Laser Treatments For Wrinkle Removal 

Laser light is unique because the photons emitted by the machine are the same color, phase, and in a thin beam. Medical lasers use this by combining the exact wave length, the correct amount of laser energy, and directing that energy to the target.

Types Of Laser Treatments

There are many laser treatments used for wrinkle removal.

The CO2 laser goes through a scanning device to eliminate skin thickness for wrinkle removal. This is called the "surgical laser" and is the closest to real surgery. It was the first laser used by most doctors, and it's still the most used medical laser. It gives off continuous wave or pulsed far infrared light.

Nonablative laser resurfacing (or photorejuvenation) can help facial wrinkles. This technique uses light energy to stimulate collagen remodeling and eliminate irregular pigmentation or large blood vessels from the skin. The purpose is to produce a controlled injury to certain areas in the dermis, while leaving the epidermis undamaged. It does not harm the skin's outer layers, and there is no long recovery period. There is minimal or no risk of scarring.

Nlite laser is noninvasive and doesn't need anesthesia. It doesn't harm the skin's surface, so there is no need for follow-up care. It is set at a subpurpuric level to avoid bruising. It focuses on the deeper skin layers and activates new collagen growth. The new collagen growth fills in the wrinkle's depression and decreases the crease in the wrinkle surface.

A treatment session can last from 10 - 30 minutes based on the treatment. No pain is involved, but some may feel a little warming. Two treatments 2 weeks apart are advised.

It's most effective for fine wrinkles around the eyes and cheeks and has FDA approval. Severe wrinkles and sagging will have little improvement. For most people, there will be improvement in 6 weeks and more improvement in 6 months. The results range from good to dramatic. One in 10 people will experience hardly any improvement. The treatment is permanent, and the new collagen ages like the rest of the body.

The Er:YAG laser (or the erbium laser) gives off a mid-infrared beam. Its main use is to ablate tissue for laser resurfacing for wrinkles. The advantages are less redness, fewer side effects, and fast healing compared to the CO2 laser. The penetration is limited though, which leads to limited results.

The KTP laser (or a potassium-titanyl-phosphate crystal) gives off a green light. It can rejuvenate the skin and soften wrinkles.