With time, the skin begins exhibiting signs of age: Wrinkles, fine lines, blotchiness, pigmentation issues, or a general sense of sagging. At CAMI Med Spa in Huntersville and CAMI Med Spa in Greensboro, we hear from many patients who long for a way to correct these issues, without the need for surgical intervention or an extended recovery period.
Laser treatments are often the best approach, improving the quality of the skin without requiring significant downtime. It’s important to remember that not all laser treatments are created equal, and before you receive treatment, it’s necessary to determine which is the best laser treatment aligned with your cosmetic goals.
When you join us for a consultation, one of our providers will examine your skin, listen to your concerns, and recommend the laser skin resurfacing therapy modality that’s right for you. In this article, we’ll provide a quick overview of the options available for some of the most common skin conditions.
Choosing the Best Laser Treatments
For Laser Skin Resurfacing: Sciton
Often, our patients simply want to know what they can do to reduce the signs of aging on their face, neck, decollette and even their hands. Much of the time, our answer involves laser skin resurfacing. Laser skin resurfacing is a therapy in which the outer layers of the skin are carefully, precisely removed, revealing healthy-looking new skin underneath.
Laser skin resurfacing is one of the best laser treatments all-around and is especially helpful for patients who are dealing with wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, or acne scars. Additionally, the new skin that is formed during laser skin resurfacing tends to be tighter than the old skin layers, meaning this can potentially be a smart way to address sagginess.
At CAMI Med Spa, we perform laser skin resurfacing using the Sciton laser. The Sciton allows us to gently and carefully remove damaged layers of skin, revealing the more youthful-looking skin underneath. It’s one of the best laser treatments for wrinkles, lines, and more.
The Sciton laser can be used to treat skin almost anywhere on the body. Treatments are all done in-office, and typically take no more than 30 to 45 minutes. Our patients always find these treatments to be comfortable, and topical numbing solutions may be used as needed.
After-effects of the Sciton laser tend to be minimal, with swelling being the most common side effect.
For Skin Tightening: GentleMax
As we age, our skin tends to lose its elasticity… and as that happens, it can result in drooping or sagging. Laser skin tightening can reverse this process, making the skin tighter and more youthful. At CAMI, we believe the best laser for skin tightening is the GentleMax.
So how does the process work? The GentleMax laser sends laser energy directly into your skin tissue. This process is very well-tolerated by patients; in fact, GentleMax has a built-in cooling system that ensures patient comfort throughout their treatment.
As the laser energy is transmitted, the body absorbs it as heat, without any harm to the surface area. This heat triggers your body’s innate healing ability, and specifically kickstarts collagen production. The surge of collagen helps restore your skin’s tightness and tone.
Skin tightening sessions tend to be quick and comfortable. In fact, most patients are in and out of treatment in under an hour. There is no down time required after treatment, leaving patients free to head straight back to work or their other daily activities. There may be some mild swelling or some redness, but these side effects typically resolve on their own within a day or two.
Best for Hyperpigmentation: BroadBand Light Therapy (BBL Therapy)
Still another common issue that can be resolved through laser therapy is hyperpigmentation. This occurs when the skin takes on a darker hue, whether in small patches or large areas of the body. Hyperpigmentation can be caused by any number of factors, but two of the most common are inflammation and prolonged sun exposure, both of which can cause a rush of melanin production. While hyperpigmentation is usually not a serious medical condition, it can be an aesthetic concern.
To address hyperpigmentation, our team recommends broadband light therapy, or BBL. BBL involves intense pulses of laser light, which remove imperfections and dead skin cells. With BBL, our team can precision-target the areas of the body that have become discolored. (It’s worth noting that, in addition to hyperpigmentation, BBL can also effectively treat sunspots, bruises, birthmarks, facial spider veins, redness from rosacea, and more.)
There are a number of benefits to BBL, starting with the fact that it can be used almost anywhere on the body. Treatments are fast, and there is no down time required. Our patients are kept comfortable during the procedure, with little or no pain. And, because it triggers collagen production, BBL offers results that are both instantaneous and long-lasting.
Are Laser Treatments Right for Me?
While laser treatments have been around for a long time, it hasn’t always been accessible to all patients. Historically, many of the most popular lasers have been useful only for certain skin tones.
The good news is that laser therapies have advanced considerably, and there are now options available for any patient. As such, most patients who have skin imperfections are qualified for laser therapy. The best way to ensure your eligibility is to schedule a consultation here at CAMI.
Deciding the Best Laser Treatment for You
As you choose from the best laser treatments available, we invite you to come meet with one of our providers.
During your initial consultation, we’ll be happy to talk with you about your aesthetic needs, to take a look at your skin condition, and to answer any questions you may have about the treatment or the recovery. We’re here to help you identify the laser therapy best matched to your skin condition.
We understand that laser therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all, and we’re always happy to recommend the best laser treatments for individual patients. If you’re ready to find out more about improving your skin via laser technology, contact the team at CAMI at your next opportunity.