When people think about laser treatment for face care, it is usually thought of as an isolated treatment removed from more traditional methods. The truth is that many skilled beauty technicians use laser therapy as only one part of a more expansive professional facial care routine. Whether it be chemical peels, micro needling, PRP therapy, or dermal fillers, there are many forms of face care that can accentuate the truly amazing power of laser therapy.
At NuSkinnovation, we pride ourselves on using only the most advanced laser technologies and several other aesthetic services to provide our South African clientele with a uniquely premium service. From our comprehensive skin consultations to microneedling, chemical peels, and more, we are able to provide you with a routine that suits your needs.
In this article, we’ll be looking at a number of popular procedures that can be combined with laser treatment for face care to show just how diverse the treatment is. We will highlight not only how experts combine these cosmetic therapies together, but also how beneficial it is to combine these procedures for improved skin health.
Chemical Peels And Laser Treatment For Face
One of the most popular procedures combined with laser treatment for face care are chemical peels. Chemical peels are an exfoliation method that makes use of a chemical solution. The goal of this treatment is to efficiently remove the upper layer of damaged or dead skin, uncovering the smooth protected layer of skin underneath it. Depending on your skin’s sensitivity, there are varying strengths of chemical peels you can opt for. The strength of the peel is linked to the chemical used, which can range from alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) to trichloroacetic acids (TCA).
Most commonly, professional beauty technicians will look to use a light chemical peel with non-ablative laser therapy. The chemical peel focuses on removing the top layer of damaged skin while laser therapy reaches the lower levels of skin to stimulate collagen production. By using these treatments together, not only are all levels of your skin being effectively treated, but the results of smooth, fresh looking skin are easier to achieve and maintain.
Advantages Of Chemical Peels
By first providing a light chemical peel to remove the upper layer of dead skin, the laser is able to reach the deeper layer of skin and therefore can more easily stimulate collagen production. On the other hand, the stimulation of collagen production is then able to provide the new layer of skin with a much needed collagen boost for more striking results.
These, however, are not the only benefits to consider. It has been shown that a combination of chemical peels and laser treatment for face care has had greater results in reducing skin pigmentation and producing a smoother skin texture.
Disadvantages Of Chemical Peels
Many of the drawbacks of this combination are rooted in overuse and lack of professional application. The biggest issue is the risk of over-exfoliation. Although a chemical peel is the biggest contributor to skin exfoliation, laser therapy also has minor exfoliation capabilities. If the chemical peel is not correctly timed with the laser treatment, it can lead to cases of over exfoliation which may severely injure the skin.
One must also be aware that these treatments, even by themselves, can be stressful on the skin, and when not performed by a professional, the skin is very likely to become overly red and irritated. Thankfully, our technicians at NuSkinnovation are experts in skincare that understand the limits of your skin. Generally, our technicians will recommend that you do not use more intense chemical peels or ablative lasers when doing the treatments at the same time.
Microneedling And Laser Treatment For Face
Another popular treatment combination that boosts skin health is microneedling with laser treatment for the face. Although microneedling is another broadly used therapy method, it may not be as popular as chemical peels.
Here’s a quick breakdown of everything you need to know about microneedling. Microneedling has a fairly similar result to laser therapy as both procedures help to stimulate collagen production. Where lasers make use of heat, however, microneedling uses a stress method to boost collagen production. Microneedling is done by inserting very fine sterilised needles into the skin, performing controlled injuries that stimulate the skin’s natural healing ability by inciting collage production. This collagen not only heals these small stress wounds, but also helps rejuvenate the skin.
Both laser and microneedling treatments are used to increase the rate at which collagen is produced, which is why doing them together can actually enhance the production of collagen to an even greater extent. Additionally, using these methods at the same time allows professionals to better tailor the process for a variety of skin concerns, like acne or wrinkles. When done together, the needle is first inserted to create what is known as a micro-channel, which allows the laser to more effectively reach the deeper layers of skin and induce the collagen.
Advantages Of Microneedling
As previously discussed, the synergistic nature of these two treatments being performed together enhances their ability to produce collagen. This is highly beneficial for the skin and is the main reason why professionals encourage this treatment combination.
Additionally, post laser care is also more effective due to the micro-channels created by the needles. This is because the skin will better absorb the cooling serums and other products used to treat the affected areas after laser therapy. This therapy combination has also shown to be more effective at dealing with skin conditions like acne, wrinkles and fine lines.
Disadvantages Of Microneedling
Although microneedling and the micro-pores they create have many positive effects on the skin, there can also be some drawbacks if the microneedling is performed poorly. Most importantly, the client may get micro-tears, which occurs when the needle is inserted too deep or not gently enough. These micro-tears, if not picked up quickly, will over enhance the laser portion of the treatment, leading to increased laser sensitivity that may cause the skin to become highly red and irritated.
It should also be noted that by performing two treatments with similar functions, there is the risk of collagen over-stimulation. This can have negative consequences in the long run as the rate at which collagen can be produced may be permanently reduced. However, if you are treated by a professional who is skilled at both laser treatment for face care and microneedling, these disadvantages can be easily avoided.
PRP Therapy And Laser Treatment For Face
Platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) therapy has been around for a long time and the procedure has its origins linked to medical roots. From roughly 1970 to 1980, PRP therapy was first adopted into the fields of orthopaedics and dentistry, but finally made its way into the cosmetic industry by the early 2000s. This indicates that today, PRP applications are very well established in the beauty industry and are used by many technicians to help clients achieve their aesthetic goals.
Let’s break down what platelet-rich-plasma therapy entails. It is a rather scientific procedure in which a small amount of the patient’s blood is medically extracted. This blood is then processed in such a way that it can concentrate the platelets – which are rich in “growing factors”. The result is platelet rich plasma which is either injected back into the clients skin or transformed into a topical cream for the skin.
The combination of PRP therapy and laser treatment for face care is rather rare as the equipment needed to perform blood concentration and aesthetic laser therapy are both extremely specialised and not many beauty or laser clinics will have access to both. However, if you are lucky enough to find a facility that has both treatments and the professional qualifications to perform them, these treatments can complement each other well.
The heat from laser treatments can often lead to minor damage of the client’s skin, generally resulting in red skin or mild irritation. However, PRP therapy actually increases the skin’s ability to heal, meaning that it can help patients recuperate more quickly after laser treatment for face. In the same way that microneedling can induce collagen growth, so too can PRP therapy through the platelets growth factors. Therefore, not only can it help the skin repair itself quicker, but it can also enhance the results of laser treatments.
Advantages Of PRP Therapy
The biggest advantage of combining laser treatment for face care with PRP therapy is that it supports the skin with quicker recovery, making the entire process a lot more client friendly. It also benefits the client in enhancing the aesthetic results, as it makes good use of the growth factors in your platelets.
Another big advantage is that PRP therapy is natural and safe. This is because the procedure makes use of your own blood, meaning there is a massive reduction in the likelihood that you would experience any sort of allergic or negative reaction towards the application of the platelet plasma.
Disadvantages Of PRP Therapy
As mentioned above, PRP therapy is a very specialised treatment method. This means that it can be both time consuming and costly as technicians have to draw your blood, concentrate it and, if need be, convert it into an application cream. All of these processes will take time and money, and should therefore be carefully considered before opting for such a treatment.
PRP therapy can also be slightly painful, as the blood drawing process and needling process during PRP application can lead to mild discomfort. This is a minor drawback you should be aware of before trying the treatment out.
NuSkinnovation: The Home Of South African Laser Care
If performed by a professional, all of the above treatments can be enhanced when combined with laser treatment for face care. Additionally, these skincare procedures can also be highly beneficial by themselves. As long as you’re being treated by expert skin care specialists and have taken the necessary precautionary measures, you can boost your skin’s health with highly effective treatment combinations.
Here at NuSkinnovation, not only do we offer a wide range of laser treatment options, but we also provide chemical peels and microneedling services. If you are eager to learn more about any of our treatments, visit our website today to find out more and book your first consultation with one of our specialists.