Results, costs, downtimes: A dermatologist honestly explains what lasers can do today and what you have to consider

Winter is ideal time for laser treatments. Because our skin is now not preliminary and much less exposed to the sun. The risk of pigment shifts is minimized and nothing stands in the way of complications without complications. A dermatologist explained why the laser is the favorite tool of dermatologists, what you can achieve today and what needs to be considered.

The specialist for laser treatments: dermatologist Priv.-Doz. Dr. Anne Gürtler

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Dr. Anne Gürtler from the Munich dermatologist practice Lvate wants to take the fear of laser treatment. Because many are afraid. And horror stories are circulating. Most of the worries are completely unfounded today. Because if they are carried out by experienced practitioners with strict compliance with laser protection, laser treatments are among the safest dermatological treatments that exist. Each laser only recognizes its destination in the skin, with protecting the surrounding structures. The potential of the "Energy Based Devices" is enormous and for almost every problem there is the right laser. We have with Dr. Anne Gürtler took a close look at the five most important treatments.

The 5 most important laser treatments at an overview

1. Breaked veins, facial reductions (pink), fire patterns, blood sponges

Special preparation:
No. A narcotic cream is applied for large -scale fire paintings.

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What does the laser recognize in the tissue?
The red blood pigment in the vessels (hemoglobin).

How many applications and duration:
A sessions for bursting veins and blood sponges takes a few minutes; Two to three sessions on facial reductions of a pink, ten to 20 minutes; More than five sessions for fire paintings, ten to 20 minutes.
Important: The denser, larger and deeper (= more bluish) the blood vessels are in the tissue, the more treatments are required.

Schedule:
(If necessary) Several treatments at a distance of six to eight weeks.

How long do I fall out on treatments on my face?
Depending on the laser used. We only see a real downtime after the treatment of a fire. This shows a blue-livened color envelope for one to two weeks. In all other treatments, more redness and swelling can be shown immediately after treatment, but you are still socially acceptable.

Good to know:
Not all vascular lesions are suitable for laser treatment. For example, spider veins are difficult to treat with a laser, which is why I advise other treatment options (e.g. sclerosing).

After treatment:
Cooling immediately after treatment helps to swell. The surface of the skin remains intact.

Cost:
Depending on the treatment size and laser used, from 300 euros.

2. Unloved tattoos

Special preparation:
No. In the case of large -scale tattoos, an anesthetic cream is applied.

What does the laser recognize in the tissue?
The color pigment of the tattoo.

How many applications and duration:
Depending on the skin type, location of the tattoo on the body, quantity, layers and shade of the tattoo color and, whether the tissue is scarred, there are different sessions. At least five to ten sessions; Five to 30 minutes per treatment.

Schedule:
Treatments at intervals of eight to twelve weeks. The treatment area must have healed completely before the next session. In addition, the body takes time to remove the treated pigment via the lymphs.

Good to know:
Dark colors are best to be removed, blue/green are difficult and yellow/white to remove very problematic or not at all, as they absorb little light and therefore can hardly be recorded by the laser. A few days after the treatment, the pigment can initially appear darker.

After treatment:
Cooling and special creams with antiseptic additives can be applied for protection after treatment.

Cost:
Depending on the treatment size and laser used, from 300 euros.

3. Wrinkle treatment (especially for regions around the mouth and eye area-very popular: "Lid lift without scalpel") and removal of (acne) scars

Special preparation:
Strict UV protection at least four weeks before and after treatment. Local anesthetic cream before treatment.

What does the laser recognize in the tissue?
The water in the cells of the skin.

How many applications and duration:
One to five sessions, around 15 to 30 minutes.

Schedule:
Treatments at intervals of eight to twelve weeks. The treatment area must have healed completely before the next session.

Good to know:
Depending on the energy used, a downtime of a few days to two weeks after treatment can be expected. You have to consider that for therapy planning. The more energy is used, the faster treatment success can be achieved, the greater the risk of side effects. Hardly any of my patients can/would like to take so much time after treatment for regeneration. Most of them prefer to come more often, make a gentler treatment and are socially acceptable again after about four days (with powder/make-up for cover). Here you have to honestly advise what is to be expected.

After treatment:
Cooling and special creams and serums can promote wound healing and minimize the down time. Crusts can be dabbed carefully with vinegar water. Consistent sun protection, both textile (hat/cap), sunglasses and at least light protection factor 50 is essential.

Cost:
Depending on the treatment size and laser used, from 500 euros.

4. Removal of benign skin changes (fibroma/sebum glands) and sun damage (actinic keratoses)

Special preparation:
UV protection before and after treatment.

What does the laser recognize in the tissue?
The water in the cells of the skin.

How many applications and duration:
One or two sessions, around five to ten minutes.

Schedule:
Treatments at intervals of eight to twelve weeks. The treatment area must have healed completely before the next session.

Good to know:
Only benign skin changes are lasered. Since the tissue "fizzles out" after laser treatment, the skin change must be dermatologically examined beforehand. Mirte is never lasered. For one to two weeks after the treatment, a crust in the treatment area can be shown that loosens on its own.
Medical indications such as the treatment-related cancer precursor (actinic keratoses) are usually taken over by private health insurance, and in individual cases also by statutory health insurance companies on request. Important: The CO2 laser used is a little more painful.

After treatment:
Special creams can promote wound healing and minimize the down time. Consistent sun protection, both textile (hat/cap), sunglasses and at least light protection factor 50 is essential.

Cost:
Depending on the treatment size and laser used, from 200 euros.

5. Long -lasting hair removal

Special preparation:
Do not epilate or pluck a month before treatment!

What does the laser recognize in the tissue?
The dark pigment in the hair shafts.

How many applications and duration:
Four to eight sessions, around five to 30 minutes.

Schedule:
Treatments at a distance of six to eight weeks. Hair on the face and armpit area speak faster than hair on the legs (rule of thumb: more treatments from "top to bottom" on the body).

Good to know:
Blonde or gray hair without pigment cannot be lasered.
A "permanent" hair removal is not realistic, but a "long -lasting". After the hair density and number is significantly reduced after some treatment, maintenance therapy with one to two sessions per year is usually sufficient.

How long do I look like?
No downtime. More redness and swelling immediately after treatment.

After treatment:
No special follow -up treatment required. Cooling immediately after treatment.

Cost:
KE according to treatment size and laser used, from 300 euros.