Light and energy delivered into tissue, where the operator's training and your skin type determine the margin for error.
This is a broad category rather than one treatment. Ablative and non-ablative resurfacing, devices targeting pigment, devices targeting visible vessels, hair removal, and radiofrequency and ultrasound devices all work by depositing energy into tissue in different ways. They are not interchangeable, and a practice that owns one device will sometimes recommend it for a concern it is not the right tool for. Ask what type of device is proposed, why that type, and what the alternatives are.
Skin type is central and is often skipped. Devices that target pigment cannot always distinguish the pigment being targeted from the pigment in the surrounding skin, which is why the risk of burns and of lasting pigment change is higher in darker skin tones and why device selection and operator experience matter more, not less. Recent sun exposure, self-tanner, certain medications and recent aesthetic treatments all change what is safe. A consultation that does not ask about any of that is not a consultation.
The risks are burns, blistering, crusting, infection, scarring, and pigment change in either direction — darker or lighter than the surrounding skin — which can be prolonged and is sometimes permanent. Eye injury is possible without proper protection for both patient and operator. Ask who will operate the device, what their license and device-specific training are, who supervises them, whether a test area is done first, and what the practice does if a burn or a pigment change appears afterward.
Say which category you are considering. We will match you and tell you what the consultation should cover and what to ask before you consent.
Request a ConsultationA short description is enough. We will follow up to confirm the category and what the medical consultation needs to cover first.