Laser skin treatments are one of the most effective ways to treat a wide range of skin concerns, from sun damage and wrinkles to scars and unwanted hair. But many people wonder why it is that they may need more than one laser treatment to get the results they are looking for. The answer comes down to the science behind how laser skin treatments work.
Understanding How Lasers Work
Laser treatments work by delivering concentrated beams of light to targeted areas of the skin. Depending on the type of laser, this light energy can remove damaged skin layers, stimulate collagen production, destroy hair follicles or target and break up pigment in the skin (or tattoos). Laser treatments can be customized by adjusting the laser’s wavelength, pulse duration and energy level to reach specific depths of skin without damaging the surrounding tissue.
Because your skin and hair follicles grow and heal in cycles, and because most lasers are designed to work best on specific phases of those cycles, it’s rarely possible to achieve complete results in a single session. Thus, most laser treatments are part of a series, allowing each subsequent session to treat a new cycle of skin or hair over time and gradually improving your outcome with each treatment.
The Number of Treatments Depends on Laser Type
This explanation often leads into the next common question, “How many laser treatments will I need?” The answer depends on the type of laser that is used, as well as your specific skin concerns. Laser hair removal, for example, can require 6 to 12 sessions to fully remove the unwanted hair in the treatment area, while a CO2 laser like the CO2RE laser may only require a single treatment for best results.
Similarly, more superficial skin concerns, such as mild sun damage, may be able to be treated in fewer sessions than deeper skin concerns, such as acne scarring or deep wrinkles.
Some Laser Treatments Require Maintenance Treatments
While the vast majority of laser skin treatments offer long-lasting results, they are not typically considered to be permanent. This is because your skin continues to age and is continuously exposed to environmental factors like the sun and air pollution, which can affect your skin’s health and appearance over time. Thus, periodic maintenance treatments may be needed to keep your same smooth results.
The frequency of these maintenance treatments can widely vary and will depend on a number of factors, including your skin concern, the laser used and the area that was treated. For example, laser hair removal and CO2 laser treatment results can last for years before a touch-up treatment may be required. Other types of lasers or light treatments, such as broadband light (BBL) therapy, may require sooner touch-ups.
Still have questions about laser skin treatments or curious about how many laser treatments you might need? Call our Tampa office at 813-877-8067 or easily contact us online to schedule a consultation with one of our laser treatment experts to discuss your specific needs.
Author: Caroll Delo, CCE, CME
Lead aesthetician and co-owner of Simply Smooth, Caroll Delo has over a decade of experience in cosmetic surgery, laser treatments, and medical grade skincare services. Her vast knowledge in cosmetic medicine helps make sure that every man and woman who enters our doors receives top-quality care and expertise.