Your Skincare Guide to Lasers

There’s good reason these tools are so buzzy: Smooth, plump, brighten, balance…they have the power to beam your healthy-skin wish-list into reality.

Energy, light, heat and cold – those are the entities that, when manipulated by a laser, can turn around almost any skin issue. “By and large, lasers produce light wavelengths that are converted into heat, or cold, energy. That energy has the power to work magic on your skin,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Shafer Clinic, who uses such cutting-edge science to treat her patients. “Lasers stimulate collagen production for a plumper, more youthful complexion, improve texture, treat acne, erase dark patches and redness – the list is long.”

And the devices just keep getting better and better. “Laser technology has improved leaps and bounds in the past decade,” says Dennis Gross, MD, board-certified dermatologist, founder of Dennis Gross Dermatology, and laser expert. “The emitted wavelengths are incredibly precise and targeted, allowing for more efficient and safe treatments, and minimal downtime. With all they do, lasers are integral to modern skincare.”

Of course, with so many laser options available, two key questions pop up: How exactly do they all work, and what’s the best one for my goal? So, we’re breaking it down for you, with a few pointers to keep in mind. Both dermatologists say that the number of treatments you’ll need and the recovery time totally depend on the individual, so you’ll want to talk to your provider to run through all the specifics. And they want to scream from the mountain tops how important it is to protect your investment by wearing sunscreen every day and adopting a good routine with quality products. Here are their pro picks for tackling the most common concerns.

If you want to…

PREVENT WRINKLES
Try Fraxel
A fractionated laser, like Fraxel, causes microscopic columns of injury to the barrier (envision making a polka-dot pattern on your skin), explains Dr. Engelman. “While at the same time, leaving zones of healthy surrounding tissue untouched and intact.” This means you experience less overall damage, but still get the potent skin-rejuvenating benefits. “Those areas of injury then trigger your natural collagen-rebuilding process, so your skin rebounds smoother, plumper, lifted and revitalized,” she explains. “What’s more, improvements progress for up to six months as new collagen continues to rebuild.” And as an extra bonus, your refreshed skin has fewer dark spots and less sun damage.

REDUCE REDNESS
Try Vbeam
That chronic facial flush is usually due to vascular issues, like broken blood vessels, spider veins or rosacea, which makes the Vbeam, a laser that addresses them all, a real savior for anyone struggling with redness. It works by shooting off rapid bursts of light. When those rays hit the skin, they become converted into heat energy that gets absorbed by specific blood vessels without damaging the surrounding area, explains Dr. Gross. “That heat forces the destruction of those blood vessels, which are subsequently removed via your body’s natural processes.”

DIAL DOWN INFLAMMATION AND ERASE AGE SPOTS
Try GLACIAL RX
On the opposite side of the spectrum from the heat-generating lasers, the Glacial RX offers cold therapy, so it actually feels amazing as it does its work. “It’s a fantastic device that uses new cryo-technology to strategically bring down inflammation so your skin becomes calm (less red and irritated) and clear,” explains Dr. Engelman. “It also wipes out hyperpigmentation and dark spots by temporarily freezing or suspending the production of melanin (pigment) in over-producing cells. The results develop over the course of 30 days, ultimately revealing smoother, more radiant skin with dramatically reduced skin discoloration.”

FIRM YOUR SKIN
Try Ultherapy
The laser transmits sound waves that pass through the skin’s surface and deliver energy to points within the dermis. When the energy reaches the targeted area, the heat cranks up, kicking collagen production into action. “The process sparks the body’s own regenerative response to gently and gradually firm and lift the skin,” explains Dr. Gross. What makes this such a successful laser is partly due to its precision. “It is the only cosmetic procedure to use ultrasound imaging which allows practitioners to actually see the layers of tissue targeted during the treatment, and ensure the energy is deposited exactly where it is most beneficial,” says Dr. Gross.

ERADICATE ACNE

Try AviClear
“A first of its kind, the AviClear is a revolutionary treatment that uses a specific wavelength to target “sick” oil glands which lead to acne,” explains Dr. Gross. “It works by suppressing these “sick” glands and preventing them from producing thick, low-quality oil that causes breakouts.” Three quick treatments and you get dramatic, long-lasting results. “And because the laser uses a cooling control, the temperature of your skin is maintained during the treatment, so it’s more comfortable than some other hotter lasers,” he adds.

REMOVE A TATTOO AND CORRECT HYPERPIGMENTATION
Try PicoWay
With this laser, pulses of light energy are beamed at an extraordinarily rapid rate—a picosecond—to bombard and break up pigment below the surface of the skin. “Those teeny-tiny particles of pigment are small enough that your body can then clear them away,” says Dr. Engelman. The PicoWay is very effective for getting rid of a regretted tattoo, but it also does wonders on any unwanted dark areas that have heavier pigment, and can even lighten acne scars.

TONE AND TIGHTEN YOUR FACE AND BODY
Try NuEra Tight
As we age, production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid—elements that keep skin firm, bouncy, and dewy—decrease, according to Dr. Engelman. “In fact, by age 30, we start to produce 1% less collagen each year,” she says, “which adds up over time, contributing to signs of aging, such as drooping skin.” This laser delivers radio frequency energy that produces heat to stimulate all three of those desired dermal components—so your skin heals thicker, tighter and firmer. “The boost in collagen and elastin helps smooth the skin structure, so it’s also great for cellulite when used on the body,” says Dr. Engelman.

Try Emsculpt neo
This is the first and only non-invasive body-shaping procedure to address both muscle and fat, says Dr. Engelman. Emsculpt neo emits radio frequency that heats and damages fat cells, which are then naturally removed from the body. At the same time, it sends out high frequency electromagnetic energies that stimulate muscle fibers. “It induces supramaximal muscles contractions—approximately 20,000 in 30 minutes—that’s equal to doing 20,000 sit ups! Clinical studies have shown that it can increase muscle mass by 25 percent and reduce fat by 30 percent on average. I see excellent results using it on my patients,” says Dr. Engelman.

FADE AND EVEN OUT DISCOLORATION

Try Lumenis ResurFX
This laser is non-ablative, meaning it keeps the outer layer of the skin intact, so healing is speedy and downtime is minimal—usually just some mild redness. It’s also extremely customizable, allowing your practitioner to adjust the beam’s shape, size, and strength to fit your individual needs. “As it directs its heat-energy in tiny, precise, dot-like streams, it activates your skin’s natural production of collagen,” says Dr. Gross. As that collagen increases, your skin begins to renew, becoming more even, less blotchy, and ultimately more youthful.

SMOOTH, PLUMP, AND CLEAR
Try LYMA
The first medical-grade at-home laser, the Lyma employs cold technology, combining high-powered LED lights that kill bacteria on the skin’s surface, with a laser beam that travels to deeper levels. “It acts like a switch to turn on cellular rejuvenation, transforming the appearance of skin from the base layer on up,” explains Joanna Czech, facialist, founder of her eponymous skincare line, and huge fan of the Lyma laser. Czech created her signature facial for the NEST spa at Blackberry Mountain and makes this laser a star player in the treatment. “The quality of our cells determines signs of aging—and the LYMA Laser works directly to regenerate the health of our skin cells,” she explains. “I've seen immediate results for superficial bumps or redness, then real transformation when used consistently for three months.”

“Since it’s a cold laser, it’s completely safe for guests staying at the mountain,” adds Kathy Ryvard, Spa and Wellness Director at Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain. “Because guests are outside so much, we didn’t want to use something that’s extremely aggressive that would prevent them from being able to enjoy hiking or sitting by the pool. And the Lyma is available for purchase, so guests can continue to treat themselves at home. It’s just so easy and convenient to use, anytime, anywhere.”