Light and laser treatments offer great results but can seem daunting if you're trying them for the first time. For example, how do you decide if your skin type is safe for certain laser treatments? What treatment type would you need?
Not to worry– our team of experts at Martin’s Rejuvenation Centre, located in Barrie, Ontario, is ready to tackle your most pressing needs. To help you better understand these popular treatments, we've pointed out three important things to think about when selecting the right treatment plan for you:
- What skin concern you want to fix,
- What your skin tone is,
- How much time you will need to recover after the treatment
This article will help you learn the basics and get ready for a consultation. Let's get started.
A Quick Lesson on How Light & Laser Treatments Work
Lasers use a narrow beam of light to gently penetrate a specific part of your skin. This is so that the body’s natural healing process can create a fresher and taut skin via collagen stimulation. Because this injury is controlled and self-inflicted, the healing is tighter and neater.
There are several types of laser treatments you can choose from. But how do you know which one is right for you? Here's what to consider:
What to Consider When Choosing the Right Laser Treatment
1. Your Skin Concerns
You should consider the skin concern you’re looking to fix. What bothers you the most? Look through the images below to see if any looks familiar to you or someone you know.
Different skin concerns
A, B, and C: Skin conditions such as red pigments, brown pigments and sunspots are pigmentation-based and start in the deeper skin layers. Other examples are non-cosmetic conditions like rosacea, nail fungus, and warts.
The best laser treatments for these conditions are non-ablative treatments. Non-ablative laser treatments work on the skin's deeper layers without removing the outermost layer. Therefore, they are gentler and do minimal damage.
Fine lines using 4D Laser (Before and After)
These are the non-ablative treatments we offer at Martin’s Rejuvenation Centre:
NB: BBL is especially great for getting rid of sun damage to your skin caused by the harsh effects of hot summer, such as brown spots and dry patches. BBL can also help improve complexion as well as texture.
D, E, and F: Fine lines, dull skin and rough skin are texture-based conditions and, as such, closer to the surface. Another example is acne scarring.
The best laser treatments for these textural concerns are ablative treatments. Ablative treatments tackle the outermost skin layer to trigger healing. These treatments require a longer time to heal and more infection control because they are closer to the surface. A great example is Fotona Laser Treatment.
2. Your Skin Tone
Skin comes in different shades, and these shades react differently to the kinds of laser and light energy used in treatments. This is because of our individual concentrations of melanin, which is responsible for absorbing light energy. Some light treatments are not ideal for specific skin types. For instance, people with either extremity (very light or very dark) are not suited for certain treatments. During your consultation, our experts will determine this.
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Fitzpatrick Skin Types (1-6)
We use tools like the Fitzpatrick skin type chart to figure out which color matches your skin tone the best. This helps us decide which laser treatment is right for you. We also check how sensitive your skin is.
This step helps us identify the correct laser treatment for your unique skin type.
3. Your Recovery Period
Lastly, think about how much time you can spare for healing.
Do you want something quick where you can get back to your routine as soon as possible, or can you take a few days?
The kind of treatment (ablative versus non-ablative) decides how long you need to recover. If you need to get back to your regular life sooner, non-ablative treatments are the way to go.
Try to figure out in advance how much time you can spend on healing. Also, remember any major events you have coming up and talk about them during your consultation.
At Martin’s Rejuvenation Centre, we know how important your skin care is to you, which is why we offer evening appointments to help accommodate your schedule while allowing you more time to heal.
Visit Us at Martin’s Rejuvenation Centre
Whether you still have questions or you’re ready to fully dive into these laser treatments, you can schedule a consultation with us to get talking.
Our laser technicians, Amy and Camille, have been with us for years — showing their skills, knowledge, and passion for skincare with each patient. Both technicians battled acne as teenagers, so they know how important it is to receive care that will make you feel at ease and understood, no matter where you are in your treatment journey.
Amy and Camille are excited to start this skincare journey with you!
You can chat with us today.
Amy
Camille
