What is Laser Treatment?
Laser Treatment is a form of aesthetic dermatological treatment performed on the skin surface to reduce or remove skin blemishes such as freckles, unsightly facial or leg veins, wrinkles, acne scars, unwanted hair and even tattoos. The technique involves directing short pulses of laser beams directly on the skin surface area to be treated. Laser treatment can be done on the face and body, and the type of treatment you will need depends on the severity of your condition and the area in which it will be performed. Keep reading to find out more about the laser treatments we offer and how they work.
What are the Different Types of Laser Treatment Used in Thomson Specialist Skin Centre
GentleMax Laser Treatment
The GentleMax laser treatment emits a strong beam of high-intensity light that penetrates deeply into the skin tissue and delivers a controlled burst of targeted therapeutic heat. The effectiveness of the procedure depends on the patient, severity of the condition as well as the type of treatment. For instance, hair removal requires multiple sessions during the active growth phase of the hair follicle for maximum effectiveness. Other conditions may require just one treatment, depending on severity of the condition.
WHAT IS THE GENTLEMAX LASER TREATMENT SUITABLE FOR TREATING?
• Hair Removal
• Leg (Varicose) and Facial Veins Removal
• Pigmented Lesions (Freckles / Sun Spots / Age Spots)
• Wrinkle Reduction
• Skin Tightening
IS THE GENTLEMAX LASER TREATMENT SAFE?
The risks are minimal. Side effects may include redness, swelling, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, blistering or purpura on the treated area. However, these effects do not last more than a few days.
IS THE GENTLEMAX LASER TREATMENT PAINLESS?
Some patients may experience a slight discomfort during each laser pulse, similar to the feeling of a rubber band snapping on the skin. However, this discomfort is minimized by the Dynamic Cooling Device technology which delivers a cooling burst of cryogen to the upper layers of the skin before and after the laser pulse, thus protecting it during the laser treatment, and ensuring minimal side effects from the heat emissions
RevLite Laser Hair Removal
The RevLite Laser hair removal treatment uses the principle of selective photothermolysis (SPTL) which targets a specific wavelength of light with the light pulses. The laser passes through the skin and is absorbed by the hair follicle, thus damaging the follicle and disrupting its growth causing the hair to fall out. Hair regrowth afterwards would be thinner and finer. Laser treatments are most effective on dark hair as they target the pigment on the hair follicle – darker hair contains more pigment and is thus a more effective absorbent. Traditionally, this meant that those with dark skin may get burns or scars during the treatment as the lasers could target the melanin on the skin as well. However, lasers with PhotoAcoustic energy are the safest lasers available today and can be used even on patients with dark skin. RevLite features an advanced setting with PhotoAcoustic Technology Pulse that is effective and safe and effective on all skin colours and tones.
WHAT AREAS OF THE BODY IS THE REVLITE LASER HAIR REMOVAL TREATMENT SUITABLE FOR?
• Face
• Legs
• Arms
• Underarms
• Bikini Line
• Back
IS THE REVLITE LASER HAIR REMOVAL TREATMENT PERMANENT?
To ensure long term effectiveness of the laser hair removal treatment, multiple visits are necessary.
IS THE REVLITE LASER HAIR REMOVAL TREATMENT PAINLESS?
Laser treatments that use the PhotoAcoustic technology generally give a “tingling” sensation on the skin, but are otherwise painless.
RevLite Laser Therapy for Brown Spots and Sun Spots
The RevLite Laser Therapy treatment targets pigmented lesions such as brown spots, sun spots, freckles which occur when there is a high concentration of melanin in one area. The lasers emit a special wavelength of light that is absorbed by the pigmented lesions and as the light vibrates, it shatters the pigment, breaking the melanin into micro particles and lightening the lesion. As the lasers only work on specific and targeted areas that contain excess melanin, they do not affect areas of the skin with normal pigmentation. The procedure is effective for most conditions within one or two treatments, though for darker or deeper lesions more sessions may be required. The RevLite Laser Therapy treatment can also be used for deeper pigmentation problems such as melasma using the PhotoAcoustic Technology Pulse setting which provides extra power needed for such treatments.
WHAT FORMS OF SKIN PIGMENTATION IS THE REVLITE LASER THERAPY TREATMENT SUITABLE FOR TREATING?
• Pigmented Lesions (Sun Spots / Freckles / Age Spots)
• Birth Spots
• Nevus of Ova
• Melasma
IS THE REVLITE LASER THERAPY TREATMENT PAINLESS?
The PhotoAcoustic technology used emits light in very fast, short pulses that cause a minor “tingling” sensation on the skin. After laser treatment, the area will feel similar to a mild sunburn. However, any redness will disappear within a day or two.
RevLite Laser Tattoo Removal
Lasers target tattoos with a very specific wavelength of light energy – each ink colour requires a specific wavelength of laser light – which traces the tattoo design without affecting the surrounding skin. The RevLite lasers using PhotoAcoustic Technology Pulse safely penetrate the skin and target the tattoo ink, and the light energy gently vibrates and shatters the tattoo ink into micro particles that are eventually eliminated through the body’s natural processes as waste.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT DIFFICULTY IN TATTOO REMOVAL
• Easiest – Blue / Black / Red
• Harder – Orange / Purple
• Hardest – Green / Sky Blue / Yellow / White
IS THE REVLITE LASER TATTOO REMOVAL PAINLESS?
The PhotoAcoustic technology used emits light in very fast, short pulses that cause a minor “tingling” sensation on the skin, followed by a warm feeling. As the tattoo ink absorbs the laser energy, some patients may experience mild discomfort which may be allayed by cooling the skin first via ice or cool air.
IS THE REVLITE LASER TATTOO REMOVAL PROCESS PERMANENT?
Laser Tattoo Removal requires several sessions, depending on the size of the tattoo, the amount of ink used and the depth of the ink in the skin. Over time, the tattoo fades noticeably and the skin returns to its normal colour. Generally, the effectiveness of this treatment is about 95%.
MiXto SX® CO2 Fractional Laser
MiXto SX® stands for the Mixture between CO2 energy and fractional resurfacing, while the SX stands for surgical. The CO2 beam heats and vaporizes the skin tissue on the area it comes into contact with, instantly removing the superficial layers of the skin, scars and wrinkles while smoothing out the surface of the skin. It is a fast and effective laser treatment that causes minimal discomfort while requiring less downtime for recovery after the treatment.
WHAT IS THE MIXTO SX® CO2 FRACTIONAL LASER SUITABLE FOR TREATING?
CO2 is a Carbon Dioxide laser used for the treatment of conditions such as fine and deep wrinkles, scars of various origin (including acne scarring), uneven pigmentation and dilated pores. It is particularly useful for acne scars as carbon dioxide lasers are more powerful and penetrate deeper in order to remodel collagen and scar tissue. There are several types of acne scars – ranging from superficial pits, to deep holes and craters and also keloids. Very superficial acne scars can be treated with chemical peels and non-ablative laser therapy. Deeper scars would respond better to a form of fractional carbon-dioxide laser resurfacing laser treatment such as the MiXto SX® CO2 Fractional Laser. Results can be seen almost immediately, and you will continue to see results for up to six months with new collagen regeneration. For acne scars, 3 to 4 treatments are recommended for full recovery to be seen.
WHAT AREAS OF THE BODY IS THE MIXTO SX® CO2 FRACTIONAL LASER SUITABLE FOR?
• face
• neck
• chest
• hands
IS THE MIXTO SX® CO2 FRACTIONAL LASER TREATMENT SAFE?
Laser-treated areas may experience some inflammation and swelling and can last up to 24 hours. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation may occur as well. This procedure does disrupt the epidermis, so patients would expect more redness, as well as formation of scabs and crusts that may take about a week to fall off. Following that, there is usually some faint redness that gradually fades, and the procedure is repeated after 2 months.
Recovery period for this treatment is minimal – 4 to 5 days of downtime is typical.
IS THE MIXTO SX® CO2 FRACTIONAL LASER TREATMENT PAINLESS?
There is minimal pain/discomfort caused as the feeling is similar to a mild sunburn.
Post Treatment Skin Care
Thomson Wellth Stem Cell Activator Mask is specifically formulated for the relief of damaged skin following dermatological procedures. Learn more about Thomson Wellth Stem Cell Activator Mask.