Laser treatments for the face can have varied uses and understanding the differences between them can sometimes be a complicated task. Targeted application of lasers can reduce crow’s feet, remove skin tags, create a non-surgical facelift and remove acne scarring – all highly specialised treatments that require state-of-the-art laser technology and a qualified aesthetic team.
This article will help to demystify facial laser treatments and answer some of the most common questions prospective patients have about laser treatments.
At the CREO Clinic you will be treated by an experienced aesthetic doctor trained in the use of the Fotona SP Dynamis laser. This dual wavelength laser is at the forefront of laser aesthetics, harnessing the power of both Nd:YAG and Er:YAG modalities to treat superficial skin complaints and issues deeper in the dermis.
Book a consultation at the CREO Clinic today in London and discover the ways laser treatments can revitalise your facial skin.
While there are many different types of laser treatments, there are two key effects that lasers can have on the skin – lasers can be ablative, or non-ablative.
Although both Er:YAG and Nd:YAG lasers can be used in ablative and non-ablative modes, it should be noted that Er:YAG lasers are typically used as an ablative laser, and Nd:YAG lasers as a non-ablative laser.
Ablative lasers deliver intense light energy to the skin cells at a 2940nm wavelength, where the energy is absorbed by water in the cells, vaporising the superficial layers of skin. The damage it creates is controlled and can help to decrease the visibility of scars, fine lines and wrinkles and to remove skin tags. This process can also stimulate greater collagen and elastin production which helps to create firmer, smoother skin overall.
Non-ablative lasers have many varied uses in aesthetics. They deliver energy at a 1064 nm wavelength to penetrate deeper layers of the dermis. Like the Er:YAG laser, Nd:YAG lasers are highly precise and can address issues such as vascular lesions, visible signs of ageing, unwanted facial or body hair and rosacea.
Advanced lasers such as the Fotona SP Dynamis can use Nd:YAG lasers in Q-switched mode – this allows the laser to release energy in short bursts that can be highly effective for pigmentation issues and tattoo removal.
The Fotona 4D facelift is a four stage non-invasive facelift procedure that uses both Er:YAG and Nd:YAG lasers as part of a full and comprehensive remodelling of the facial skin.
Firstly, the Er:YAG laser modality is used to tighten the perioral skin, such as the nasolabial folds, then the Nd:YAG laser is used to stimulate collagen production and firm up the skin in multiple areas around the face. The final stage uses the Er:YAG laser to perform a gentle skin peel that fine tunes the surface layers of the dermis, working to remove superficial imperfections.
The full procedure is designed to enhance and rejuvenate the face by treating fine lines, wrinkles and addressing issues with skin texture and tone, while avoiding the need for a surgical intervention.
Fotona’s SmoothEye laser treatment uses the Er:YAG laser in a non-ablative ‘Smooth’ mode, treating the periocular region to reduce wrinkles, tighten up lax skin on the eyelids and improve the appearance of bags under the eyes. The treatment is painless with very little downtime and can help avoid the need for surgical treatments such as blepharoplasty.
Fotona’s LipLase treatment is a needle-free, effective alternative to lip filler that plumps the lips through the gentle application of both non-ablative Er:YAG and Nd:YAG laser energy. LipLase helps to enhance the volume and shape of your lips through stimulation of collagen production.
The treatment does not require any downtime and is very well tolerated by our patients, who are typically delighted with the results provided.
Fotona TwinLight uses both Nd:YAG and Er:YAG lasers in one procedure to treat both active acne and scar tissue left from previous outbreaks. The Nd:YAG laser targets the sebaceous glands that cause acne and minimises the future risk of outbreaks. The Er:YAG laser gently resurfaces the skin by vaporising microscopic skin cells in scar tissue, revealing healthier skin underneath. It also works by stimulating the body’s natural production of collagen to restore the skin.
It is a gentler, more effective treatment than chemical peels – it is precisely controlled to avoid causing damage to your facial tissues.
Use of the Fotona Er:YAG laser is a safe method of scar revision that gently ablates the skin and resurfaces areas affected by acne scarring. This can improve both the tone and texture of the skin and is effective for all different kinds of acne scarring – ice pick, boxcar and rolling scars can all be treated with targeted application of the Fotona Er:YAG laser.
Malformed scars can also be treated with the Fotona laser. For example, Er:YAG resurfacing can reduce the hyperpigmentation of keloid scars and work to flatten and smooth out hypertrophic scars.
Rosacea is an inflammatory reaction common in certain skin types – it presents as a redness or flushing in the face. Rosacea can be treated with the Fotona Nd:YAG laser using its Long Pulse mode – this targets the discolouration and hyperpigmentation caused by blood vessels under the skin.
The Nd:YAG laser applies heat into the dermis and disintegrates the walls of the capillaries that cause the flushing. This allows the body to break them down naturally, helping restore a more natural-looking skin tone. It is highly effective, minimally invasive and requires no downtime.
Spider veins, sometimes known as thread veins, are a type of vascular lesion that appears in fine lines of dark red or dark green blood vessels under the skin. Fotona’s long pulse Nd:YAG laser works to target these blood vessels and specifically heating the haemoglobin to collapse the vein walls. This reduces the appearance of the spider veins as the bodies natural immune response removes any remaining blood or vein tissue.
This is a highly effective treatment with no downtime and significant impact after only one session. Blood cells may disappear completely or significantly fade after one treatment, but some cases may require multiple sessions.
Fungal nail infections can cause our nails to thicken and turn yellowish brown. This can lead one or more nails to soften and break down. Fotona’s ClearSteps protocol uses the Nd:YAG laser modality to heat the nail bed and eliminate any fungi present – this clears any new nail growth from infection and also stimulates natural growth of the nails.
Snoring and the symptoms of sleep apnoea can be a significant issue for both the sleeper and the people sleeping next to them. Fotona’s NightLase protocol reduces the flax or excess tissue in the upper palate that can lead to snoring, avoiding the need for chemical or surgical treatments.
The Er:YAG laser wavelength tightens the collagen fibres in the soft tissues of the palate through the application of gentle heat. Over time, the airways can become less obstructed, sleep apnoea reduced and overall sleep quality improved.
Skin tags are lesions on the skin that can develop in folds and creases on the face around the body – often on the neck, under the armpits, in groin folds and under the breasts. The Fotona Er:YAG laser can gently ablate and remove skin tags permanently, first checking to ensure that the lesions are benign via a clinical assessment from our aesthetic doctor.
Stretch marks are a common skin concern that can develop after pregnancy or rapid weight gain/loss. Fotona’s LineLase stretch mark removal uses a two-stage process – first the Er:YAG laser in smooth mode to help tighten up the skin through increased collagen production, then the use of Er:YAG laser in an ablated mode to deal with superficial skin imperfections and textural issues.
The CREO Clinic provides highly trained specialists to its patients – whatever your aesthetic needs. As such, our team is proficient in the most advanced cosmetic techniques, including Nd:YAG and Er:YAG laser treatments to revitalise the skin. It is our doctor-led, research-based approach that means patients put their trust in our aesthetic team.
Our clinic has a proven record of achieving consistently high quality results, but our patient care and safety record also reassure patients they are in the hands of experienced professionals.
After any laser treatment, there are a few simple steps you should take to optimise your healing and results:
Contact the CREO Clinic today for a consultation to understand which laser treatments can help you achieve your aesthetic goals. Our doctor-led team of cosmetic practitioners have performed countless successful laser treatments, and will personalise a safe, effective treatment plan based on your specific needs.
Each laser treatment is bespoke and what you can expect will vary from protocol to protocol. Depending on the size and number of treatment areas, application of lasers can take between 60-90 minutes to complete.After the treatment, you can expect minimal downtime as your skin heals to become smoother, firmer and fresher.
How many sessions you will need depends greatly on your aesthetic goals and the specific skin concerns being treated. Some treatments will require multiple sessions, whereas others can require a single session.
Laser treatments are not usually painful, but any pain or discomfort can be managed with the application of local anaesthetic. Our specialists are experienced in managing pain in procedures, and can protect you from unnecessary discomfort.
In many cases, laser treatments do provide permanent solutions. For example, lasers can remove skin tags permanently with minimal chance that they will return. In the case of other treatments, such as laser treatment of rosacea, top up treatments may be necessary in the medium term to maintain the results.
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