Photorejuvenation

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Photorejuvenation is a skin treatment that uses lasers, intense pulsed light, or photodynamic therapy to treat skin conditions and remove effects of photoaging such as wrinkles, spots, and textures. The process induces controlled wounds on the skin, prompting it to heal itself by creating new cells. This process reverses the signs of photoaging to a certain extent by removing appearances of damage.

Types of Photorejuvenation[edit | edit source]

Photorejuvenation can be divided into two main types: Non-ablative and Ablative Lasers.

Non-ablative[edit | edit source]

Non-ablative treatments work by heating up the inner layer (dermis) and stimulating collagen growth. This results in the skin becoming plumper, firmer and smoother.

Ablative Lasers[edit | edit source]

Ablative lasers are more intense and work by vaporizing the top layers of skin to promote collagen production in the underlying skin. This results in a smoother, younger looking skin.

Benefits[edit | edit source]

Photorejuvenation has several benefits, including:

  • Improvement of skin texture
  • Reduction of wrinkles
  • Reduction of redness and flushing
  • Reduction of pore size
  • Reduction of brown spots

Risks[edit | edit source]

Like any medical procedure, photorejuvenation has potential risks, including:

  • Pain during treatment
  • Skin turning pink and a little sore immediately after the procedure
  • Sensitivity to sunlight
  • Changes in skin color

See Also[edit | edit source]

Photorejuvenation Resources

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD