TREATMENTS · LASERS
What are aesthetic lasers?
Lasers are a broad category of light-based devices used for concerns including pigmentation, redness, texture, resurfacing and hair reduction. The right laser type depends heavily on the specific concern and skin type — "laser" isn't one treatment, it's a family of them.
What does it treat?
Depends on the laser type: pigmentation and sun damage, redness and visible vessels, overall texture and resurfacing, and unwanted hair. Different devices and wavelengths are matched to different concerns.
How does it work?
Laser energy targets specific structures in the skin, such as pigment or blood vessels, or is used to resurface the skin's surface. Ablative lasers remove a layer of skin; non-ablative lasers heat tissue beneath the surface without removing it.
What layer does it address?
Varies by device — from surface-level (some resurfacing and pigment treatments) to deeper dermal layers (some resurfacing and vascular treatments).
What does it NOT address?
Volume loss (that's fillers or biostimulators) or dynamic wrinkles caused by muscle movement (that's neuromodulators).
What is typical downtime?
Ranges widely — from none with some non-ablative treatments to a week or more with more aggressive ablative resurfacing. This depends entirely on the specific device and settings used.
How often is it repeated?
Some treatments, like IPL for pigmentation, are typically done as a series. Others, like deeper ablative resurfacing, may be done as a single session with a longer recovery.
Who may want to discuss this with a provider?
Anyone with pigmentation, redness, texture or resurfacing concerns that haven't responded to topical skincare alone.
Who may not be a candidate?
People with active tans, certain skin conditions, or those on medications that increase light sensitivity. Skin tone also matters — certain laser types carry a higher risk of pigment changes in darker skin, so laser type should be matched carefully to skin tone by a qualified provider.
What treatments are commonly compared with this?
Microneedling, since both address skin texture through different mechanisms (see microneedling vs laser), and chemical peels for surface-level resurfacing.
What should I ask a provider?
Which specific laser type is being recommended for your concern and skin tone, expected downtime for that device, and how many sessions are typically needed.
This page is educational and general in nature. It is not medical advice, and it does not replace an individualized consultation with a qualified, licensed provider.