While following a daily skin care regime is an integral part of creating a flawless complexion, sometimes it’s just not enough. No matter how much we cleanse, tone and moisturise, there are always those parts of our skin we wish we could make disappear. You know the ones, the dark spots, acne scars, broken capillaries and pesky wrinkles. Luckily, where regular skin care falls short, lasers step in. Together with Dr Garth Dicker fromCosmetic & Laser Medical Centres, we’ve created your ultimate guide to getting the perfect complexion with the latest laser treatments.

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How Do Lasers Work?

“Essentially a laser works by producing a single and specific wavelength (or colour) of light,” says Dr Dicker. “When this light is concentrated it produces heat which can then be used to specifically target structures in the skin.” Some lasers are made to target melanin (the brown pigment in skin and hair), allowing it to zap dark spots for a clearer complexion and target follicles for laser hair removal. Other wavelengths target red tones to rid the skin of acne scars, rosacea, broken capillaries and blood vessels.

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What is Laser Skin Resurfacing?

According to Dr Dicker, “Laser skin resurfacing is when a laser device is used to produce a smoother and younger looking skin surface.” The technique, which focuses on skin texture rather than redness and pigmentation, is most commonly used to reduce lines and wrinkles, as well as tighten and smooth skin.

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Difference Between Ablative and Non-Ablative Treatments

When it comes to laser skin resurfacing, there are two types. Ablative and non-ablative treatments, which both work to rejuvenate skin, are quite different in the way that they work. “‘Ablative’ refers to removing the surface (epidermal) layer of skin whereas ‘non-ablative’ refers to not removing the surface layer of skin,” says Dr Dicker. “Ablative treatments can give faster results, but the flip side is that there is more downtime and a greater risk of complications.” While it can be hard to choose between the two types, Dr Dicker says that there may be a third option. Fractional ablative procedures have become a recent trend. The procedure limits how much skin is removed during ablative treatments to reduce downtime while still offering quick results.

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How Do I Know Which Laser is Best for Me?

Laser treatments can be very effective, but they can also be tricky. Everyone’s skin is different and requires different treatment. To find the best laser for you, consult a professional at a cosmetic orskin care laser centre. The practitioner there will be able to recommend the best treatment for both your skin and the results you want to see. According to Dr Dicker, it’s also important to know that in “most states of Australia there is no regulatory control on either the necessary qualifications of laser practitioners or quality control standards on which laser machines can be used.” To ensure that you’re receiving the best treatment, he recommends doing your research and choosing a medical laser clinic with experienced, University-qualified, practitioners.

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The Best Latest Skin Treatments

As technology and science continue to evolve, laser therapies continue to become more efficient and innovative. Leading the way in this innovation, and creating the latest and best skin treatments, isCynosure. Cynosure is a world leader in the field of laser technology, continuously developing and manufacturing new and improved aesthetic laser and light-based technologies. Known for beautiful results and life changing benefits, Cynosure creates the best new laser therapies for achieving gorgeous skin, such as Picosure Skin Revitalisation and Revlite Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser.

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1. Picosure Skin Revitalisation Treatment

Picosure laser is the new gold standard for skin revitalisation and the treatment of wrinkles, acne scars and pigmentation problems. The laser harnesses the power of picosecond technology to deliver ultra-short (trillionths of a second) pulses to the skin to stimulate elastin and collagen production. This revolutionary technology means that patients can achieve the exceptional results of an ablative laser without the same skin damage. The treatment is outstanding for creating rejuvenated, youthful and clear skin with little to no downtime.

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How Long Does it Take to Heal?

Downtime for Picosure patients is minimal. Although the treatment is typically followed by a few hours of mild redness and swelling, patients can resume daily activities immediately.

Does It Hurt?

According to Dr Dicker, Picosure treatments are “typically described as feeling like a mild to moderate tingling and heat sensation on the skin.” Despite the minor discomfort, most patients find the procedure easy to tolerate.