Lasers & Light Therapies in Skincare

Lasers and light therapies have become some of the most sought-after treatments in the world of skincare. Whether you’re tackling acne, sun damage, wrinkles, or pigmentation, these non-invasive treatments promise effective results with minimal downtime. But with so many different types of lasers and light therapies available, it can be challenging to know which one is right for your skin.

This guide will walk you through the most popular laser and light-based treatments in skincare, explaining how they work, what they treat, and what you can expect from each.

1. Fractional CO2 Laser

How It Works: It's one of the most powerful lasers used for skin resurfacing. It works by delivering targeted, controlled beams of light to the skin, creating tiny "micro-injuries" that stimulate the skin’s natural healing process. These micro-injuries trigger collagen production and help renew the skin’s surface.

What It Treats:

• Wrinkles and fine lines

• Acne scars

• Sun damage

• Hyperpigmentation

• Enlarged pores

• Skin texture and tone irregularities
  

What to Expect: Due to its intensity, this laser often requires some downtime. You may experience redness, swelling, and peeling for several days after the procedure. However, the results are typically long-lasting, with noticeable improvements in skin texture and tone over time.

2. Erbium YAG Laser

How It Works: It's a gentler alternative to the CO2 laser. It targets the skin’s outer layers with precision, removing damaged skin cells and promoting collagen production without causing as much heat damage to surrounding tissues.

What It Treats:

• Fine lines and wrinkles

• Mild to moderate sun damage

• Acne scars

• Skin resurfacing for smoother texture
  

What to Expect: Recovery time is generally shorter than with the CO2 laser. You may experience some redness and swelling for a few days, but the overall downtime is minimal. It’s often favored for patients looking for a less invasive option for resurfacing with quicker recovery.

3. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

How It Works: It's a broad-spectrum light therapy (not technically a laser) that uses multiple wavelengths of light to treat various skin concerns. IPL targets the deeper layers of the skin while leaving the surface undisturbed. It’s often used to treat pigmentation issues by selectively targeting melanin.

What It Treats:

• Sun damage and age spots

• Rosacea and redness

• Hyperpigmentation

• Acne

• Fine lines and wrinkles
  

What to Expect: Treatments are non-invasive with minimal discomfort. The treatment feels like a mild snap on the skin, and the recovery time is usually quick. You may experience slight redness or swelling immediately afterward, but this typically subsides within a few hours to a day. Results appear gradually with a series of treatments.

4. LED Light Therapy (Light Emitting Diode)

How It Works: It uses different wavelengths of light to treat specific skin concerns. The most common colors used in LED therapy are blue, red, and infrared, each targeting different skin layers and issues. Red light stimulates collagen production, while blue light is known for its ability to kill acne-causing bacteria.

What It Treats:

• Acne and blemishes (blue light)

• Fine lines and wrinkles (red light)

• Skin healing and rejuvenation (infrared light)

• Skin texture and tone
  

What to Expect: It's painless, non-invasive, and requires zero downtime. Treatments can be done in-office or with at-home devices. Multiple sessions are often needed to see results, and while there’s no discomfort, the effects are subtle, requiring consistency for best results.

5. Alexandrite Laser

How It Works: It uses a beam of light that is absorbed by melanin, making it an effective option for treating pigmentation issues. It has a shorter wavelength than many other lasers, which allows it to target the skin’s surface layer more effectively.

What It Treats:

• Pigmentation issues like age spots, freckles, and melasma

• Hair removal

• Tattoos

• Vascular lesions like spider veins
  

What to Expect: The treatment is quick and relatively painless, although you might experience mild discomfort during treatment. The procedure requires minimal downtime, and you may notice some redness or swelling in the treated area for a few hours after the treatment. Results typically improve over time with a series of sessions.

6. Nd:YAG Laser

How It Works: It uses a longer wavelength of light that penetrates deeper into the skin, making it an excellent option for treating both superficial and deeper skin issues. It’s particularly effective for targeting blood vessels and stimulating collagen production.

What It Treats:

• Vascular conditions (e.g., spider veins, rosacea)

• Pigmentation problems

• Acne scars

• Skin tightening

• Hair removal
  

What to Expect: Treatments are typically well-tolerated with little downtime. Mild redness or swelling may occur, but this usually fades within a few hours to a day. Results can be visible after a few sessions, with improvements in the skin's tone, texture, and tightness.

7. PicoSure Laser

How It Works: PicoSure is a picosecond laser, meaning it emits ultra-fast pulses of energy to break down pigment and stimulate collagen in the skin. It is much faster than traditional lasers, which allows it to target and treat areas more effectively without significant heat buildup or damage to the surrounding tissue.

What It Treats:

• Tattoo removal

• Pigmentation issues

• Acne scars

• Skin resurfacing

• Fine lines and wrinkles
  

What to Expect: It's known for having minimal downtime. The treatment itself is relatively quick and usually involves some mild discomfort, but the recovery time is brief. Redness or slight swelling may occur, but the skin heals quickly. Results often require a few treatments for optimal effects.

8. Carbon Laser

How It Works: The Carbon Laser Peel is a popular treatment that combines laser technology with a special carbon lotion. The lotion is applied to the skin and absorbed into the pores. The laser then targets the carbon particles, which helps to exfoliate dead skin cells, reduce pore size, and promote collagen production. This treatment is non-invasive and gentle, making it suitable for all skin types.

What It Treats:

• Enlarged pores

• Oily skin

• Dull complexion

• Acne and acne scars

• Skin texture and tone

• Sun damage and pigmentation
  

What to Expect: The treatment is quick and relatively painless, with some mild tingling or warmth during the procedure. There is minimal downtime, and patients typically see immediate results, including smoother skin and a radiant glow. For long-term improvements, multiple sessions may be recommended. It's an excellent option for a quick refresh before an event.

9. Fraxel Laser (Brand Name)

How It Works: Fraxel is a type of fractional laser that targets specific microscopic areas of the skin, stimulating collagen production and improving skin texture. It uses a technology that divides the laser beam into thousands of small beams, which treat only a fraction of the skin at a time, leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed. This promotes faster healing while still delivering effective results for skin resurfacing.

What It Treats:

• Fine lines and wrinkles

• Sun damage and age spots

• Acne scars

• Hyperpigmentation

• Skin texture and tone issues

• Stretch marks
  

What to Expect: Fraxel is known for its ability to target both superficial and deeper skin layers. The procedure involves some discomfort, but numbing creams are typically used to minimize pain. Post-treatment, you may experience redness, swelling, and peeling for a few days. Multiple sessions may be needed for optimal results, but improvements in skin texture and tone are noticeable after just one treatment.

10. Clear + Brilliant (Brand Name)

How It Works: It's a gentle fractional laser treatment designed to refresh and rejuvenate the skin. It uses a patented technology to create microscopic treatment zones in the skin, which helps to improve tone, texture, and overall skin appearance. The treatment stimulates collagen production and encourages the skin to regenerate by delivering light energy to the dermis, promoting a smoother and more youthful look.

What It Treats:

• Early signs of aging

• Fine lines and wrinkles

• Uneven skin tone

• Sun damage and pigmentation

• Dull, lackluster skin

• Pore size and texture
  

What to Expect: It's considered a less aggressive treatment, making it ideal for people looking for a mild refresh. The procedure is well-tolerated with minimal discomfort, often described as a light tingling sensation. There’s little to no downtime, though some redness and mild swelling may occur for a few hours post-treatment. Results improve gradually with a series of treatments and can leave the skin looking brighter, more even, and revitalized.