Myths and Facts About Laser Treatments

A person getting laser treatment on her face.

Myths and Facts About Laser Treatments-Salt Lake City, Utah

Lasers can treat several types of dermatological issues. However, some individuals may have inaccurate ideas and misunderstandings about laser treatment. Swinyer Woseth Dermatology wants to address these misconceptions and clarify what is fact and what is fiction.

Lasers are Used to Address Many Different Skincare Concerns

What types of skin issues do we treat with laser therapy? Some issues that can be treated with lasers include:

Acne
Hyperpigmentation
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Rosacea
Scarring
Tattoo Removal

How Do Lasers Work?
Lasers use light directed into a concentrated beam to correct skin imperfections. Different lasers treat the skin at different wavelengths depending on the condition they are treating. Lasers can be focused on a tiny region of the skin, which means they can treat a very specific area without damaging surrounding tissue. Lasers heat the affected area and stimulate the body’s natural healing process, thereby correcting the targeted issue.

There are Some Persistent Myths about Laser Treatments

What types of myths persist about laser treatments? Here are a few.

Lasers are Harmful to your Health
Lasers penetrate the skin at a very shallow depth. Between 1 and 4 mm of skin is touched by the laser, meaning it will not affect the rest of the body.
Lasers Can Burn Patients
Selective photo-hemolysis is the technique used in laser therapy. The word selective means that the laser treats only the selected portion of the skin. The section of skin is damaged so that it will be treated, and the laser shouldn’t have any effects on healthy skin or tissue.
Lasers Hurt
The only sensation that will be apparent with the use of a laser will be a pinprick sensation or a bit of heat. If a patient suffers from more pain than these feelings, a bit of anesthetic cream may be applied to the skin before treatment.
Lasers Cause Radiation Exposure
It is likely that individuals receive more radiation from the sun than from medical laser treatment. Laser treatment simply uses focused light to treat the skin.
Lasers Cause Cancer
Lasers can be used to remove cancers. Lasers do not contain any properties that cause cancer.
Lasers Can Thin the Skin
The skin can actually thicken after laser treatment. When lasers are used, collagen and elastin production increases, replacing damaged skin with rejuvenated skin, causing more of a thickening than a thinning of the skin.
Laser Therapy is Too Expensive
Laser therapies can be affordable. For example, laser hair removal is much less costly than a lifetime of shaving, waxing, and other hair removal treatments. It only takes a few laser hair removal sessions to remove unwanted hair for life altogether.
Skin Deteriorates after Stopping Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is good for the skin, causing the tissue to renew itself. However, long-term maintenance therapy is advised to continue the positive effects of laser therapy.

Visit Us for Laser Treatments for a Variety of Concerns

Laser therapy can treat so many skin issues and concerns it may be time for you to consider talking to a dermatologist. When that time comes, reach out to Swinyer Woseth Dermatology to get conclusive options for your needs. From facials to microneedling, we offer the ultimate care for all skin conditions. Serving Salt Lake City, Wasatch Front, and the surrounding areas, our medical team has more than 30 years of experience treating the largest organ of the body, the skin. Our goal is to keep our patients happy and healthy. Whether you seek skin care services, cosmetic services, or surgical care, we want to help you with a quick recovery and a happy healing process. Please visit our website to view a menu of our services.