At the Sant'Anna Clinic, the versatility of laser on the skin

Dr. Nicoletta Jaberg-Bentele, first of all, it is worth understanding what laser is and what is the underlying technology at the service of dermatology…

«The laser is a medical device that uses specific wavelengths to hit different targets in the skin. In simple terms, it uses the energy produced by the light beam that is absorbed (for example in the case of pigmented lesions) by the pigment present in the skin. It is therefore a non-dangerous treatment, which does not penetrate deeply and, generally, does not produce pain beyond a slight tingling that can be felt during the session.

Thanks to a consolidated technology and advanced functions, the laser allows the doctor to apply various treatment methods specifically designed for the individual needs of each person. We can also say that the Clarity system we use produces visible results after the first treatments: we are talking about a versatile dual wavelength laser system that allows us to offer the most suitable treatment for the person's needs, starting from their careful listening that allows the doctor to postulate a diagnosis and to trace an appropriate path".

In summary, what are the treatment options of this laser technology on the skin?

«In the field of skin diseases, the laser allows for the targeted treatment of cutaneous angiomas (benign tumors caused by an abnormal development of the cells of the endothelial blood vessels), spider nerves (the nevus araneus is a bright red, weakly pulsating vascular lesion consisting of a central arteriole with thin projections similar to spider legs) and other angiomatous skin alterations (affecting blood vessels and capillaries) such as telangiectasias. This, with the advantage of not affecting the remaining unaffected sections of the skin.

Among angiomas we can distinguish a certain variety for which, however, the prognosis is excellent with laser therapy. For example, laser is indicated for Venous Lake, a generally soft papule that ranges from 0.2 to 1 centimeter in size, of a dark blue color, which is commonly found on the surfaces of the vermilion border of the lip. These are absolutely benign lesions that generally occur among elderly people.

With regard to the aforementioned range of treatments, can the laser also help with more “aesthetic” problems?

«Good results are obtained for rosacea, a fairly common skin condition, characterized by a considerable tendency to redness that mainly affects the face, specifically the cheeks and nose, and extends to the forehead and cheekbones. In this case, the wavelengths of the Clarity laser penetrate deep into the blood vessels responsible for the redness of the skin, and its energy is absorbed, allowing the abnormal ones to be removed or reduced to a minimum.

Skin spots, so-called age spots, which are formed mainly after sun exposure, due to an accumulation of UV rays over the course of a lifetime, can also be successfully treated. However, we recommend first performing a dermatological examination with a dermatoscope to exclude melanocytic lesions of malignant origin. In this case, with the help of a special technique, the doctor will precisely eliminate the pigmented spots and the skin will be renewed. It is a pleasant treatment that guarantees a very fast recovery of the skin.

When we talk about lasers and skin, we often think about the permanent elimination of unwanted hair and skin that regenerates…

"In fact, treatment with this system will allow you to say goodbye to the razor, ensuring the fastest and most effective hair removal ever. The hair removal sessions are not at all annoying: the laser energy is simply absorbed by the melatonin of the hair follicle and thus destroys the hair at the root. The laser can also help, in a delicate and minimally invasive way, to reduce wrinkles and firm the skin: we are always talking about pleasant methods that can be applied to practically all skin types and do not require additional local anesthesia."

Are there people who cannot undergo laser treatments, and for what reasons?

«There are few contraindications for which you cannot undergo laser sessions: it is not recommended for those who suffer from epilepsy; as a precaution, it is not suitable if you are pregnant, and you must inform your doctor about the medications you are taking because some could interfere with the result. You must always pay close attention to sun exposure: laser treatments should not be performed in the summer but preferably always during the winter months. And, in any case, you must avoid exposure to the sun before the session, as well as for four weeks after the treatment itself. Especially in the summer, for the skin area treated with the laser, you must use a sunscreen (with a protection factor + 50) for the following 4 – 6 weeks. Furthermore, in the first weeks after laser therapy, you must absolutely avoid the use of self-tanning creams and solariums. Finally, you must absolutely avoid rubbing and scratching the skin treated with the laser».

Can we say that laser is a technology that does not present any particular side effects?

«The external cooling system of the our laser makes the treatment more pleasant and does not require, as we were saying, additional local anesthesia because, thanks to the delicacy of the methods used, it is well tolerated. Finally, it must be said that redness of the skin is rare, even in the case of combined therapies. After the treatment, it is therefore generally possible to take care of the skin and apply makeup as usual.