively treated by targeting the melanin or brown pigment in the skin. This can include spots on the face, chest, hands, and arms.
These are just a few of the applications of laser treatments offered by Dr. Levens. Dr. Levens uses the SharpLight™ Laser system in his office. A consultation with the laser-trained aesthetician is the first step to learning which of these treatments would be helpful for you.
Although the laser is attractive to many patients, Dr. Levens also offers numerous effective non-laser treatments for treating many skin conditions in the Broward County and Fort Lauderdale areas. Contact the office today to set up your consultation.
