When Should You Start Facial Laser Treatments?
Everybody’s doing it.
If Kim K. jumped off a bridge, would you? We probably would, Carol.
Facial laser treatments are all over Facebook, Instagram, and in pop culture magazines. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Chrissy Teigan, Gweneth Paltrow, and Paula Abdul have all been open about their use of various Class II devices such as facial lasers and radiofrequency microneedling devices.
Historically, it was taboo to speak of medical aesthetic treatments. Thankfully, we seem to be reaching a new era where it is widely accepted to use safe science to our advantage to combat unwanted signs of aging. So, what age should you start getting facial laser treatments? Let’s dive in.
The answer will vary slightly from patient to patient. Some patients do not begin to see signs of aging until their mid-30’s due to more melanin in their skin, better use of SPF and antioxidants in their youth, diet and other lifestyle factors. While some of us, 80-s and 90’s babies are ready to start playing catch up.
All those days of lying out in the backyard with Sun-In, lemon juice, and all types of oils lathered all over us, have definitely accelerated the aging process.
Am I a candidate for facial laser treatments?
In general, any patient over 18 who has evidence of sun damage such as dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, or loose skin is a candidate for facial lasers and devices like IPL, BBL, Morpheus8, and SkinPen. If those terms sound foreign, let us break down each for you.
IPL or Intense Pulsed Light as well as BBL or Broadband Light
These are both treatments that target unwanted dark spots and vascular damage. Think browns and reds. The light energy targets the broken capillaries, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation to clear them from the skin’s surface. Anti-aging light energy is poured into the skin through BBL Forever Young’s Advanced IPL technology. This treatment is generally started in one’s 30’s and then maintained annually. Patients in their 40’s and 50’s may opt to have this treatment twice a year for the additional collagen and elastin stimulation that it provides. Patients in their 60’s and beyond may benefit from quarterly treatments.
Microneedling or Radiofrequency Microneedling devices like SkinPen and Morpheus8
These are considered the gold standard in collagen induction therapy. Since collagen loss begins in our late 20’s and the enzyme that breaks down collagen increases in our bodies year after year, it is imperative that patients begin collagen induction therapy as soon as they start to see evidence of volume loss and loss of elasticity. This typically begins in the late 20’s or early thirties.
For patients with minimal skin changes, SkinPen is a great and affordable treatment option with about 24 hours of social downtime where the patient looks like they have a mild sunburn. SkinPen also addresses texture, fine lines, acne scars, and mildly brightens dark spots. Patients may need a series of 3-5 treatments if targeting major skin concerns, but others can get by with 1-2 sessions annually.
For patients who are beginning to notice laxity in the skin or crepey skin anywhere on their body, Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling takes the technology of SkinPen to a higher level for even more dramatic results. Morpheus8 and Morpheus body are the gold standard treatments for skin tightening and collagen induction. Unlike Thermage, Ultherapy, SkinTyte and other popular treatments, these treatments are extremely tolerable while being incredibly effective. A series of 3 is recommended for addressing specific skin concerns with maintenance occurring every 1-5 years. Younger patients may receive a single maintenance session every 3 years or so, while more mature patients often opt for a single annual maintenance session after treating their area of concern to corrections.
Morpheus8 is also referred to as a non-surgical facelift or a non-surgical blepharoplasty on the eyes. This is because the treatment not only stimulates collagen which adds plumness and subtle volume to tissues, but it also stimulates elastin which is the snapback or reversal agent for laxity AKA loose skin. If you are interested in Morpheus8, checkout some of our other blogs on this topic or come in for a free consultation.