Laser Pointed

Dermatology Specialists detail the variety of laser services they offer

There once was a time when using lasers in a medical setting seemed futuristic. While the technology is still considered cutting edge, it is much more common in dermatology offices. Lasers provide remarkable results for a variety of skin concerns.

Certified Physician Assistant Angela Danley at Dermatology Specialists of Florida, states that the most popular laser treatments include laser hair removal, tattoo removal, rosacea, warts and freckles.

In Florida, laser hair removal is common, with key areas being the upper lip, chin, underarms, bikini line and lower legs. For laser hair removal, patients are instructed to shave the designated area before treatment for best results. Lasers target the follicles below the surface using intense wavelengths of light to cauterize and damage the follicle, so it no longer produces hair.

Typically, patients will undergo 6 to 10 treatments because there can be hundreds of hair follicles in any given area, and each needs to be damaged to cease hair growth. Patients with more hair due to genetics may require more treatments.

Laser hair removal is highly effective on most people.  However, it is not typically recommended on those with gray or light blonde hair since the laser cannot detect light hair. Instead, electrolysis is often recommended for those individuals.

Laser tattoo removal, as with laser hair removal, can be performed on a broad range of skin types. We use a high-power laser with ultra-short pulses that shatters tattoo ink but leaves the outer layer of the skin intact. Once destroyed, the ink is naturally eliminated from the body. Over a series of brief treatments, most tattoos are eliminated. 

Tattoo removal typically takes 10 to 12 treatments, with the ink blurring and fading each time. Older ink reacts better to the process than new ink. While the skin will not be completely restored to the condition it was in before the tattoo, from an average distance the skin appears untouched.

Patients suffering with rosacea can often find benefit from laser treatments, which reduce redness in the affected area.

Our experts recommend avoiding over exposure to the sun and wearing SPF daily to help prevent freckles and dark spots. Since pigmentation can occur even while taking these precautions, there are laser treatments available that can safely destroy melanocytes (those melanin-producing cells), like age spots and freckles.

To ensure patients are a good candidate for laser treatment, a consultation is required prior to the procedure. Numbing is typically provided to make the process more comfortable. On average, the entire treatment can take up to an hour, depending on the size of the area being treated. Laser treatments are not performed on those who are pregnant or have a sunburn.

“Lasers are highly effective in treating numerous conditions, and we strive to make sure our patients get their desired results,”
Danley said.

DERMATOLOGY SPECIALISTS OF FLORIDA & AQUA MEDICAL SPA
(850) 233-DERM (3376)