Lasers can be an incredible rejuvenation tool for your body and soul. Improving skin texture may lift, smooth and plump your tissues. This, in turn, contributes to a more youthful, vital and confident demeanor. The key to an exemplary result is in matching the right laser to your individual needs and lifestyle. The latter includes your tolerance for downtime. Though laser skin resurfacing is a non-surgical procedure, lasers are powerful. There is a wide array of options that lie on a spectrum from an intense ablative laser that requires more downtime, to less intense non-ablative lasers that require little downtime, but more treatments. The nice thing about the 1540nm laser is that it is a fractional non-ablative laser that can deliver noticeable improvements in skin texture, brown spots and fine lines. It may also be a great option for treating your scars.
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Sean Doherty, has the kind of extensive expertise in lasers that allows him to train other top plastic surgeons and physicians on how to safely and appropriately use these devices. He is also the medical director of Cynosure, Inc., the developer of many of the top laser and energy-based devices in use today. In his Boston area practices, the 1540nm is one of his laser workhorses. While he prides himself on being extremely honest about what any given procedure can and cannot achieve, figuring out whether or not the 1540nm is right for you is always going to come down to an in-person consultation.
1540 nm Laser Consultation in Boston
Patients today are highly educated about skin rejuvenation treatments thanks to the internet. However, a laser procedure that worked wonders for your favorite TikTok or Instagram star may not be the right choice for you. And the wrong choice can either be a waste of money and/or exacerbate your issues.
This is why it is important to schedule an in-person consultation. It is particularly critical to do so when contemplating lasers as you need an experienced professional to accurately assess your skin tone and melanin index in order to determine whether or not you are at risk for a laser burn or scars.
During your meeting with Dr. Doherty, he will listen closely to what bothers you about your appearance. He will inquire into your family history, medical history, any prior procedures you may have had and how your body healed. Then, he will perform a physical exam in order to assess your skin tone and texture to ascertain if the 1540nm is the best laser to deliver on your goals.
Ideal Candidate for 1540nm Laser
The ideal candidate for a 1540nm laser procedure is any man or woman in good overall health who is bothered by:
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Brown spots
- Hyperpigmentation
- “Crepey”, uneven skin texture
- Mild to moderate sagging
- Acne scars
- Surgical scars
- Stretch marks
Understanding Ablative vs. Non-Ablative Laser Options
An ablative laser is a more aggressive procedure as it both removes the top layer of skin and penetrates into the deeper layers of your dermis. This allows it to deliver an extremely robust outcome, but the damage to the epidermis caused by an ablative procedure will take about 5-7 days to heal and have 10-12 days of swelling and redness. Both CO2 and Erbium (2940nm) are examples of popular ablative laser treatments. One of the things that makes the 1540nm laser so ideal is that it is a non-ablative laser, so it does not remove the surface of the skin, yet it still treats all the layers of your dermis by sending microbeams of laser energy into the deeper tissues. This “injury” triggers your body’s own healing response which is to produce more collage and elastin. As two of the fundamental components of youthful looking skin, more collagen and elastin will result in improved skin texture and tone.
Benefits of 1540nm Laser
As discussed, the major benefit of the 1540nm is its ability to deliver exceptional rejuvenation with minimal downtime. Most patients describe the recovery as feeling like a bad sunburn for a couple of days. Yet, the efficacy of the 1540nm is more intense than what you can get with other popular non-ablative lasers such as Clear + Brilliant and PICOSure. The 1540nm can improve the appearance of:
- Scars
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Freckles
- Redness
- Brown spots
- Broken capillaries
- Acne scars
- Enlarged pores
It is also versatile. Ideal for treating the skin and tissues of the face, Dr. Doherty will also use the 1540nm at a lower setting on the:
- Chest
- Neck
- Arms
The only real downsides of this procedure, assuming that it is the right option for delivering on your goals, is that it will generally take 3-4 treatments, spaced 4-6 weeks apart before you see your final result, and it cannot be done while you are spending time in the sun.
1540nm Laser Procedure & Recovery
Laser skin resurfacing is performed as an out-patient procedure in the office. A trusted member of Dr. Doherty’s team will first numb your treatment area with a combination of a topical numbing agent and ice. This will help reduce any discomfort. The 1540nm produces the kind of heat that you will feel, but patients describe the procedure as uncomfortably warm, not painful. While you may return to your daily routine immediately afterwards, your skin will be red and swollen with minor scabbing for about 24-72 hours. For this reason, many patients lay low for a couple of days.
Since any laser procedure is going to make your skin more sensitive to the sun, it is best to schedule your 1540nm procedure during a time of the year when you will not be outside, and to be vigilant about wearing sunscreen. To find out more about the 1540 nm laser, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Brookline office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.