Lasers used to be reserved for the worlds of science fiction and spy movies. Bond villains tying up the hero and bringing him close to a perilous demise. Alien lifeforms using condensed laser-light to level cities. The list goes on and on.
But today’s medical professionals have actually embraced laser technology for a wide variety of uses, especially when it comes to skin care. We’ve all heard of laser tattoo removal, but that’s only scratching the surface. There are a number of different dermatology procedures that utilize lasers to accomplish their goals, and most are available simply by consulting your physician or an certified cosmetic surgeon in your area. For example:
Facial Laser Resurfacing Treatments
What It Does: To fight the effects of aging or to help you simply recover from those awkward adolescent years, laser face resurfacing might be your winning ticket. Using a highly potent laser light made from either erbium or carbon dioxide, a surgeon will guide the beam across your face in an attempt to rid your face of wrinkles, acne scars and warts, enlarged oil glands and other facial irregularities.
What It Costs: The national average was about $2,300 in 2011, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. However, keep in mind that cost will vary depending on the patient, the doctor and the type of procedure being performed.
Laser Hair Removal
What It Does: Similar to facial laser resurfacing, laser hair removal seeks to remove excess and unsightly hairs from the body using a strong, concentrated beam of light to destroy the follicles. The process has been widely used in the United States since the 1990s and one of the biggest laser hair removal benefits is that it’s even been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for “permanent hair reduction.”
What It Costs: Expect to pay around $235 per treatment, according to numbers from the ASPS. Again, however, it’s all quite dependent on a number of factors. The best way to get a quote is to ask a doctor.
Laser Freckle Removal
What It Is: Freckles are actually small deposits of pigment that reside in the epidermis, or the upper layer of your skin. Using laser technology similar to the above two procedures, technicians can go in and break up the excess pigment using the extremely hot light of the laser usually after about four or five treatment sessions.
What It Costs: Because freckles can spot multiple portions of the body, prices will typically reflect where the procedure is going to be focused. Some facial freckle removal procedures can range up to $400.
Whether you’re opting into facial laser resurfacing or hair or freckle removal, understand that these technologies, though new, have still been tested repeatedly to ensure their safety levels. As always, though, it’s important to consult a physician or a surgeon before deciding on any one of them. Helpful links.