A general overview of the types of laser resurfacing treatments.
Laser skin resurfacing is a cosmetic procedure that involves using lasers to improve your skin’s overall texture and quality. This procedure can be performed with ablative or non-ablative lasers.
- Ablative lasers remove the uppermost layers of the skin to reveal the smoother, softer, and more youthful skin underneath. The resurfaced skin is smoother and more even-textured without pigmented spots, brown spots, acne scars, and other concerns.
- Non-ablative lasers don’t remove the skin layers—instead, they make the vascular lesions shrink away, encouraging collagen production. Over time, as your body produces new collagen fibers to restore your skin’s natural collagen reserves, your skin appears smoother and tighter.
Why you need multiple sessions for optimal results.
Both ablative and non-ablative laser resurfacing provide gradual results. You need multiple treatments to see optimal results.
- For ablative lasers, each session only removes the uppermost layer of the skin, which might not be enough to smoothen all the skin concerns, especially if the scars and pigmented lesions are deep. As such, multiple sessions continue removing the uppermost layers until you achieve flawless skin.
- For non-ablative lasers, each session increases your body’s collagen production capabilities and skin cell turnover. While you might see mild results with one treatment, you need multiple sessions for your body to produce enough collagen and skin cells to tighten and smoothen your skin.
As such, the number of laser resurfacing treatments necessary for optimal results varies from one individual to the next. People with mild signs of aging and superficial scars might need one or two sessions, but people with advanced signs of aging and skin damage may need four or more sessions. You must consult your cosmetic aesthetician to determine the ideal treatment plan.
What you can expect from your laser skin resurfacing consultation.
Your laser skin resurfacing treatment must start with a personal consultation with your cosmetic aesthetician. They’ll examine your skin and treatment areas, review your medical history, and discuss your cosmetic goals. Based on their evaluation, they’ll recommend the ideal treatments for your specific needs. Some patients need ablative treatments, some need non-ablative treatments, and some need a combination of both.
The cosmetic provider will also curate the ideal treatment frequency and plan based on your unique situation. The number of sessions will depend on your skin quality, skin depth, and the severity of your wrinkles, acne scars, pigmented spots, and other concerns. Most patients need 3 to 4 laser skin resurfacing sessions for optimal results. But some patients also need a lot more sessions. You should also opt for maintenance treatments once or twice a year to maintain flawless skin. Schedule a consultation today!
