Your skin health has a powerful impact on your emotional and mental wellbeing. Poor skin tone, fine lines, unwanted hair and blemishes can drastically take a toll on your confidence levels. To deal with all these skin troubles, laser therapy is the best available option.

In this article, let’s learn from a Delhi-based dermatologist, Dr. Nivedita Dadu about the different types of lasers and which one is best for your skin problem.

What is Laser?

Laser is a single wavelength light which when falls on a target molecule gives the desired result. This target molecule can be your haemoglobin, water, or the pigment of the hair follicle. 

Types of Lasers

1. Q-Switched Lasers

These lasers are popular among dermatology clinics due to their property to target pigmentation. They reduce melanin by blasting the melanin pigment cells and impart rejuvenation, glow, and brightness to the skin. These lasers are used for a number of skin treatments. These include:

• Laser Toning - Q-Switched Lasers are popular for laser toning that is carried out on the face. In several clinics, serums are infused after laser toning for better results. These serums consist of skin boosters and brightening agents, which when infused into the skin, give you immediate results

• Tattoo Removal - These lasers are also used for tattoo removal wherein they target the pigment in the tattoo. It requires multiple sessions but slowly the tattoo fades. These sessions are done in a gap of 1-1.5 months

• Carbon Peel Treatment - It is usually done on oily skin and one with open pores. In this treatment, carbon paste is applied on your face, and then it is blasted with a Q-Switched laser. When this paste evaporates along with it the excess oil in the skin also gets removed

• Freckle Removal - Freckles areT small, harmless brown dots that appear on the skin, often in areas that get sun exposure. If someone’s skin is freckle prone, then even with less sun exposure, they may have freckles. When treated with Q-Switched lasers, first the brown crust forms on the skin, and then it gets swept off and you get your normal skin back

• Birthmark Removal - There are different types of pigmented birthmarks like Nevus of Ota that can be removed using these lasers

Also, if Q-Switched lasers are fractionated, they can be used for skin rejuvenation and anti-ageing treatment as well. 

2. Hair Removal Lasers

There are different types of hair removal lasers:

• Diode Lasers - These are used for removing hard and coarse hair 

• Alexandrite Lasers - These are used for removing fine and soft hair

These lasers target the pigment in the hair follicle. And as per Dr. Dadu, the more black and coarse the hair, the easier it is to get the result.

3. IPL Lasers

Also known as Intense Pulsed Light or Broadband Light is a corrective phototherapy treatment that targets visible and deeper dermal skin conditions. Slits are used in this type of laser to get different wavelengths which are used according to the patient’s skin problem. Uses of IPL lasers are:

• Photofacial - It is a popular treatment in dermatology clinics. In this, first, your face is slightly exfoliated and then a gel is applied to it and IPL shots are given. As per your skin concerns, wavelengths of 570 nm, 590 nm, and 480 nm are used to target your skin problems

• Post Acne Redness and Rosacea Treatment - In this treatment 480 nm wavelength is used to reduce redness be it post-acne redness or one caused due to Rosacea

• Pigment Reduction and Skin Rejuvenation - For this, wavelengths of 570 nm and 590 nm are used

IPL Lasers can also be used for hair removal with 640 nm wavelength but it is not the best laser for the purpose.

4. Fractional Lasers

These lasers also come in different types like Fractional CO2 and Fractional Erbium YAG. When the fractionated beams from these lasers enter your skin, it first injures your skin in multiple columns but when it heals collagen is produced. Due to this property, fractional lasers are used for treating acne scars, stretch marks and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. They are also used for skin rejuvenation and treating open pores.

So, now when you know which laser is best to treat your skin problem, here are a few tips that you must keep in mind, if you are planning to undergo a laser treatment:

1. Stop using exfoliating creams 3-4 days before the treatment

2. If you want to get any facial done at a parlour, do it a week before or after the treatment

3. Your skin shouldn’t be dry while getting a laser treatment so moisturise it well

4. Use 40+ or PA+++ sunscreen after the laser treatment

Disclaimer: The above content is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician or doctor. The Company does not vouch for or endorse any of the above content, and disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the same.