Skin Blemishes and Laser Treatment- How much do you know about it

For a couple of months now, I’ve been receiving emails and DMs on our Instagram page from women everywhere complaining bitterly about various skin challenges ranging from skin tags, excess hair on the body, tribal marks, scars, etc. I’ve also received emails from those who are desperate to get rid of a tattoo they had when they were much younger.

After consultation with quite a number of them, I’ve concluded that skin blemishes, acne, wrinkles, scars, and other skin blemishes are a major source of concern for most people especially women.  Although these conditions may not be a major medical issue, they are, however, a source of insecurities, frustration, and embarrassment to a whole lot of women.

Skin blemishes come in different forms and are caused by several factors. Which include genetics, nutrition, exposure to sun rays, the side effect of certain drugs, environmental factors, age, childbearing, hormones, etc. Most of these can be treated with the use of Laser treatment.

If you were one of these women, which of these letters would you write to me:

Dear Dr. Laser,
My problem is stretch marks. I have it all over my body. I can hardly wear a short sleeved top. It has become so very embarrassing.

 

Dear Dr. Laser,
Acne is my problem, I’ve tried every medication or cream I know. These medications only bring temporary relief. I’m just tired, I need a permanent solution to this acne problem as I have a scar all over my face as a result of tampering with it. It’s embarrassing. Doctor, how can you help me?

Dear Dr. Laser,
I’m in my 40s and I’ve been noticing some early wrinkles on the side of my face. Doctor, I’m not ready to start looking old yet. I need your help to get rid of it.
 

Dear Dr. Laser,
Sir, I need your help desperately. I’m a woman and I have hair in a lot of embarrassing parts of my body including my chest and chin. I have tried all remedy that has not worked and I’ve resorted to shaving that parts of my body every 3 days which is very uncomfortable. Please, I need a permanent solution to this.

Laser resurfacing can be used to treat several skin issues such as wrinkles, scars, warts, stretch marks, hyperpigmentation, varicose vein, dark eye circle, etc.

What exactly is Laser Treatment?

Laser means Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It is the concentration of intense beams of light, carefully focused by the use of a machine. When applied, certain structures (chromophore) in the body absorb the Laser Light, e.g  Melanin  pigment of the hair follicle, which then destroy the hair root. When the same light is used in form of CO2 laser R 1540 (Paloma laser used in Grandville) it causes collagen production under the skin which is used in stretch marks treatment.

Here is how Laser resurfacing works on some skin blemishes.

Laser Treatment on wrinkles

In clearing wrinkles and lines caused by excess sun exposure, Laser resurfacing will vaporise superficial layers of your facial skin in removing not only wrinkles but also creases around the nose area, acne scars, and even some benign superficial growths. This treatment helps to produce collagen production by stretching the collagen-producing cells known as fibroblasts. Therefore creating more collagen and also producing new cell surface.

Laser Treatment for Permanent Hair Removal

For hair removal, the affected area will be exposed to pulses of Laser light that destroys the hair follicle to minimize hair growth. The Laser detects the hair exclusively by focussing on the pigment cells that reside in the hair follicle. The moment the melanin in the hair is targeted, the Laser burns all the way down to the hair follicle and root. The hair follicle is responsible for regulating hair growth.

Laser Treatment for Stretch Marks

Laser stretch marks removal is done through Laser resurfacing. The resurfacing works by removing the outer layer of skin to help restructure the overlying skin. Beams of light are used in concentrated amounts to promote new growth thereby making the marks look smoother.

Laser treatment can be used in either destroying the upper layer of the skin thereby making your newly generated skin tissues smoother in texture and appearance or simply target the underlying areas of the skin’s surface to promote collagen growth from the inside out.

Laser Treatment for Tattoo Removal

The Laser treatment works by breaking up the pigment colours with high-intensity light beam emanating from the Laser. Black tattoos are usually the easiest to remove because it absorbs all tattoo wavelength. Multi- coloured tattoos usually need different wavelengths and are usually more difficult to remove.

After a tattoo Laser removal, you may experience some swelling, blisters or bleeding. You can make use of antibacterial ointment to promote healing.

Many tattoos don’t leave at one- time treatment. You need to repeat the sessions to clear of all the tattoos especially if the tattoos are multi-coloured and large

Before you go for your Laser treatment the following conditions need to be adhered to

• Avoid certain medications that can affect the healing process of Laser treatment. Some of these medications include some supplement, aspirins, etc
• You would need to stop somebody creams or skin products that contains retinol or glycolic for at least 2 weeks of the procedure
• If you smoke, stop for about 2 weeks before treatment
• Avoid prolong exposure to the sun

Possible Complications after Surgery

Complications from Laser resurfacing treatment may include scarring, bacterial infections, change in skin pigmentation, skin shade may change, burns from the heat of laser treatment. All these are treatable or will get better with time.

Every day, medical science is advancing so much so that it is providing a solution to various medical health issues regardless of the nature of it. We are to take advantage of the remedies provided by advanced technology to live life with confidence, comfort, and joys

Watch out for my next post.

Grandville Medical and Laser

Where health meets beauty…