Laser treatment

Lasers can target different structures of the skin with great precision: some target pigment, others target blood vessels or the hair follicle, while dermal stimulation lasers work on skin quality and texture. Results vary depending on the indication, skin phototype, area treated and settings used. The limits: no laser can guarantee the complete disappearance of a lesion, perfectly even skin, permanent hair removal or complete rejuvenation. Several sessions may be needed, and some lesions or indications may require other care.

Before laser treatment, Dr Manon Belhoste needs to know your medical history, treatments and any recent care. Recent sun or UV exposure may rule out or delay certain laser treatments because of the risk of burns and pigmentation problems. Use of self-tanning products must also be reported. Any active infection, inflammation or skin lesion on the area to be treated must be reported. Certain medicines, in particular those that increase photosensitivity, must be mentioned. For a pigmentation laser treatment, any atypical or undiagnosed pigmented lesion must be assessed before treatment. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, non-essential aesthetic treatments are postponed as a precaution.

After laser treatment, the instructions depend on the laser used and the area treated. Strict sun protection is recommended after laser treatments, with sun exposure avoided wherever possible. Irritating products or harsh treatments should be avoided until the skin has fully recovered. Any redness, swelling or crusting should not be scratched. Detailed instructions on care and on how to protect from the sun are given after the session.

The result depends on the type of laser and the indication. After vascular laser, the treated small vessels gradually fade. After pigmentation laser, spots may temporarily darken before lightening. After hair removal laser, the reduction in hair growth appears gradually over sessions. With the Erbium glass laser, improvement in skin quality and texture builds up gradually over weeks and months.

The sensation depends on the laser, the area and individual sensitivity. A feeling of warmth, prickling or small snapping on the skin may be felt during the session. A cooling system may improve comfort. A numbing cream or local anaesthesia may be offered when needed.

Yes. As with any treatment that uses light energy, laser can exceptionally cause hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, particularly after sun exposure or in people with darker skin phototypes. The choice of laser and settings must therefore be adapted to skin phototype and the area treated. It is essential to protect from the sun rigorously before and after treatment.

Scars are rare when treatment is carried out with suitable settings and in good conditions. The risk depends in particular on the type of laser, the depth of treatment, skin phototype and skin history. A secondary infection or poor healing may increase this risk.

Hair removal laser provides a lasting and significant reduction in hair growth, but it cannot guarantee that every hair will disappear permanently. Some follicles may remain active or be reactivated over time, particularly under the influence of hormonal factors. Maintenance sessions may therefore be needed.