From laugh lines and stretch marks to acne scars and sunspots, our skin tells the story of our lives. But as time ticks on, many of us search for ways to rejuvenate, refresh and maybe hit the “delete” button on a few chapters.
Enter laser treatments — a noninvasive option taking the beauty world by storm, delivering impressive results without the need for surgery or an army of creams and serums.
With a multitude of laser options flooding the market, The Post consulted two experts to get the scoop on which treatments are best suited for your skin’s specific needs.
Tackling fine lines and wrinkles
As we age, our production of collagen and elastin — two key proteins that give our skin its structure and elasticity — begins to dwindle.
The result? Thinner, more fragile skin that’s more prone to wrinkles. Sun exposure, smoking, dehydration, stress and those repetitive facial expressions we make every day (hello, squint and smile lines) only make things worse.
While we can’t stop Father Time, lasers can help smooth out those pesky creases.
Non-ablative fractional lasers “use a particular wavelength of light that goes directly underneath the skin to stimulate collagen,” Dr. Lisa O. Akintilo, a dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at NYU Langone Health, told The Post.
“It’s really good for addressing fine lines and wrinkles, and can help with unwanted pigment too,” she noted.
At Langone, experts also recommend laser treatments like Fraxel or more aggressive options like Halo, which Dr. Maressa C. Criscito, a dermatologic surgeon at the hospital, called “phenomenal for collagen stimulation” and effective at targeting those stubborn fine lines.
Addressing sagging skin
Beyond wrinkles, sagging skin is another sign of aging that many of us find hard to ignore.
As we get older, the decline in elastin and collagen combined with factors like sun exposure, weight fluctuations, hormonal changes and gravity’s relentless pull can lead to noticeable sagging.
This loss of definition can show up just about anywhere, but it’s most noticeable on the face, jawline, neck, upper arms, abdomen and inner thighs.
Luckily, noninvasive skin tightening treatments are proving to be a game-changer. Criscito recommended Sofwave, which uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to penetrate deep beneath the skin’s surface.
“The treatment is great because it helps with collagen stimulation and fine lines, but it also helps with tightening of the face and neck. We are also able to use it off the face as well,” she said.
“One of the most exciting aspects of this treatment is not only the results, but also that there is no downtime after treatment,” Criscito added.
Minimizing scars and stretch marks
Scars — those pesky, permanent reminders of tissue damage — are something most of us would rather forget.
Whether caused by acne, surgery, injuries or even autoimmune disorders, scars form when your body overproduces collagen during the healing process, leaving behind patches of skin that look and feel different from the rest of your body.
But don’t fret: Laser treatments can help restore your skin’s surface, reduce redness and smooth things out.
“Fraxel is one great treatment option,” Criscito said. “There are other non-ablative and ablative fractional resurfacing devices that can be used for scarring as well.”
For those battling acne scars, Criscito suggested radiofrequency microneedling, which she says is an effective and safe option for all skin types.
Then there are stretch marks — the infamous lines that pop up when your skin stretches or shrinks too quickly, often from pregnancy or sudden weight gain.
For these streaky souvenirs, Akintilo recommended non-ablative fractional lasers and radiofrequency microneedling. “I also like lasers that target redness to shut down those blood vessels and make the scars less visible,” she added.
Evening out your skin tone
Uneven skin tone is another common concern that lasers can help address.
One of the biggest culprits is hyperpigmentation, which causes patches of the skin to become darker in color due to excess melanin production.
This can be caused by a variety of factors, including sun exposure, hormonal changes, certain medications and even underlying health conditions.
Akintilo said that non-ablative fractional lasers are effective at targeting uneven pigmentation and dark spots, helping promote a more even skin tone. Plus, these laser treatments also stimulate collagen production, which can further improve skin texture and appearance.
“There is also something called a Pico laser, and that technology has been used for a lot of different things, like tattoos, fine lines and wrinkles, but it can also be helpful for breaking up unwanted pigment,” she noted.
No matter what skin concern you’re aiming to address, Criscito stressed the importance of setting realistic expectations before jumping into laser treatments.
“Whether it be stretch marks or acne scarring or any type of cosmetic improvement that we’re looking to focus on, it’s rarely just a one-and-done treatment approach,” she said. “It often takes multiple treatments over a time period of weeks to months to see results.”
