Is there downtime? There’s minimal downtime with this laser. You might experience minor swelling or redness that should subside within 24 hours. Treated pigmentation should darken and flake off within a week. This laser tightens pores so small breakouts are a potential side effect.
Erbium YAG
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What it is: This noninvasive fractional laser targets the outer layers of skin, evening out skin tone and smoothing fine lines. “The laser emits short pulses of energy that target water molecules in the skin, causing them to heat up and break down,” says Dorantes. “Think of it as a skin-refreshing treatment that reveals a smoother, brighter complexion.”
What it’s best for: Improving skin texture, reducing fine lines, treating sun damage, and evening out acne scars.
Average cost: $800 to $1,000 for a single full-face treatment
How many treatments you’ll need: Some clients see results with just one treatment, but Dorantes recommends three to four sessions, spaced a few weeks apart, for optimal long-lasting results.
What to expect during treatment: Dorantes applies a topical anesthetic for around 30 minutes, and the treatment itself takes 20 to 30 minutes. She describes the warm tingling feeling as “tiny little kisses from the sun.” It shouldn’t be painful after numbing.
Is there downtime? You’ll look sunburned for a few days, followed by minor peeling, so using sunscreen and staying out of the sun is especially important for the first couple of weeks after treatment, so as not to damage the fresh new skin.
Resurfacing lasers (Clear + Brilliant, Halo, Fraxel)
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What it is: “Resurfacing lasers target water in the skin to stimulate an overall skin cell renewal,” says Kiran Mian, DO, FAAD, medical and aesthetic dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology & Laser. “They emit channels of thermal energy, which stimulates our skin to create new collagen and elastin, smoothing out fine lines and tightening pores.”
What it’s best for: Dr. Mian recommends resurfacing lasers for those in their thirties and older who are looking for a collagen boost and to kickstart the cell renewal process, which slows down with age. These lasers are an all-purpose skin refresh, mitigating sun damage, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin laxity, tightening the appearance of pore size, and brightening the skin.
