Three Most Under-Used Laser Procedures – Warts, Skin Stains and Scars

Laser procedures are gaining popularity with unprecedented momentum. Laser hair removal is among the fastest growing male cosmetic procedures, and is quickly eating into over $130 million that Australians spend on home depilation products every year. However, many people (customers and clinic owners included) don't realize the breadth of applications that a single medical laser machine has. Today we are looking at three of the most under-utilised laser procedures worldwide - laser removal for scars, pigmentation and warts.

Laser removal for scars
Hypertrophic scarring is the most common type - a firm, pinkish scars that can fade over time, but remains the same size as the initial wound. However, there are several types of scars that can be safely treated with laser scar removal.

* Keloid scarring: This type of scarring is the body's overreaction to a wound - scarring is a dark pink-purple color and actually increases over time.
* Hypertrophic scarring: The most usual type of scars - many people have one or more.
* Atrophic scarring: Scars with a depressed area of skin associated with them, as occurs with acne scarring.

Scars are minimized with laser scar removal, but not necessarily removed completely. The upper layer of skin, which is most visibly scarred, is removed during the procedure to expose a more intact and natural looking layer of skin beneath. However, for mainly surface scars such as pockmarking, laser scar removal produces excellent results. YAG model lasers are best suited for acne scarring treatments, which often represent the majority of a practice's business.

Laser removal for pigmented lesions
Laser pigment removal is possible on an enormous range of lesions. The following types of pigmented lesions can be corrected by laser:

* Freckles
* Sun spots and age spots
* Café-au-lait marks
* Port wine stains
* Melasma
* Rosacea

Rosacea, port wine stains, café au lait and other birthmarks and spider veins can be effectively removed with higher wavelength lasers. The darker the pigment, the more intense the laser therapy must be. Clients with light skin tones are relatively easy to treat with laser pigment removal treatments, those with tanned or naturally darker complexions can obtain an uneven result.
Laser pigment removal is particularly suitable for pigmentation with ‘blurry' or poorly defined edges. There will be several treatments needed for full effect, and the practitioner can adjust the area treated each time to achieve a very smooth, natural looking result.

Laser removal for warts
Occasionally, warts are resistant to traditional treatments (especially if the patient has undergone an incomplete course of wart removal therapy, just as with antibiotic therapy). There are several ways to remove these warts, however many need the supervision of a doctor and can cause scarring. Laser wart removal with technologies like a pulsed dye laser can be performed at a cosmetic clinic with a licensed practitioner, and causes less skin damage than freezing, electrodessication or carbon dioxide lasers.

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