THE LASER WAY. Want to change your face without cosmetic surgery?

Because of an engineer called Theodore Maiman we now have advances in beauty technology that were never before possible.  

He flicked a switch 50 years ago and watched as pulses of light came from a crystal – from this the LASER was born (it is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation).

Now, whatever the cosmetic problem there seems to be a laser procedure to combat it.  From facial lines and age spots to varicose veins and stretch marks, lasers are the way forward.  And most importantly they don’t involve a knife.

Dr Ronald Moy is president of the American Academy of Dermatology and has a practice in Beverly Hills:  ”Last year cosmetic options were mainly just peels, collagen fillers and facelift surgery but new technology changes this.  Now it is all about tightening, resurfacing, filling, prevention and repair”.  This is where lasers can have a real effect on how skin looks without serious, invasive surgery.

What is it?

A laser is a beam of intense light that carries its energy through the skin to where you want a change.  Depending on where on the face or body the laser is used it will be of different strengths and the light frequency will differ too.

Lasers can be used to remove the upper layer of skin and can stimulate the cells that produce collagen.  There are broadly two types of lasers used for cosmetic purposes.  Ablative (which means to vaporise at very high temperatures):  this removes the top layer and is used less frequently as there is more downtime (up to two weeks rest is often advised).  Non-ablative is gentler, less painful but you need to have more treatments to see a difference.  The newest kind of non-ablative treatment is a “fractional” laser.  It treats just 30 per cent of the skin each time and targets light energy using fine pinpricks in the skin’s surface.  This triggers a repair response, which is said to create new, plumper skin.

The main advantage of lasers is that they are non-invasive – ie. skin isn’t cut.  This also means no scarring and very minimal side effects.

The main disadvantage is that lasers in the hands of non-trained operatives could cause scarring, burning and bleeding.  Douglas McGeorge, consultant plastic surgeon at Spire Cheshire Hospital, says ”It’s really important to choose the right surgeon.  Laser treatments can now be undertaken in local beauty salons but they don’t always deliver the desired result.  My recommendation is that you use a qualified medical professional”.

The British Association for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) reported that 34,187 cosmetic procedures were undertaken in the UK last year, more than triple the number since 2003.  According to McGeorge, this increase is a direct reflection of the rise in less invasive, subtle treatments like laser.

Treatments available

PEARL:  This ablative laser treatment claims skin will look “pearlier”.  It will feel like extreme sunburn for a week but skin does appear younger.  0800 599 9911;  theprivateclinic.co.uk

Source: Saga Magazine

or call 0800 599 9911