The use of lasers in cosmetic surgery has become widespread in recent years. Cosmetic surgeons have touted the use of lasers for everything from facelifts to hair transplants. Claims have been made that lasers greatly reduce pain, as well as swelling and bruising.
What are They and How are They Used?
A laser is a tube that converts various frequencies of light into one small intensified beam. Depending on its wavelength, the beam may be absorbed by different substances like water or hemoglobin in blood. While laser light can be used to vaporize tissue or even simultaneously cut and seal blood vessels, cosmetic surgeons have noticed particular types of lasers are useful in treating other problems such as skin lesions, port-wine stains, and spider veins on the cheeks and nose. They have also been used for removing tattoos.
Finding Their Place
One of the largest advantages for using lasers is the reduced bleeding over surgery with a scalpel alone. The heat of the laser's beam coagulates the blood of smaller blood vessels as it cuts. Proponents also say that the laser does not cause tissue and muscle to twitch.
Lasers have emerged as a new method of treatment for facial resurfacing over the last several years as well.
Tattoos
Tattoos go as far back as Ancient Egypt, and attempts at removing them are just as old. Cosmetic surgeons see many examples where a tattoo has caused diminished employment prospects, loss of love, and even loss of self-esteem for the wearer. Tattoo artists are often asked to tattoo over the unwanted art.
The modern Q-switch laser has rendered most of these past cosmetic surgery techniques obsolete. It works by targeting the tattoo pigment with a high-powered, brief pulse of light in a procedure known as laser tattoo removal.
Birthmarks and Hyperpigmentation
A purple-coloured birthmark that covers part of the face is a common blemish of the complexion. These stains, known as port-wine, strawberry, or cherry naevi, have been treated quite successfully with argon lasers for some time. The argon laser uses a continuous beam aimed at abnormal blood vessels, while other pulse-type lasers use flashes that are absorbed only by the blood's red hemoglobin so only the abnormal blood vessels are destroyed.
Recent technological advances have improved the efficiency of lasers. Fractional lasers, such as the StarLux™ 500, direct laser light that passes through the top layer of skin and fills the area of the unwanted discolouration with columns of energy. This allows for only the excess pigment to be targeted and accelerates the recovery process, as well as the appearance of desirable results. Most types of pigmented lesions can be removed.
Skin Tightening
Loose skin is one of the most common complaints when it comes to the aesthetics of our appearance as we age. Part of the regular aging process, the skin loses its elasticity with the disintegration of collagen. Wrinkles appear and sagging is normal.
Fortunately, the power of laser energy has provided the ability to tighten the skin without surgical means. In a series of non-invasive treatments, undesirable loose skin can be tightened with incredible results.
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