The Latest Developments in Laser Treatment According to Dr. Omar Ibrahimi

Different types of laser treatments allow dermatologists to treat everything from brown spots, rosacea, burn and acne scars, to various types of wrinkles. The concept of laser treatments is to create a controlled and selective injury to the skin by using different laser wavelengths that are absorbed by pigment, blood or water in the skin.

This oftentimes also encourages skin rejuvenation by stimulating the formation of collagen, improving texture and tone.

One of the most important but under-recognized factors of laser treatments is their emotional benefit, something shown in a recent study. As a matter of fact, dermatological conditions, particularly those on the face, increase the likelihood of anxiety and depression, often leading to decreased self-esteem.

There are several types of laser used to treat skin issues, depending on the concerns of the patient. Different targets in the skin absorb the different light wavelengths, meaning that they heal different conditions.  This is an exciting field for dermatologists because of constant developments in the field of lasers and the treatments they can offer.

Dr. Omar Ibrahimi, the well-known dermatologist and Medical Director of the Connecticut Skin Institute who closely watches developments in dermatology to ensure the best patient care, whether it is for skin cancer or a cosmetic concern. He stresses the fact that the latest developments in laser treatments have the potential to improve a whole series of issues of the epidermis and dermis. He is well known in the field of laser dermatology and is involved with the introduction of several new types of laser technologies.

He adds: “Patients must make sure they are only treated by professionals like dermatologists. These are powerful instruments and treatments need special monitoring, depending on the condition of the skin and the patient’s skin type.”

Latest Developments in Different Laser Types

Lasers are getting more sophisticated and present more treatment possibilities than ever before. 

Treating Redness

Rosacea, spider veins, sun damage, fresh stretch marks, certain scars, and port wine stains are some of the skin imperfections that anti-redness lasers, or vascular lasers, are capable of erasing. These lasers work by aiming at the protein in red blood cells known as hemoglobin. Even though treatments with vascular lasers don’t hurt, they may feel like a quick pinch or cool on the skin. Expect pink, blotchy, or puffy skin for a few hours.

Treating Brown Spots

Brown spots and tattoo ink require treatment with pigment-seeking picosecond and nanosecond lasers. These aim their energy at pigment clusters, Developments in this area are that the different lasers are both extremely fast, shattering the pigment cells with a strong acoustic wave. This ensures effective removal. Different wavelengths and different models allow for the safe removal of pigmentation and tattoos on all complexions, even more, heat-sensitive darker complexions.

Treating Deep Wrinkles and Scars

Ablative lasers create the basis for treatments that require the skin to be “wounded.” As they are passed over the treatment area, they remove the epidermis, the thin outer layer of skin, and heat the dermis, the underlying skin. This stimulates the skin to produce more collagen, creating the characteristic smoothness and tightness of the treatment.

These ablative laser treatments are fierce and heavy on the downtime of about a week. However, the latest generation of fractional ablative lasers is far safer than ever before, carrying minimal risk of depigmentation, scarring, and a shiny white appearance.

Treating Minor Scars, Fine Lines, and Moderate Sun Damage        

Non-ablative resurfacing lasers are those that bypass the epidermis and work directly internally on the dermis by depositing pockets of heat. They also cause a controlled wound, but without destroying the outer layer of the skin.

These surface-sparing fractional lasers and picosecond lasers have a diffractive lens to fractionate the laser beam. This allows them to cover wider areas, and are suitable for most skin types.

They refresh and rejuvenate the skin by encouraging it to build new collagen. The skin looks smoother and pigmentation caused by the sun is eliminated.

Dermatologists, like those at the Connecticut Skin Institute, have several types of non-ablative lasers at their disposal for different issues, all are engineered to limit downtime of flushing and sandpapery skin. Depending on the treatment, this can be anything from one day to a week. The Connecticut Skin Institute has over 40 laser and energy based devices in its offices making it one of the world’s most comprehensive laser centers.

Conclusion

Dermatologists are specially trained in the various lasers since they don’t all work on the same issues or layers of the skin.

Ablative and non-ablative are the two main types of fractionated lasers most used, according to Dr. Ibrahimi, but there are also several others and constant developments in the field. Depending on the skin issues at hand, each laser type can treat different skin issues more effectively than ever before.

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