Get Ready for Spring with These Laser Procedures

In February 2014, Atlanta was hit with the first snow storm in decades. After the initial novelty wore off, grim reality set in – the roads became impassable, leaving people stranded for hours in rush hour traffic. It was at that point most people became officially sick of winter and were praying for the relief of spring.

Well, despite what the groundhog says, spring is coming; and with the spring comes warm weather, meaning less clothing and more skin.

Are you ready to shed all those layers and expose the body you’ve kept hidden all winter? If not, perhaps you should check out some of these laser cosmetic procedures.


Laser Hair Removal


Laser hair removal uses laser light to destroy the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. The procedure is considered permanent because the follicles are no longer functional. The process works best on darker hair; because dark hair absorbs light better –lighter hair tends to reflect the laser light. Conversely, people with lighter skin also tend to respond better to laser hair removal.

You can use laser hair removal on most parts of your body; although experts recommend you avoid having treatments close to your eyes, genitals and other sensitive areas.

It can take several treatments to remove all the hair from the designated area and the number of sessions depends on the size of the area as well as hair and skin color.

The FDA indicates that all laser treatments have risks including: skin irritation, burns, scarring, and swelling. You should also avoid direct sunlight immediately after each procedure.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Laser Skin Treatments


IPL laser treatments use laser light to remove liver spots, birthmarks, and other skin discolorations. Many skin discolorations are caused by a pigment called melanin. The pigment clumps together, under the skin, create large dark spots and strips of discoloration.

These spots tend to appear in areas that get a lot of sun exposure, like your arms, hands, legs and face.
The IPL laser works by breaking the clumps of melanin into smaller bits, which your body then absorbs. You can use this procedure to remove discoloration.

It can take several treatments to remove all of the discoloration, and the number of treatments depends on the size and density of the spots.

Laser Skin Resurfacing


This process is also known as a laser peel and uses laser light to remove wrinkles, blemishes and scars. The laser removes the upper layer of skin damaged skin, and the heat from the laser stimulates the next layer to produce new cells. This procedure also stimulates collagen growth, which helps smooth your skin.

The procedure requires some healing time and you can experience redness, swelling and itching during the healing period.

The procedure is usually performed on small areas, and you may need more than one procedure depending on the size of the area and the extent of the damage.

Laser Varicose Vein Removal


There are several procedures that can remove and reduce the appearance of these veins, one such treatment is a procedure known as endovenous ablation.

Endovenous Ablation (EVLA) uses a laser to seal the problem vein to stop blood flow blood flow. Over time, the vein shrinks and is no longer visible beneath the skin.

EVLA has a 98 percent success rate, and results are visible within hours. If you have more than one varicose vein, you will need multiple sessions because they can only treat one vein at a time.

Like many laser procedures, there is a risk of burning and irritation, but the procedure rarely produces scars. Additionally, because it is an outpatient procedure – performed in the doctor’s office – you can immediately resume your daily activities.

Paying for Your Procedure


The cost varies depending on the facility, geographic location, the type of procedure, and the number of sessions you have. The price for laser surgery could be as low as $50 and as much as $3,000.
The best way to determine the cost is to consult with a physician or cosmetic specialist in your area. Some facilities might offer discounts and specials, especially if you have multiple procedures.
Check listings and advertisements to see if there are facilities within the city, or outside Atlanta, that offer specials and deals on laser cosmetic procedures. You can also check listings for discount websites, like Groupon or Amazon local, for possible specials.

Many facilities also offer payment plans and financing to help you pay for your procedure.