Everything You Need to Know About Laser treatments
What do you know about laser light and laser therapies? Has anyone ever opted for a laser treatment before? A lot has been talked about laser therapies and how they work in treating several human health concerns. As you scroll to read further, you’ll be learning about various aspects of laser therapies and their effectiveness.
What is Laser Treatment?
When you talk about laser therapies, it references a medical treatment in which a device that eliminates laser light (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) to focus on a specific area and fix the respective concerns. The laser lights are tuned to restricted wavelengths, allowing for more precise focus. Different fields use laser light to cut metal and various other objects.
As for the field of medical science, laser therapies are recommended by medical professionals to treat specific concerns by working on the tissues in the human body. The use of laser light is restricted to the concerned spot to avoid damaging the surrounding tissues. Laser therapy does not result in physical scars or terrible pain. But if you compare them with any invasive treatment, they cost much higher.
How do Laser Treatments Work?
Many people wonder how does laser treatment work. To simply put it, a laser treatment varies depending on the purpose you use it for. So, for example, if you use laser light for a cosmetic procedure, it is directly applied to the skin. However, suppose you want o to treat a gland or area within your body. In that case, the procedure involves an endoscopy which allows the laser light to travel through the body and reach the target destination to begin treatment.
A flexible tube with the laser is inserted from an opening or through the mouth. Once it reaches the target area, the laser light reduces or shrinks the gland.
Types of laser treatments
Several types of laser surgeries are possible; the most common ones include the following.
- Cataract surgery
- Cosmetic surgery (tattoo removal, scar removal, hair removal, wrinkle treatment)
- Teeth whitening
- Refractive eye surgery
- Tumor removal
The type of laser light used to perform different procedures varies on the intensity of the procedure. For example, an LLLT or low-level laser therapy is preferred for skin or cosmetic laser treatment over high-intensity laser lights. On the other hand, a co2 laser beam is used to make a small and shallow cut.
What do laser treatments treat?
There is a vast list of things that can be treated with the help of laser therapy. As mentioned above, laser surgeries resolve minor cosmetic concerns or even tumor removal. Scroll down to find more treatable concerts with the help of laser therapy.
- Treating nerve or back pain
- Improving eyesight or vision
- Killing infection
- removing/destroying kidney stones
- Refixing a damaged retina
- Destroying cancer symptoms
- Shrink tumors
Laser treatment has shown significant differences in treating types of cancers. These include:
- Skin cancer
- Vaginal cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Lung cancer
- Vulvar cancer
Cosmetic skin laser therapy has been beneficial for removing tattoos, birthmarks, scars, blemishes, sun spots, wrinkles, facial hair, body hair and warts. It is also great for teeth whitening and many other cosmetic procedures. In addition, you can check a list of types of laser treatments for the face to improve your appearance.
Laser treatments can be used on all skin types
While you are looking forward to undergoing a laser procedure, you must know that not every skin type will experience the same effect of a laser procedure. Not all laser light and treatments are safe for your skin. However, there are certain ways from which you can determine whether your skin is eligible for a laser procedure. It is a myth that dark skin tone people can’t undergo laser treatment.
The Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype scale helps determine whether you can or cannot go forward with a laser procedure. The scale was originated by Harvard dermatologist Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, MD, in 1975. It helps classify an individual’s propensity to experience a burn compared to skin tanning. You can visit your dermatologist to know which category or level you classify. The scale distributes skis into six categories: pale skin, fair skin, light brown skin, brown skin, dark brown skin and black skin.
The darker your skin tone is, the lesser chances you experience a burn. In a laser procedure, the laser beam targets water, brown melanin or red hemoglobin in your body. People with darker skin tones have higher melanin in their skin which puts them at risk of damage. So, always check your skin types before you choose a laser procedure.
What Are the Laser Treatment Risks?
Although there are many pros to laser treatments, there is also a flip side that involves the following risks.
- Change in skin color
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Scaring
- Pain
Apart from these challenges, you must also know that the results of laser therapy may not be permanent. For example, you might require repeated sessions until you can see the results. This is why the overall cost of treatment may end up burning a hole in your pocket. So, before you get laser therapy, it is best to discuss all the details with your doctor to know the actual cost of treatment.
The cost of treatment may vary depending on the type of surgery you want. Also, the facility or medical professional fee may vary the total expenditure. So, research these various aspects before you prepare yourself for the treatment.
Benefits of laser treatments
Unlike traditional surgeries, laser therapy does not involve any surgical instruments. Even if a small cut is required to perform the treatment, it is kept to a minimum. Also, the duration of the surgery and the recovery time is a bare minimum. Laser surgery can be conducted under local anesthesia and in the presence of a medical practitioner. Also, there’ll be no signs of scars or swelling before and after the surgery. Therefore, you don’t need to stay overnight at a hospital to pay extra bills.
What Should I Expect During My Treatment?
The laser beam has a heating effect. So, during a laser procedure, the doctor or practitioner would use a cooling device or cooling gel to reduce the heating effect. In addition, you can experience a pin-pricking sensation as the laser beam passes through your skin.
You may experience soreness and redness for a few hours post the procedure. Also, remember that a laser treatment takes a few days to show its results. So, you’ll have to keep patience until you can see the final outcome.
Who is a good candidate for laser treatments?
Almost everyone can undergo a laser procedure to fix their concerns. However, you must check a few concerts like skin types, other health conditions and more before deciding. As discussed in the article, you must consult a dermatologist or a medical practitioner to know your skin types and other health concerns. For example, if a doctor approves you to undergo laser treatment, you are an eligible candidate to get laser therapy.
Hopefully, with so much information, you can decide whether you prefer a laser procedure or don’t. So, consider several factors and research before choosing the right treatment to cure your medical concerns.