5 Laser Myths Debunked

Laser technology has improved leaps and bounds so that more conditions can be treated with visible results. Even the more recent Pico technology has progressed, with pico laser, achieving FDA clearance for tricky pigment conditions like melasma and Hori’s Nevus.

1. Lasers will thin my skin. – False.

Lasers stimulate the skin for collagen and elastin renewal. 

Clinical studies looking at laser-treated skin under the microscope demonstrate thicker and stronger skin. The key is to give the skin enough rest time (this can be from 1 to 4 months, depending on the type of laser) between treatments for new collagen to form and mature.

The pico laser  and Thulium 1927nm laser are good examples of lasers that rebuild skin to soften fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores and depressed acne scars.

2. Just one laser session is enough to clear all my skin woes. –False.

Laser treatments are not magic. There is no one laser that will solve all your skin woes in just one session and no one laser that will suit everyone. Expect skin improvements to be a gradual process, and a series of treatments to be required. Sometimes, it may take a combination of lasers, like in our Laser Circuit, to achieve good results. 

For lasers that have no or little downtime (such as pico laser or Laser Circuit), it may be 6 sessions, spaced 1 to 2 months apart. 

For high-energy lasers with more downtime (like Thulium 1927nm laser), it may be 3 sessions, spaced 3 to 4 months apart.

3. Stopping laser treatments will make my skin look worse than before. – False.

Laser treatments don’t make one a Cinderella. 

The improved skin doesn’t revert to the original or degrade to a poorer state the moment laser treatments are stopped. 

In fact, due to the collagen and elastin renewal, the skin ages naturally from a new and improved baseline.

Skin cleared of pigments should remain clear, unless the condition is hormonally-driven, like melasma or if there is inadequate sun care.

4. Lasers are all painful. – False.

Most lasers are comfortably tolerated on bare skin, with only a few that need topical anaesthesia.

The lasers within the Laser Circuit don’t require numbing cream, and may even remind one of a warm facial massage.  Laser Circuit is suitable to calm sensitive and red skin. 

The pico laser and Thulium 1927nm laser do need some preparation with numbing cream for a tolerable experience.

5. I need to stop all my outdoor activities after laser. 

It depends! On the type of laser, timing and kind of outdoor activity.

While we don’t encourage sunbathing at noon time after laser treatment (or at all), most patients do return to their outdoor lifestyle quite quickly.

Activities such as an early morning walk or late evening game of tennis can be safely resumed with a cap or hat and adequate SPF sunscreen.

For the Laser Circuit with no downtime, most outdoor activities can be resumed by the next day.

For pico laser and Thulium 1927nm laser that give a day or two of facial redness (and if pigments were extensively treated), then outdoor activities with heavy sun exposure should be deferred for about a week.