Of late, many people are opting for lazers treatment for hair reduction, skin rejuvenation and skin lesions. Lazers are medical devices, which produce high-energy, focused beams of intense, single-coloured light, and heat which have been found— through ongoing research and extensive clinical experience — to selectively interact, in very useful ways, upon various tissues within the skin and body. The amount and distribution of energy in laser light is more precisely delivered. So this may have an advantage over mechanical application of a scalpel or topical chemicals, for the successful treatment of many aesthetic and medical conditions.

Hair removal

This is a cosmetic procedure that uses a powerful laser like diode to remove unwanted hair. This light source heats and destroys hair follicles in the skin, which disrupts hair growth. Common areas to treat are face, legs, arms, underarms & bikini line. It can be helpful for women with hirsutism (excessive hair growth). Generally, it’s most effective on women with pale skin and dark hair.

You may be recommended up to six sessions, spaced about four to six weeks apart. The results of laser hair removal may not be permanent. They usually last from weeks to months, and regular sessions may be needed to achieve and maintain the desired effect. There’s no guarantee it will clear all the hair. Take time to find a reputable practitioner who is properly qualified and practices in a clean, safe and appropriate environment.

On the day, you’ll wear specially designed goggles to protect your eyes during the procedure. Local anaesthetic isn’t necessary. The practitioner will apply a cool gel or cooling air spray to the area of the skin. They then press a hand-held device to your skin and trigger the laser. This may feel like an elastic band snapping at your skin. The number of sessions needed depends on the area to be lasered and the system used.

The area may be red with a raised rash for up to 24 hours afterwards. Holding an ice pack to the skin may help. Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun after laser hair removal. Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds for at least a week after treatment, and use sunscreen.

Skin Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing uses a specially crafted beam of thermal energy like carbon dioxide laser that gets to work deep into the layers of your skin. Unlike peels or abrasive skin exfoliation, these laser beams of heat precisely target and vaporize damaged skin. By creating injury to the old skin, the body works to create new, tighter skin that has smaller pores and fewer wrinkles and blemishes. Skin resurfacing removes the epidermis and penetrates into the papillary dermis, which responds by producing new collagen. This allows healing and regeneration of the skin. This is usually done to improve wrinkles or acne scars or other imperfections from the skin.

Removal of Birthmarks, tattoos & Skin Lesions

Port-wine stain birthmarks respond remarkably well to laser treatment. The abnormal blood vessels that cause these marks are reduced in size by the laser. This results in a lightening of the treated area. Skin growths, facial “spider veins,” warts, and some tattoos respond to laser surgery. Most situations take more than one laser treatment, but some respond to a single treatment. The tattoos can also be removed by a special laser.

With new technology lasers have become safe to use. But it is important to go to a trained cosmetic surgeon who has the knowledge of lasers for these procedures. Lasers can be harmful if not applied properly. The plastic surgeon often uses the minimum laser intensity possible. The low intensity requires many treatments. However, the low intensity also preserves as much of the healthy tissue as possible. This produces an aesthetically pleasing result.

After your surgeon has indicated that a laser can be helpful in the surgery, your surgeon will explain the laser of choice and what can be accomplished. As with all surgery, the laser has its limitations. Often the results are very good. Your surgeon will give you the best judgment for the particular procedure.

Some surgeons may use local anesthetics to numb the treated area before the surgery. Because safety is a major component of laser use, your surgeon will describe safety precautions before the surgery.

The writer is Dr Anup Dhir, Senior Consultant, Cosmetic Surgeon at Apollo Hospital, New Delhi