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How many different applications are there for lasers?
Every field in the medical profession used lasers
- ophthalmology, plastic surgery, gynaecology and
dermatology. Lasers first appeared in 1956 when lasers
were used to treat broken blood vessels in the back
of the eye. Today they are used to remove hair, birthmarks,
in skin resurfacing (including scar removal) and
many other applications.
Are laser treatments ever combined with other cosmetic
treatments?
Cosmetic laser treatments are much more effective
if done in conjunction with other cosmetic modalities
like Botox. They are often combined with lip enhancement
and deeper wrinkle and line treatment using soft
tissue injectables such as Restylane.
Consumers have questioned the safety of lasers.
Is there cause for concern?
Using a laser is really an artistic skill. In many
procedures, it's more an art than a science. The
end results are technique (user) dependent. Where
patients usually have difficulties is with inexperienced
doctors or non-specialists using inferior equipment.
The Vaughan Laser Clinic has performed over 5,000
treatments since 1998, and have two different laser
systems in use. We have never had safety issues because
of the training of our staff. However, there is always
a risk of some degree of burning and some scarring
in selected circumstances. This is not the rule,
but rather the exception. Lasers are a tool like
any other tool and there is always some inherent
risk involved.
Does repeated exposure to lasers cause any damage
to skin?
Lasers are a unique form o light energy. Unlike
ultraviolet sunlight and radiation from X-rays, with
lasers there is no accumulation effect.
What special training is required to operate a laser?
There are many special courses available throughout
Canada and the U.S.. Laser manufactures also provide
training as part of their purchase package too. Remember,
using a laser is like driving a car, the more you
do it, the more skilled you become. With any medical
or cosmetic procedure, it is recommended that patients
go to a specialist for any type of treatment because
they have the advanced expertise to treat any challenges
that may arise.
What is the best advice for people who want to lean
more about lasers, or who are considering a laser
treatment do?
The Internet has a great deal of information on lasers,
so that=s a good place to start. Speak with friends,
family, colleagues about there experiences. It
is important to go to a centre whose specialty
is lasers, not to a physician who dabbles in these
procedures or who has inferior equipment. Ideally
you what a specialist who has expertise in that
particular service and ask how much experience
they have with lasers.
Once again it is important to emphasize that the
laser is just a tool. Used in the hands of a skilled
operator, it become just another tool of their
trade, Used in the hands of someone who is not
skilled, then it can be ineffective and potentially
harmful.
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