Laser touch

How safe is laser beauty treatment? Read on n sharon fernandes

The latest buzz in the beauty industry is the L word. Laser skin peels and laser hair removal seem to be quick and effective solutions for beauty ailments. But how safe is the use of a laser in beauty treatments? 8220;Provided the dermatologist is well-trained and the laser is used in the right frequency, there is no harm in going in for a laser treatment.8221; But what are these laser treatments? 8220;Laser treatments include hair removal, rejuvenations, pigmentation removal, tattoo removal, skin tightening and reduction of blood vessels seen on the surface of the skin,8221; says Dr Nina Madnani, senior consulting dermatologist, P.D Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai.

The most common use of a laser is for hair removal. But this procedure also comes with a word of caution. Madnani says, 8220;The 8216;fluence8217; or power output of the laser has to be quite high, but in the right amount for the hair to disappear. But this high fluence can also cause scabs and pigmentation on the skin. It has to be done by a certified dermatologist.8221;

But it is all about getting your money8217;s worth, and this is what pushes a lot of people into getting a cheaper treatment done. 8220;It takes 8-12 sittings to get hair reduction done. And each sitting can be expensive. So people go to cheaper salon packages instead of going to a good dermatologist. This can be very risky,8221; says Madnani.

Anup Dhir, Senior consultant, Cosmetic surgery, Apollo Hospitals Delhi says, 8220;Laser peels are safe but have to be done carefully for Indian skin. For a peel, the top layer of the skin is removed by laser, it is a flash burn. There are chances of post inflammatory hyper pigmentation if not done carefully. The recovery time is high for Indian skin if a laser peel is done. We are a type 4 and type 5 skin, it takes much longer time for a patient with darker skin tone to recover. It has to be done judiciously.8221;

Madnani says, 8220;It is a strong weapon. It can help you get rid of stretch marks, tattoos, birth marks etc. It can also help rejuvenate the skin. But if not done by a qualified person and an unsterilised system, the patient may get secondary bacterial infections. Also, post a laser treatment, one has to use a mild cleanser and sunscreen, avoid using medicated soaps and creams and also keep off bleaching and facials for a long time.8221;

Dermatologists do deny the myths attached to laser procedures. There is no fear of penetration in body tissues or any connection with cancer as is the popular notion. The only word of caution when it comes to laser is the wisdom and skill of the person conducting the procedure on the patient. Madnani advises,8220;Laser treatments do not show any long-term side effects. However, you should thoroughly discuss with your dermatologist about the procedure, the results you desire and what you can expect before you go for any laser procedure.8221;