Autumn: the best time to laser!

 

After the sunny days of summer laser treatments are enjoying a real boom. What are their benefits? An overview.

Lasers have become an indispensable element of modern medical practice. Be it skin alterations caused by medical reasons or aesthetic indications – the range of different applications could not be more diverse.

The following applies to all laser treatments: only optimal education and substantial experience guarantee satisfied patients.

The more precisely a device is tailored to a problem, the better the results. The art lies in choosing the right laser beam because it should achieve maximum results with the least possible collateral damage. It therefore goes without saying that this is a case for true professionals.

How many treatments are needed for an optimal result?

This depends, among other things, on the indication (the area of application).

What result can be achieved?

With tattoo removal it is usually impossible to achieve results that are 100% – i.e. making the tattoo “invisible”, but with age warts or pigment spots it is. Tightening lasers for skin rejuvenation always are effective, but often achieving the desired result takes several treatments.

Sometimes you need to combine different lasers for a beautiful result. Or a combination of laser therapy with complementary treatments – e.g. with peelings for acne scars – or special care products for achieving the desired improvement.

 

Therefore:

The more experienced the doctor and the better informed the patient, the better and less risky the treatment and thus the result and patient satisfaction!

 

Laser treatment procedure

Depending on where the laser is applied, a pain-reducing cream can be used.  Average treatment time is 10 to 20 minutes. To protect the eyes, the doctor and patient wear laser safety goggles. After the treatment we will inform you in detail about the rules of conduct to be observed following the treatment (e.g. sun protection) as well as about necessary after-treatments such as special care products.

Benefits, side effects and costs

When used professionally, lasers produce pinpoint results without damaging the surrounding area. Lasers have also replaced the days when only cosmetic treatments or peelings were available, especially in aesthetics. In particular, state-of-the-art fractional lasers allow for gentle rejuvenation and removal of minor skin wrinkles – without any downtime. Nevertheless, it is important to also inform patients in detail about possible side effects. Depending on the type of the laser application, these can include mild to severe redness, scaling, or crusting. Other possible side-effects to consider include social downtimes of up to a week, e.g. with lasers for acne scars.

The costs and the most reasonable number of treatments always depend on the indication. On our website we have tried to be as transparent as possible and have indicated costs and treatment intervals. In a personal consultation we decide on your specific treatment plan and costs together with you.

Before – after photos of the most common laser treatments:

Warts, age warts, benign moles, fibromas, ocular exanthelasma

The advantage of ablative lasers, which virtually vaporize the disturbing benign skin changes, over the scalpel is that they leave no scars – visually a perfect result – without any downtime. In most cases, only one treatment is required.

Costs: from €150 (depending on size, region, and number)

 

Wrinkles, skin refreshment:

Deep laser peels erase wrinkles through the subsequent wound healing process, but are very painful and take about one month to heal. “Fraxel” lasers are state-of-the-art  placing many mini dots, as well as laser-like devices with ultra-high and radio frequency that do not injure the skin. Usually 1 to 3 treatments are needed followed by an annual refresher.

Costs: partial facial region € 250 or whole face € 450

 

Large skin pores, acne scars, scars, stretch marks:

Ablative lasers and “Fraxel” lasers can also improve raised scars or acne scars. However, they rarely become completely invisible.  Usually 2 to 4 treatments are required.

Costs: € 250 to € 450 per treatment

 

Depilation:

With light skin and dark hair, the melanin in the hair root can be destroyed with the right wavelength in such a targeted way that unwanted hair growth is dormant for years. Our hair laser is so safe that it is allowed to laser even in summer.  On average, 5 to 7 treatments are required.

Costs:

Depending on the treated area from € 75 (upper lip) to € 780 (full body depilation)

 

Varicose veins, spider veins, hemangiomas:

Depending on the size and colour of the spider veins, two different lasers are used. Sometimes the disturbing vessels on the legs are also ablated using foam sclerotherapy on its own or in addition to the laser. With 1 to 3 treatments, a satisfactory result is achieved in the vast majority of cases. Pre- and post-treatment with our Leg Active Gel and light support stockings.

Costs: € 150 to € 250 per treatment

 

Couperose and rosacea:

Chronic inflammatory formations and widening of the smallest skin vessels, especially in the area of the face, are caused by a genetic predisposition. A vascular laser is used to achieve long-term improvement,. The laser light “ablates” the dilated vessels and calms the inflammatory changes. Depending on the severity of the couperosis/rosacea, 1 to 3 laser treatments are required.

Costs: € 150 to € 250 per treatment

 

Tattoos/permanent makeup:

Laser treatment is an alternative for the removal of such old pigments – but it is not problem-free. Colour pigments such as red are hard to catch, and they can also change their colour when treated with lasers. Lasers are effective with black and grey. Several treatments are needed before the unwanted tattoo will be almost completely gone. Often pigment shifts (light or dark “shadows”) remain where the  tattoo used to be.

Costs: from € 100 per treatment (depending on the size and type of the tattoo)

 

Body contouring:

Radio frequency lasers are used next to sutures, injections with hyaluronic acid and lipo-dissolving injections a well as cellulite injections. This treatment reduces fat cells and visibly tightens the deep connective tissue.

Costs: lipo- dissolving injections € 250 per treatment, radiofrequency € 80 per treatment

 

Pigment spots:

The laser energy is absorbed by the pigment, it decomposes and is eliminated by the lymphatic system. One or possibly several treatments are required. We always combine laser removal of pigments with our Whitening Care Cream for pre- and post-treatment.

Costs: depending on the size of the area to be treated,

eg hands or cheeks € 250 per treatment

 

Dear skin friends and prospects,

I hope to have provided you with a little more clarity on lasers and laser treatments with this article. I have tried to put together a transparent overview for you in just a few words and hope that the photo illustrations in particular give you a clear idea of the great possibilities and results of laser treatments.

 

Dr. Sabine Schwarz