When you think of south Florida, what comes to mind? Celebrities? Super models? Maybe it’s the beaches, and scores of sunbathers. There is a common thread that ties these things together. It is the desire to look fabulous.

It has been said that necessity is the mother of invention. But in today’s society, vanity has proven to be a powerful motivator of technological advancements. The need to be thinner, to have larger breasts, to look younger, has driven medical technology to new heights. There is no place where this is more evident than southern Florida.

A stroll on any beach in south Florida will reveal increasing numbers of residents, and more than a few visitors who have spent thousands of dollars on elective surgeries. People have been augmented, lifted, tucked, and botoxed; all in an effort to achieve that “SouthBeach look”. What could possibly be left?

Rejuvenate Your Skin With Laser Treatment

Whether you want to begin rejuvenating your appearance, or are putting on the finishing touches, laser skin treatment may be what you are looking for. More affordable, and less invasive than many other forms of cosmetic surgery, laser skin care offers many options.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a popular and relatively painless option. A laser is pressed against the skin and, when activated, energy passes through the skin, and into your hair follicles. Intense heat from the laser destroys the follicle, while a cooling gel protects you skin from damage. Most hair colors are responsive to laser removal, but since it is the pigment that attracts the energy, darker hair responds best to this treatment. Also, areas of thinner skin, such as the underarm area or bikini line show the quickest results. The procedure may take anywhere from several minutes to several hours depending on the size of the area being treated, and the density of hair growth. This treatment only works on hair that is in an active growth phase. Since not all of your hair is actively growing at the same time, you should expect to undergo 3-5 treatments, at 4-8 week intervals to achieve long lasting results.

The advantage of laser hair removal is that it eliminates the need for shaving, along with the painful razor burn. It also renders plucking, waxing, electrolysis and expensive depilatories obsolete.

Laser Acne Removal

A little bit of Florida sun and ocean air can do wonders for your complexion, but some people require a little more help. Acne can be a very big problem for kids and adults alike. In severe cases it can affect self esteem, and impact quality of life.

With the overuse of antibiotics, traditional acne treatments have become less effective, thus the need for innovative new treatment options. In as little as six weeks, laser treatment can greatly reduce, if not completely eliminate even the most severe acne breakouts.

The procedure is similar to the hair removal technique. In the case of acne removal, the laser is held just above the surface of the skin. The affected area is irradiated with the beam, and the acne producing bacteria are destroyed. The sebaceous (oil) glands are dried out, and the laser promotes new collagen growth. While there may be some residual swelling or bruising, this generally clears up within 7-10 days.

Laser Skin Rejuvenation

Also called laser skin resurfacing, or laser peel, this is an outpatient procedure for people who wish to achieve a more youthful look. Laser rejuvenation may be somewhat painful, and require a recovery time of several weeks for more intense sessions; but the majority of procedures are relatively painless and require little or no downtime. You will need to consult a qualified dermatologist to determine how invasive your procedure will be, based upon the result you wish to achieve.

Laser resurfacing can be used to reduce the appearance of damage from the effects of the sun, as well as small wrinkles, crow’s feet, minor acne scarring, stretch marks and other imperfections. By applying laser light to the skin, the top layers are removed and new, younger looking skin is revealed. The laser peel is perfect for people who wish to reverse the tell-tale signs of aging.

Laser Spider Vein Treatment

If spider veins are keeping you from going outside in shorts, a laser therapy practitioner may be able to help. Laser spider vein removal can rid you of those unsightly web-like veins that form just below the surface of the skin. There may be some mild discomfort with this treatment, as the laser penetrates the skin. Many patients describe the sensation as being similar to a rubber band being snapped against the skin.

The laser initially turns the veins a purple color, after which they gradually fade away over the course of 5-10 days. After the procedure, there may be some redness and swelling, which is usually eased with ice packs or frozen aloe vera gel.

Living The Life

If self consciousness has been keeping you indoors, one of these laser skin treatment options may very well get you back into that fun in the sun Florida lifestyle. It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but a positive self image can improve your quality of life by getting you back to doing the things you love.

While laser skin treatments may be safer and less painful than traditional cosmetic surgery, there are unlicensed and inexperienced practitioners out there. You should seek out a qualified dermatologist. Don’t be afraid to ask for credentials, or ask to see before and after photos of other patients. And, as always, it is best to consult your physician or health care provider before undergoing any kind of procedure.