The Different Types of Laser Therapy
How to know which one you need
The global laser therapy market is expected to reach over $2 million by the year 2023—so the odds are good you’ve heard of, or even considered, getting laser therapy.
Laser therapy is a revolutionary treatment that can treat so many different skin issues—from removing unwanted hair and spider veins to smoothing and evening out skin tone. But which treatment is best for your needs?
That depends on the goals you have. This article will explain the different types of laser treatments and what they are used for so you know which is right for you. Keep reading if you’ve ever been curious about one of these confidence-boosting treatments!
What Is Laser Therapy? What Is It Used For?
As mentioned, laser therapy is a way of treating a variety of cosmetic skin issues, from spider veins or rosacea to unwanted, persistent hair. It’s a method that can be executed in several different ways, depending on what you’re trying to accomplish.
Treatments are non-invasive and non-surgical. In fact, the word laser is an acronym standing for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.
Laser therapy is either ablative—targeting the skin on the surface—or non-ablative, which targets the deeper layers of skin without affecting the top layers. Lasers use selective photothermolysis to break down or destroy unwanted skin issues, like age spots.
The Different Types of Laser Therapy, Explained
As you can tell by now, there’s no one type of laser therapy—it encompasses many procedures that all serve a specific, unique purpose. Knowing about the different types of laser therapy that are offered can help you determine which is the best for you.
2D Skin Rejuvenation
This procedure has a two-pronged approach and combines two others—LimeLight IPL and Laser Genesis—into one.
2D Skin Rejuvenation targets both levels of the skin: the outer and deeper layers. LimeLight IPL gets absorbed on the skin’s surface and can address superficial imperfections, such as sun damage. Laser Genesis delivers heat to a deeper layer of skin—the papillary dermis—to induce collagen growth, which promotes healthier, more youthful-looking skin.
So, if you have skin issues you want to get rid of—wrinkles, redness, fine lines—and you want to refresh or renew your skin, you might be an ideal candidate for this approach.
LimeLight IPL
IPL stands for ‘intense pulse light‘ treatment. The procedure, often called photo-rejuvenation or photo facial, aims to improve damaged or ageing skin.
For this reason, IPL treatment stands to be incredibly common. It addresses all the common issues we experience as we get older—facial redness, acne scars, freckles, age spots, and so much more—in one easy, safe treatment.
By delivering intense pulses of light energy into the deepest layers of your skin, the collagen and blood vessels constrict, reducing anything from wrinkles to redness.
Laser Hair Removal
Another fantastic procedure is laser hair removal—the answer to all your anti-shaving prayers.
Using the Candela GentleMax Pro Hair Removal Machine, MC Laser Clinic can get rid of pesky, unwanted body hair in an easy but effective way. A laser beam targets the pigment in the hair follicle and destroys the cell’s lining, specifically around the follicle’s bulb, bulge, and vascular supply.
For most people, this method results in permanent hair reduction in the targeted areas. This type of laser therapy usually takes four to six treatments to work its best.
Laser Vein Removal
Spider veins are purple, blue, or even red vessels that are visible at the surface of the skin. They typically appear on the face or legs and can show up dark, causing the person with them to feel self-conscious.
Laser vein removal is a great solution as it’s non-invasive yet effective. Using concentrated light through an ND-YAG laser, the targeted veins will heat up and begin to shrink, while an Advanced Dynamic Cooling™ system keeps skin in the treated area safe.
Laser Genesis
Finally, Laser Genesis—a non-invasive treatment that can stimulate your skin’s natural renewal process.
This procedure is non-ablative (which targets the deeper levels of the skin), resulting in a more rejuvenated, youthful appearance. Enlarged pores, wrinkles, redness, and acne scars are no match for this renewal process, which naturally promotes healthier skin.
A Look at Prep and Aftercare
Prep and aftercare are expected to be different with each procedure. Before any treatment, you’ll have a consultation with your skin specialist, who can recommend the appropriate aftercare steps to take.
Depending on the type of laser treatment you received, that might look like avoiding hot tubs (laser hair removal on the legs), avoiding contact with the direct sun (IPL treatment), or avoiding blood-thinning medications (laser vein removal).
In general, it’s important to keep the treated area clear of elements like sun exposure, hot water, or even clothing that may rub against it. However, for some treatments—such as Laser Genesis—there is no downtime at As far as preparation goes, the same rule applies: ask your skin specialist what you need to do, and then follow up by doing so. That should be all the prep you need!
all, allowing you to return to work, school, and other daily activities right away.
Which Laser Treatment Is Best for Your Skin?
Laser therapy is a revolutionary treatment that addresses a wide variety of skin issues.
So, when deciding which treatment is best for you, consider your wants and needs. For example, if you’ve got stubborn facial hair, then laser hair removal is best for you. If you’re trying to reduce signs of hyperpigmentation or sun-damaged skin, you may want to consider IPL, and so on.
When in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to an industry expert!
At MC Laser Clinic & Hair Salon, we’re happy to answer any questions or guide you to the correct treatment for you.
Click here to book an appointment with us. We offer free laser consultations for anyone curious about the several innovative, confidence-boosting treatments we provide. We look forward to hearing from you!