Lasers Leave a Lasting Impression

We’re getting into that time of year when we might start rushing from one thing to the next. After work or a day of handling family obligations, we head straight for the mall to find the perfect gifts. To save time, some head straight to the internet for the same purpose. At the same time, we’ve got to think about how we will balance celebratory evenings with friends and family with an inherent need to rest. Amidst all of this, many of us are also somewhat concerned that we haven’t gotten around to handling those cosmetic concerns that have been hanging around too long. Not to worry, there’s still time to get more radiant before your holiday gathering. Laser treatment may be just what you need.

Aging Is More than Skin Deep

Aging happens at the cellular level. We don’t need to explain that. But when it comes to aging skin, it’s fun to sometimes look at how it all goes down, and where. You see, the skin is more than what we see. We only see the top layer of tissue, the epidermis. Beneath that are two more, the dermis and subcutaneous fat. The epidermis is the protector. It has keratinocytes that fight environmental stressors. The dermis is the supporter, it provides flexibility and firmness to the skin. Subcutaneous fat is the plumper, it provides contouring where needed.

With age, every one of these layers of tissue degrades. The ravaged epidermis becomes thin. Cells stop producing as much collagen and elastin as they once did, which decreases the firmness and flexibility of the dermis. And subcutaneous fat? Well, that layer of tissue breaks down and sags down to the jawline over time.

Lasers Get the Heart of the Matter

Laser skin resurfacing used to be pretty aggressive. Many people still perceive this to be true. It’s not. Most lasers today are fractional or use gentler wavelengths that address only what is absolutely necessary to stimulate specific responses. The light that passes through the epidermis gets absorbed by the mitochondria, which is fuel to the cells. Stimulated, the mitochondria kick cells like fibroblasts into high gear. These cells then regenerate, making new cells, as well as new collagen and elastin. Together, these responses naturally rejuvenate the skin.

Learning how aging happens and how laser treatment can help is entertaining and mildly educational. Seeing what lasers can do for your aging skin is another experience entirely. To schedule a consultation for laser treatment in our Louisville office, call 502-425-5200.