The term laser can mean a lot of things—and sometimes it doesn’t refer to a laser at all. It is more of an umbrella term to encompass a variety of technologies to treat a myriad of skin conditions from lines and wrinkles to laxity and hyperpigmentation. At Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care, we are proud to be home to one of the largest laser suites in the area. Three of our most recommended, effective, and safe “lasers” include Clear + Brilliant, BBL, and Fraxel. Complimentary consultations are available for every treatment (lasers included), but it’s always a good idea to get acquainted with treatment even before a consult so you can make the most of this time.
Ultimately, during your consultation, we’ll work with you to match you with the best laser (or lasers) for your skin and goals. Some lasers do not work well with skin that has a lot of melanin. A lot of the time, the best results come from mixing and matching lasers since it’s common to have more than one skin issue (there are, after all, over 3,000 unique skin disorders). Let’s take a look at our top 3 so you can find out more about what everybody is raving about.
Clear + Brilliant
Clear + Brilliant is one of the mildest, gentlest lasers available and is often recommended for those in their 20s as a “pre-juvenation” treatment, but can also be an effective tool for skin that is a little more seasoned. This diode laser treatment might be for you if you’re starting to notice light lines around the eyes and mouth, typically the first place you’ll see them. Have lines on the cheeks? Notice that your skin texture feels rough? Been sporting some light “age spots?” These are all problems that Clear + Brilliant can treat.
Even though this is a gentle treatment, skin will be pink right after the treatment. You can expect this with any laser treatment. It usually goes away in a few hours. In the days following your treatment, skin might feel rougher and gritty while the superficial layer heals. However, just one week later, you’ll see that skin is brighter, more youthful, and softer. Most people opt for ongoing Clear + Brilliant treatments to keep those results as well as delay other signs of aging.
BBL
BBL, otherwise known as broadband light therapy, is a type of energy-based treatment that can brighten and enhance the skin while also stimulating collagen production. Collagen is what makes our skin youthful and plump in the first place, but we lose the ability to produce as much of it as we age. BBL is most often used on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands, though it can actually be used anywhere. You can use BBL to treat sun damage, pollution damage, and even acne, rosacea, and vascular lesions. Minimize lines, wrinkles, scars, dullness, melasma, and skin laxity with this preferred treatment.
If you’re using BBL for hyperpigmentation, you’ll see dark spots (moles, etc.) get darker in the days following the treatment. Don’t be concerned. This is part of the process and the lesion will soon slough away (looking similar to coffee grounds). If you see that hyperpigmentation after your treatment, that’s a sign that it’s working. Recovery is similar to Clear + Brilliant, with some redness but it does not last long.
Fraxel
Fraxel lasers might be the name you most recognize. It treats a wide variety of skin woes, working to peel the superficial layer of skin away to reveal younger-looking, clearer, glowing skin. From severe acne scarring to more substantial lines and wrinkles, Fraxel is the most powerful of this trio. The treatment sites can be just about anywhere, but like with BBL the most commonly treated areas are the most visible. This laser comes with two wavelengths in one. The first targets texture, scarring, and wrinkles while the other takes care of hyperpigmentation and sun damage. The Fraxel family has a few different options, each designed for different issues.
However, all Fraxel lasers work in the same way: the energy creates tiny columns of destruction within the skin to stimulate the formation of new, healthier skin cells. Working from the inside out, Fraxel can help you undo years of damage.
Find out which laser is best for you by getting in touch with Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care today. Call our office or, for immediate help, complete our online contact form now.