Those planning on visiting a laser clinic might be worried about the potential side effects that come with receiving treatment. If you’re unsure about what to expect during your treatment, this article will help to put all of your fears to rest by empowering you with essential knowledge on everything to do with laser therapy.
From the function of laser therapy and its associated side effects to choosing the right laser clinic for ensuring a safe treatment, this quick read will outline everything you need to know so you can attend your laser therapy at your nearest NuSkinnovation branch totally stress-free.
Laser Clinic: How Do Aesthetic Lasers Work?
Although there are many different procedures that can be undertaken via laser therapy, most follow the same basic principle. A high-tech laser system concentrates light energy into highly precise beams, which are then used to target a specific area on the body or skin tissue. Across most treatments, these will most commonly be scar tissue, pigment cells, some kind of bacterial or fungal infection, blood vessels or weathered skin.
While there are times when the goal of treatment is to eradicate the target (such as with fungal treatments or hyperpigmentation), it is often the case that scarred or weathered tissue is selectively damaged for the purpose of triggering the body’s natural healing process. When the target area regenerates after being lasered, it produces more collagen, resulting in skin that looks more youthful and vibrant.
Depending on what kind of treatment is being performed and how deep the target area is within the skin, the exact kind of laser being used will vary. While there are a variety of lasers available to a laser system, the two most commonly used are Er:Yag and Nd:Yag lasers, or simply Er and Nd. An Er laser is best suited to work done on the top layer of the skin (known as ablative treatments), while the Nd laser excels in penetrating deep skin tissue (referred to as non-ablative treatments).
Some may be alarmed at the idea of a laser being used to selectively damage parts of their skin, and will justifiably worry about the potential damage caused by such a procedure. However, the truth is that lasers work incredibly precisely and are specifically designed to cause minimal damage to the surrounding tissue. Moreover, a skilled and responsible technician will know the limits of their client’s skin and never push a session to the point where the client is at serious risk.
Potential clients will also be happy to know that the process is minimally painful, with laser systems like NuSkinnovation’s being equipped with the latest cooling comfort technology. However, should you request it, our technicians will happily apply extra numbing gel to the target area before treatment.
Laser Clinic: What Are The Potential Side Effects?
Like virtually all effective forms of treatment, laser therapy is not without its side effects. The good news is that these are largely minor and fast to fade. Immediately after laser treatment, patients are likely to experience mild symptoms such as redness, swelling, itching and sensitivity. In short, these all sum up to be similar to a minor sunburn. Patients should not be alarmed if these occur, and should know that they are likely to fade within the next few hours to days. Staying hydrated, applying cold compresses and using a gentle moisturiser such as aloe vera should help both ease the discomfort of these symptoms and speed up the overall healing process.
More rare side effects include symptoms such as scarring, blistering and pigmentation changes, both a darkening or lightening of the skin. None of these side effects are normal and almost always represent some error on the part of the technician or interference from a cosmetic product or medication.
It is important to note that different types of laser treatments will each have different side effects and risks, even if they vary slightly from one another. Whether it be a hair removal session, acne treatment or fine line reduction, be sure to first consult with your clinic about what kind of side effects can expect and when to seek medical help. It should also be noted that ablative treatments are more likely to have numerous and more severe side effects than non-ablative treatments, making the latter preferable for those with sensitive skin.
Laser Clinic: How Likely Am I To Experience Side Effects?
While several minor side effects, namely redness, irritation and swelling, are highly likely to occur, these side effects are very mild, may not all occur and are fast to fade. The reaction to laser treatment will vary from person to person, with the likelihood of side effects and the severity thereof depending on factors such as skin type and tone, the kind of laser being used and the experience of the technician. At any NuSkinnovations laser clinic, we employ only the most expertly trained and experienced technicians, which mitigates the chance and potency of the side effects for our clients.
For rarer side effects, such as scarring, blistering hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, the likelihood will also depend on all the same prior factors, but if the proper preparations have been undertaken, the technician is skilled and the patient performs adequate aftercare, the chances are truly minimal.
Laser Clinic: When To Contact A Laser Clinic Healthcare Professional
Patients should contact a healthcare professional immediately if they suspect side effects are more severe than expected. If the mid sunburn-like side effects are not healing or are getting worse with time, this warrants cause for concern and an immediate trip to the doctor.
Similarly, any signs of unusual side effects like scarring or blistering should not be taken lightly and should be addressed as medical concerns. If you’re not entirely sure about the severity of your side effects, feel free to call the laser clinic where you underwent your treatment and ask for their professional advice. Remember that some side effects, such as itching, may arrive later and intensify as it is a part of the body’s natural healing process. However, you should always play it safe when it comes to your health and not delay if a real medical issue is suspected.
Laser Clinic Side Effects: Avoiding Exposure To Sun
When it comes to avoiding side effects, there is nothing more crucial than avoiding overexposure to the sun. Exposure to the sun stimulates your skin to produce more pigment cells called melanin, which we often refer to as ‘tanning’. While tanning has become a popular cosmetic procedure for the summer, it should never be used in tandem with laser treatments as those abundant pigment cells are likely to interact with the laser energy and cause side effects such as burning or blistering.
This is true for post-treatment as well, as the sun should be well avoided to speed up recovery and prevent the worsening of side effects. Feel free to liberally apply a SPF 30+ sunscreen if you have to go outside during your recovery.
Laser Clinic Side Effects: Avoiding Cosmetics and Skincare Products
Another good way to mitigate the side effects of laser treatment is to avoid the use of harsh skincare products both before and after treatment. When you begin treatment, the target area should be totally free of any creams, oils, deodorants or cosmetics, as these will interfere with the laser and potentially cause additional discomfort or pain. Furthermore, the skin will be sensitive after treatment and may react badly to any exfoliants, retinols or acids. Be sure to skip these products for at least a week or two until the skin is totally healed and stick to fragrance-free moisturisers or natural products such as aloe vera.
Laser Clinic Side Effects: Interactions With Medication
All potential clients should note that certain medications can cause the body to react adversely to laser therapy. Before visiting a laser clinic for treatment, you should always book a consultation first and fully disclose any drug you are currently taking or have recently taken. A professional technician will have the experience and knowledge needed to flag any potential medications known to react badly to laser treatment and will alert you in due time. In these instances, the laser clinic will likely suggest a workaround or alternative that fulfills your needs without endangering your health.
Although not nearly a comprehensive or detailed list, a number of medications known to interact with laser treatment include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, blood pressure medication, antidepressants and diuretics.
Laser Clinic Side Effects: Choosing The Right Laser Clinic
The final best way to reduce the severity of any side effects is to visit a reputable laser clinic like NuSkinnovation. While cheap laser clinics might offer enticing prices, the increased risk of an ineffective laser treatment or severe side effects makes this a poor trade off. On the other hand, a well-established brand like NuSkinnovation offers pristine facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology and expert technicians, both helping make your treatment as safe and effective as possible. Don’t just take that on our word, a quick online search will show us to be certified and well-decorated with tons of glowing reviews from satisfied customers.
Laser Clinic Side Effects: Final Thoughts
In conclusion, laser therapy has, like most effective treatments, a number of side effects associated with the procedure. However, these side effects are mild and quick to fade, and should cause patients little pain or concern. More severe side effects like scarring or blistering are exceedingly rare when the treatment is performed professionally at a trusted laser clinic and without interference.
Thankfully, clients can always speak to a professional laser clinic about side effects both before and after treatment, to receive a plan to mitigate side effects, plot out an effective aftercare routine and discuss any concerning interactions with certain medications. Never hesitate to resort to medical attention if you’re worried about any side effects caused by laser therapy. There are a number of key strategies to avoid side effects that can take place both before and after treatment, including staying out of the sun, avoiding harsh skincare products and cosmetics and always working with a trusted laser clinic such as NuSkinnovation.
For a safe, effective and reliable laser treatment experience, look no further than a NuSkinnovation laser clinic. Our laser technicians go above and beyond to ensure our clients receive comfortable treatments within our laser clinic facilities that align with their skincare needs. Book with one of our specialists today or visit our laser clinic to get one step closer to achieving your dream skin!