Laser treatment has indeed proved its capability and effectiveness since its discovery. While initially used as a treatment for pigmented lesions and removal of tattoos, it has since then continued to grow and expand as a treatment for skin rejuvenation and resurfacing and other various conditions.
AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE
If you have uneven pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, or acne scars, you could be a good candidate for laser treatment. The laser is not recommended for patients who are pregnant, have a history of keloid or herpes, those with active infections (bacterial, viral or fungal), and who are under isotretinoin therapy 6 months or less prior to the scheduled laser treatment.
HOW IS THE TREATMENT DONE
A few weeks before the treatment
The treatment preparation and procedure is quite simple. On the day of your consultation, you will be asked if you are taking any medications like Aspirin, Vitamin E, or large amounts of ginger or garlic. These medications and foods should be avoided as they interfere with the viscosity of the blood which if taken for long periods can cause excessive thinning of the blood. Smoking should also be avoided 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after the treatment as smoking prolongs healing. Finally, you will be advised to avoid sun exposure a couple of weeks before the treatment because this can cause increased sensitivity.
On the day of the treatment
You will be asked to sign an informed consent form. During this time, it is best to ask the doctor questions or any concerns you may have, before commencing the treatment.
You will be assisted by a nurse in one of our treatment rooms. Once the targeted areas have been cleaned, you will be asked to wear a safety eye protector.
Typically, the treatment lasts around 30-45 minutes depending on the areas that need to be treated.
During the Treatment:
You will feel a slight burning sensation when the laser is passed however this “sun burnt-like” sensation can be greatly reduced with a cooling device.
After the Treatment:
Cold packs can be placed to minimise the stinging sensation, which will be felt immediately after the treatment. Redness, and sometimes minimal swelling and bruising, is expected. This will decrease in a couple of days.
As the skin is healing, you may experience slight flaking of the skin which can last for less than a week. Also, the treated areas will be bright pink and will continuously improve giving you a smoother and tighter skin texture.
AFTERCARE TREATMENT
A strong sunblock with SPF 30 or higher will be your “best buddy” during the days after laser treatment. Total sun protection for a month is strongly advised as exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause increased pigmentation and dark spots. Regular cleaning of the treated areas can greatly decrease any possible infection. Furthermore, it is best not to apply any makeup until flaking or crusting has completely gone and the skin has healed well.
HOW MANY SESSIONS DO I NEED
The quantity of session for LASER treatment will depend on the type of laser used. There are two general types: non-ablative and ablative.
The non-ablative laser is less invasive, less downtime but requires more sessions for the treatment to be effective; while the ablative laser is more invasive, needs more downtime and requires fewer sessions.
So basically, 1-2 sessions are sufficient for ablative mode and 4-6 sessions for non-ablative, with a month or more in between sessions.
In London Centre for Aesthetic Surgery Gulf, Dr Maurizio Viel offers the latest, state-of-the-art laser technology (YouLaser MT) which can safely combine both types. With this combination, the result is quite efficient and typically less invasive. As a result, the recovery is faster compared to using the ablative mode alone.
To book an appointment for LASER TREATMENT in Dubai at our LCAS Dubai Healthcare City Clinic, please contact 04-375 2393 or email gulf@LCAS.com
To book an appointment at our LCAS 15 Harley Street, London practice, please call +44 207 636 4272 or email info@LCAS.com