Posted on December 12, 2017 by Paul A. Boulos When skin imperfections have you feeling discouraged, and over-the-counter solutions don’t seem to be getting the job done, it’s not uncommon to look into your other options.
Laser skin rejuvenation is one of the leading choices people consider when looking into getting rid of their skin imperfections, but just like any other cosmetic treatment, you have to make sure it’s safe for your skin type. While laser skin rejuvenation can treat many different skin conditions, some skin types shouldn’t be given laser treatments. If you suffer from any of these skin conditions, find out now if laser skin rejuvenation is right for you.
Acne Breakouts
In the case of most skin treatments, it’s not recommended to move forward if you’re experiencing an acne breakout. This includes laser skin rejuvenation, as performing laser treatments when the skin is in this sensitive state can cause further irritation and increase the risk of side effects. For these reasons, it’s best to wait until a breakout has passed. If you’re unsure whether or not your acne would get in the way of your laser treatment, consult your medically licensed laser technician.
Acne Scars
While laser skin rejuvenation can’t be performed during severe acne breakouts, it can certainly be used to eliminate the scars they leave behind. Technicians use laser treatments to treat severe atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars. Atrophic acne scars are caused by damaged skin cells that develop from the lack of collagen produced during the healing process. These result in ice pick, boxcar, and rolling acne scars. Hypertrophic scars are caused by the opposite issue, when your body produces too much collagen during healing. The result is large, firm scars that protrude from the skin. All of these types of skin conditions can be treated with laser skin rejuvenation.
Naturally Dark or Tanned Skin
For those with naturally dark or tanned skin, past procedures using lasers might have had a negative effect on skin’s pigment. However, laser technology has significantly improved, and this in no longer the case. Fractional lasers, which target the deep layers of the skin without causing any damage to the surface, have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation for those with darker skin tones. In fact, laser treatments can now reduce the signs of this condition. Consult your licensed medical laser technician for more information on what kind of lasers they use for laser skin rejuvenation.
Rosacea
The regular flushing and redness of the skin, also known as rosacea, can be treated by laser skin rejuvenation, but laser treatments shouldn’t be performed if a rosacea breakout is too severe. To see if your skin condition is suitable for a laser session, consult your licensed medical laser technician. Laser skin rejuvenation can significantly reduce redness and eliminate burst capillaries, but there’s a higher risk of side effects occurring if a treatment is administered during a severe rosacea breakout.
Hyperpigmentation
A common skin condition where areas of the skin’s surface appear darker in color than the rest, hyperpigmentation is harmless yet tends to be frustrating. Laser skin rejuvenation can eliminate the discolored areas of the skin by targeting the pigment in these skin cells. Creating microscopic wounds to the skin breaks up the pigment into smaller particles, making it easier for the body to dispose of them through the waste system. Our body then naturally repairs these microscopic wounds by creating new, undamaged skin cells whose pigment color will align with your natural skin color.
Prone to Keloids
Some people’s skin is naturally prone to forming keloids, which are raised scars that develop when a wound doesn’t heal properly. Often people will get these when a deep cut doesn’t get stitches when it should have. For others, however, this is just how their body tends to develop scars. While technicians can use laser skin rejuvenation to reduce the size and appearance of keloid scars, it shouldn’t be used to treat other skin conditions if you suffer from this skin condition. By using lasers to target other areas of the skin, your body will be more likely to scar from the treatment.
If you’re unsure if your type of skin or specific skin condition is suitable for laser skin rejuvenation, the best thing you can do is contact your laser clinic of choice for a free consultation. The laser clinic you choose should be a reputable business in your area who holds their laser technicians to a high standard. Anyone handling a laser or providing you with a consultation should not only hold a medical degree from an accredited college but should also hold a license demonstrating they’ve gone through training on how to use each laser device.
During your consultation, a licensed medical laser technician will examine your skin and provide you with the proper steps to eliminate your skin imperfections. Most importantly, they’ll be able to inform you whether or not laser skin rejuvenation is right for you and your type of skin.
