A few years ago, actress Courteney Cox said she treats the signs of aging with laser treatments, and she called lasers the wave of the future. Turns out, Cox was on to something. According to the 2016 National Plastic Surgery Statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, almost 171,000 laser skin-resurfacing procedures were conducted in 2000 compared to more than 586,000 laser skin-resurfacing procedures performed in 2016. That’s an increase of more than 200 percent, proving that laser treatments are gaining in popularity, and clients will keep craving them well into the future. One of the main reasons that laser treatments are in high demand is because lasers can treat a wide range of skin ailments. “Laser is an acronym, which stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation,” says Alan Durkin, M.D., CEO of Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery (Vero Beach, FL). “They can be used for a multitude of uses, from cutting diamonds to removing hair to skin rejuvenation. From an aesthetic standpoint, the primary focus is on collagen induction, pigment removal, skin tightening, and rejuvenation."
Because lasers treat a range of skin issues, technology changes rapidly, so we asked the experts to give us a heads up on what the future holds for laser therapy.
“Current research suggests that laser applications will further develop in the area of excess fat and cellulite. I also think we will see the emergence of ‘smart lasers,’ lasers that can analyze the skin’s reactions during the treatment so as to immediately optimize the various laser parameters.”—Luigi L. Polla M.D., founder, Forever Institut & Alchimie Forever (Geneva)
“The future is prevention. Right now, I can treat someone without significant skin damage annually with a fractionated laser, and literally, I can keep their skin youthful and vital. The general public does not know that this exists, but it does. Once the public becomes more aware of the preventative effects of laser therapy, I expect the popularity of laser treatments to soar even higher.”—Alan Durkin, M.D., CEO, Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery (Vero Beach, FL)
“Lasers and energy-based devices are making great advancements in treating skin cancer, growing hair, improving wound healing, and transforming all kinds of scars and trauma injuries.”—Arielle N.B. Kauvar M.D., director, New York Laser & Skin Care (New York City), clinical professor of dermatology, New York University School of Medicine
“As patients become more educated on the benefits and safety of low-level laser and LED therapy, it will become more mainstream with more and more aesthetic facilities offering quality LED services both clinically as well as offering home devices.”—Denise Ryan, VP of brand management, Celluma
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