It sets the speed limit of the universe, guides us out of the dark, and can even rejuvenate the skin: light is a beautiful and mysterious thing. While we have much more to learn about this primal force, when properly harnessed, it has proven itself invaluable as a means for gently rejuvenating the skin.
At Zormeier Cosmetic Surgery and longevity center, we deliver cutting-edge IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), Laser Genesis, and LaseMD treatments to deliver stunning and natural-looking solutions to a wide variety of common skin concerns. Not sure which of these is best for you, or where to even begin? Read on to learn more about how these treatments work, who they are for, and why so many have turned to them to achieve game-changing results.
Introducing IPL Photofacial
Like most laser treatments, IPL photofacials use concentrated light energy to stimulate healing processes in the skin. Unlike most laser treatments, IPL uses extremely short and powerful bursts of light (hence the name Intense Pulsed Light) to accomplish this.
How does IPL Photofacial Treatment Actually Work?
During this skin rejuvenation treatment, the provider applies the handpiece over the intended treatment area, where it emits multiple wavelengths of light in rapid pulses. The light energy is then absorbed by the melanin in the skin, destroying damaged cells and triggering key healing processes like collagen and elastin production. Collagen and elastin enhance both the skin’s structure and elasticity, giving it that plump and youthful appearance. This allows IPL Photofacial to treat a wide range of common skin issues, including the following:
- Oversized pores
- Acne spots
- Sun damage
- Uneven skin tone and/or redness
- Fine lines
The IPL Treatment Process
Before the treatment session itself, the first step is to determine that you are an appropriate fit for IPL Photofacial in an initial consultation. Once you’ve been approved for treatment, we will begin by first ensuring you are comfortably positioned, and then we will prep the treatment area. We will also provide you with protective glasses. After the skin has been cleansed (including removing any makeup) and a cooling gel has been applied, you’re ready for treatment. While IPL Photofacial is most commonly used on the face, it can also be applied to the neck, chest, back, hands, arms, and legs.
Treatment usually takes between 10 to 30 minutes, during which most patients report a tingling or pinching sensation. After the session has concluded, there is no major downtime. You are free to go about your normal activities, including driving yourself home and resuming your routine. That said, we will provide some post-treatment guidelines to manage any mild symptoms you may have.
Laser Genesis: Benefits, Follow-Up Guidance and More
Targeting many of the same issues as Intense Pulsed Light treatment, but with the potential to access deeper layers of skin, Laser Genesis is preferred by a wide variety of patients looking for a comprehensively rejuvenating treatment. While both IPL and Laser Genesis are non-invasive, Laser Genesis typically comes with an even shorter recovery period than IPL. It is also more suitable for those with darker skin tones.
Treatment Benefits
Laser Genesis is the preferred option by patients looking to resolve a number of skin issues affecting both the superficial and deeper layers. These concerns include, but are not limited to the following:
- Hyperpigmentation
- Uneven skin tone
- Uneven skin texture
- Oversized pores
- Acne scars
- Oily skin
- Slightly sagging skin
Thanks to its ability to reach deeper layers of the skin, Laser Genesis is not only able to treat the more superficial manifestations of oily skin (i.e., acne), but can actually address oil production itself. In addition, Laser Genesis can treat atrophic scars and hyperpigmentation with transformative results.
Main Mechanisms and Treatment Process
Laser Genesis is a non-ablative treatment, meaning it heats and stimulates lower layers of skin without damaging the superficial layer (epidermis). During your treatment session, the laser will give off short pulses of energy to heat the dermis. The dermis then responds to this controlled injury by signaling for collagen production and maturation. The collagen works to support the skin’s structure and elasticity, giving it that smooth, plump, and youthful look. Heat produced by the treatment also has a direct effect on skin discoloration, as it can mitigate the appearance of redness caused by blood vessels close to the surface.
We will give you protective eyewear for the treatment, throughout which you may feel a gentle warming sensation. There is virtually no downtime following the procedure, and the majority of patients report no side effects beyond some mild redness that resolves on its own soon after treatment.
LaseMD
A particularly effective platform when it comes to combating signs of aging in the skin, LaseMD jumpstarts the skin’s healing processes to yield powerful, yet effortlessly natural-looking results. This treatment has demonstrated a high level of efficacy in reducing the appearance of fine lines, hyperpigmentation, sun spots, age spots, uneven skin tone and texture, and other signs of aging.
How LaseMD Works
Powered by a thulium crystal laser, which allows for LaseMD to be used on a wider range of skin tones and types than most CO2 lasers, this innovative treatment platform revitalizes the skin by creating a series of tiny micro-channels. LaseMD is non-ablative, allowing for a more comfortable treatment with less potential for side effects.
As the laser energy gently heats up the skin to prompt collagen and elastin production and activity, it resolves hyperpigmentation and other superficial blemishes directly.
Serums Set LaseMD Apart
Allowing for enhanced results and customizability, LaseMD serums take advantage of the micro-channels created by this treatment to balance your complexion, nourish the skin, and impart many other key benefits. Serums are infused into the micro-channels, ensuring effective absorption by the skin.
The Clarify feature, for example, allows LaseMD to more effectively target dark spots on the skin caused by excessive pigmentation. This feature can also treat fine lines and wrinkles. Alternatively, the Renew feature empowers us to treat sagging skin, wrinkles, and other more aesthetically obvious signs of the aging process.
The LaseMD Treatment Process
Step one, as always, is to consult with our team at Zormeier Cosmetic Surgery and Longevity to ensure that you are an appropriate fit for this treatment. In a consultation, we will assess your skin quality and interview you about your concerns, goals, and expectations to ensure that you are matched with the most effective option for your situation.
When it’s time to undergo the treatment, we will first apply a topical numbing agent to the treatment area if needed. Treatment time typically varies between just a few to 20 minutes. During the treatment, the laser will be applied over the treatment area, where it will use concentrated light energy to heat the underlying tissues. You will feel a warming and/or tingling sensation.
Finally, we will administer one of the above serums to the treatment area, as well as two sheet masks. Our team will issue a set of post-treatment instructions, including tips on protecting your skin from the sun and more, before you are clear to go about your daily routine. As with the other treatments, there is no downtime and no major restrictions following LaseMD treatment.
How to Know Which Treatment Is Best for You
The short answer is this: Our team at Zormeier Cosmetic Surgery and Longevity Center will collaborate with you over an initial consultation appointment to determine which treatment(s) may be most effective and/or desirable for your situation.
As you can see above, there is considerable overlap across all three of these treatments in terms of the issues they treat, the patient demographics they serve, and the post-treatment care scenarios, among other commonalities. Understanding the differences and similarities in benefits and applications of these treatments can help you make your decision confidently.
Evaluate Your Needs
Are your skin concerns mostly confined to the superficial skin layer, or are they rooted in deeper layers? This is a key determining factor when deciding on a treatment type, as different wavelengths (among other parameters) allow each treatment to target different depths. For example, LaseMD is generally more appropriate for superficial skin concerns than Laser Genesis.
It’s also important to garner a sense of which treatments are most effective for various aesthetic goals, including evening out your skin’s texture over a larger area (Laser Genesis), correcting pigmentation and redness (IPL), and treating a variety of superficial issues with a customizable option (LaseMD).
Consider The Post-Treatment Scenario
As mentioned, all three of these laser skin rejuvenation treatments are non-surgical, and patients are able to return to their normal routines with simple post-treatment guidelines and mild side effects (like redness, mild swelling, and some tenderness at the treatment site). However, this doesn’t mean that the post-treatment scenario is the same.
For example, each of these skin laser therapy platforms is different in the number of sessions required to achieve optimal results. As this number also depends on the patient’s initial concerns, goals, and response to treatment, it’s easier to provide approximate ranges than exact figures.
- IPL: Most people will receive the greatest benefit from three to six IPL photofacial treatments, typically spaced at least four weeks apart.
- Laser Genesis: Keeping the same spacing, most people will benefit the most from six to nine sessions of Laser Genesis.
- LaseMD: Fewer sessions and shorter spacing are required for LaseMD to deliver maximum results, which it accomplishes over three to five treatments spaced two weeks apart.
As always, our team at Zormeier Cosmetic Surgery and Longevity Center collaborates with each patient to make the treatment process flexible and responsive. We value your input, including how you envision the initial treatment session and follow-up treatments, and will advise accordingly.
Laser Treatment FAQ
What does “ablation” mean in the context of skin laser therapy treatments?
Ablation refers to the removal of unwanted tissue, which is performed in various ways throughout cosmetic and medical fields (microwave ablation, radiofrequency ablation, etc.). If a laser treatment is said to be “ablative,” this means that it uses a wavelength of light intense enough to actually destroy the most superficial layer of skin, revealing smoother and tighter skin underneath.
What disqualifies someone from receiving laser skin rejuvenation treatments?
While this is best discussed in a one-on-one consultation with a qualified provider, certain medical conditions (immune system conditions, severe cardiac disorders, etc.), medications, skin types, and other circumstances may impact your ability to receive laser skin treatment.
Can laser treatments be combined with other cosmetic treatments?
Laser treatments are commonly paired with chemical peels, microneedling, and injectables. If you’re considering a combined treatment approach, our team is happy to help you.
Rejuvenate Your Skin Effortlessly With Laser Treatments by Zormeier Cosmetic Surgery and Longevity Center
Driven by a passion to enhance each patient’s unique beauty with a comprehensive and personalized approach, Zormeier Cosmetic Surgery and Longevity Center is here to make your laser treatment experience both meaningful and enjoyable.
Ready to achieve transformative results without the hassle? Contact our team today for a consultation, and we’ll get you started on a fully customized laser treatment plan.
