{"id":16521,"date":"2017-11-09T11:12:06","date_gmt":"2017-11-09T16:12:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aerolase.com\/?p=16521"},"modified":"2017-11-09T11:12:06","modified_gmt":"2017-11-09T16:12:06","slug":"lasers-for-multicultural-women","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.varshabi.com\/Aerolase\/blog\/lasers-for-multicultural-women\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Lasers for You? Here’s what Multicultural Women Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

By Corynne Corbett as published on MsXFactor<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

When it comes to breakthrough beauty treatments, lasers are often an important part of the conversation. But like scores of beauty products introduced in the past, the benefits of lasers didn\u2019t initially translate to work on those of us who have more melanin in our skin. As a result, many of us assigned lasers to the \u201cNot For Me\u201d List. But laser technology has come a long way so I went to three experts to discuss the changes in laser technology and to help you decide whether it is time to take another look at what they have to offer.<\/div>\n

The side effects have been minimized. \u201c<\/strong>Laser technology has improved and so has the understanding of preventing the side effects of laser treatments in skin of color,\u201d notes Michelle Henry, M.D.<\/a>,  a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at Weill  Cornell Medical College in New York City. \u201cMany new lasers are designed to emit their energy more quickly, reducing the amount of heat introduced to the skin, and diminishing the risk of burns and scarring in darker skin types.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n

Some lasers are \u201ccolor blind\u201d.<\/strong> According to Dr. Jeanine Downie<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in cosmetic dermatology at Image Dermatology in Montclair, New Jersey, these lasers can address a number of our aesthetic concerns.  \u201cWe have many more \u201ccolorblind\u201d lasers that are able to treat us for laser hair removal, broken blood vessels. and for brown spots. Additionally, with the advent of non-ablative fractional resurfacing we too can decrease our acne scarring\/surgical scars\/stretch marks and have an evener skin tone,\u201d she explains. However, Dr. Downie believes that there is still room for improvement when it comes to some lasers. \u201cFor example, tattoo laser treatments are much better but they are still not perfect,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

They turned down the heat for hair removal<\/strong>. Early lasers had difficulty reading dark hair or deeper skin tones which had the potential to cause hyperpigmentation, scarring or burns as well as overall discomfort. Today\u2019s  lasers have been adjusted for our comfort and effectiveness. \u201cLasers have been designed to emit the appropriate amount of energy to destroy the hair but reduce the heat to the skin. It makes laser hair removal significantly more comfortable and safe.,\u201d Dr. Henry, who also practices at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York points out. The number of treatments you\u2019ll need will vary on the body part as well as your hair\u2019s growth cycle. The low end could be 6-8 with the high end requiring as many as 20 treatments.<\/p>\n

They provide better solutions for hyperpigmentation and melasma. <\/strong>To decide whether to explore treating your dark spots with a laser, Maritza Perez, MD, Director of Cosmetic Dermatology, St. Luke\u2019s Roosevelt Medical Center in New York City says to first understand that there is a difference between post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and a dark spot. \u201cPIH is always preceded by an inflammatory process like acne, trauma or something,\u201d she says.\u201dThat chronic hyperpigmentation of sun exposure is blotchy,  there are different levels of damage but you have no inflammation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daily sun protection is no longer an option, it\u2019s a requirement. <\/strong>If you have a  laser treatment, however, you can\u2019t play around and skip the sunscreen application. Downie says,  \u201cAftercare depends on which procedure you are having done, the most important and consistent part of aftercare is to make sure you are wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above, every day rain or shine with constant reapplication, regardless of your ethnicity.\u201d  Henry agrees, she suggests sun avoidance as an extra measure. \u201cFor resurfacing treatments, there might be some redness or swelling for 3-7 days.  I recommend sun avoidance for all laser procedures in dark skin,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s when you might want to skip the lasers.<\/strong> \u201cAnyone with a history of photosensitizing disorders like lupus should take caution or avoid laser procedures,\u201d says Dr. Henry. Another condition that might require you to defer treatment is a cold sore, according to Downie. \u201cOccasionally, if somebody has a bad outbreak of cold sores or herpes around the lips we will put off doing a laser procedure. We will get them on an antiviral medication like Valtrex and have them come back in again later. It depends on the severity of the outbreak, and it is not always necessary to reschedule those patients.\u201d She adds that any patient that already has cold sores that is doing laser around the lips\/perioral area should have a prescription for Valtrex at home in case they break out on weekends or holidays and the doctor is not in the office.<\/p>\n

Do your research and check credentials. <\/b>So what is the best way to find a professional to perform your laser services? Ask around for recommendations and do check their credentials. Laser services could be considered a high ticket beauty investment but price vary by location. However, don\u2019t use price as your number 1 requirement. Downie says many of her laser patients have sought treatment based on a friend\u2019s recommendation. \u201cThe patient should look for a dermatologist or plastic surgeon that is board certified in their field.,\u201d she says \u201cThey should have experience treating skin of color. They should definitely state to the patient that the laser is good for their skin type.\u201d Henry agrees and adds, \u201cLaser surgery on dark skin is high risk. Fixing the damage is far more expensive than doing it right the first time.  This is not the place to use less qualified persons in an attempt to save a few dollars.\u201d So come in with questions, ask to see photographs of patients they\u2019ve treated, don\u2019t be shy. In addition to checking with your friends, we recommend checking the Skin of Color Society<\/a>, a professional organization, started by noted dermatologist Dr. Susan C. Taylor,  that has members across the country well-versed in our needs as part of your research.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Corynne Corbett as published on MsXFactor When it comes to breakthrough beauty treatments, lasers are often an important part of the conversation. But like scores of beauty products introduced in the past, the benefits of lasers didn\u2019t initially translate to work on those of us who have more melanin in our skin. As a result, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":16525,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","blog_category":[59],"blog_tag":[53,51],"class_list":["post-16521","blog","type-blog","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blog_category-best-practices","blog_tag-dermatology","blog_tag-skin-of-color"],"yoast_head":"\nAre Lasers for You? 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