Cheat Sheet for Laser Lingo: A Guide for Medical Spa Clients
Don’t let laser lingo scare you. If you follow us on Instagram, we posted a story about the lingo you may want to Google mid-appointment. We know medical spa lingo can include beams, pulses, and wavelengths, and you are just trying to figure out which treatment will give you that glow-up you’ve been dreaming of. Navigating the world of aesthetic treatments is much easier when you speak the language. Youthful Infusion Med Spa breaks down the most common laser lingo so you can walk into your consultation with confidence.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
Although often grouped with lasers, IPL isn’t technically a laser. Instead of a single focused beam of light, IPL uses multiple wavelengths of light scattered like a camera flash. This technology is fantastic for treating pigmentation issues. Think of it as a specialized eraser for sunspots, redness, and broken capillaries. If you hear “photofacial,” they are usually talking about an IPL treatment.
Ablative vs. Non-Ablative Lasers
These terms refer to how aggressive the laser is on your skin.
Ablative Lasers: These are the heavy hitters. They remove the top layer of skin and heat the underlying skin, stimulating the growth of new collagen fibers. They are powerful for deep wrinkles and significant texture issues but require more recovery time.
Non-Ablative Lasers: These are gentler. They pass through the skin’s surface without removing it, heating the tissue below to improve texture and tone. You get great results with minimal interruption to your daily life, though you might need a series of treatments.
Fractional Laser
Imagine a digital photo made of pixels. Fractional lasers work on a similar concept. Instead of treating the entire skin surface at once, the laser beam is broken up into thousands of microscopic treatment zones. It targets a fraction of the skin at a time, leaving small bridges of untreated skin intact. This “connective tissue” helps the treated areas heal much faster. It is a popular method for skin resurfacing, which smooths out rough texture, acne scars, and fine lines.
Laser Hair Removal
This is likely the most famous laser term. Laser hair removal uses a concentrated beam of light that is absorbed by the pigment in the hair. The light energy converts to heat, which damages the tube-shaped sacs within the skin that produce hairs. The treatment inhibits or delays future hair growth. It’s important to note that because it targets pigment, the effectiveness can vary based on your hair color and skin tone contrast.
Downtime
This is the big question everyone asks: “What is the downtime?” Downtime is recovery period needed after a procedure.
Social Downtime: You might look a little pink or flaky, but you can still run errands or work from home.
Physical Downtime: You need to stay out of the sun, avoid makeup, and essentially hibernate while your skin heals (common with ablative lasers).
Sloughing
During the healing process, you may notice “sloughing. Sloughing is simply dead skin cells or debris from the treatment area naturally shedding. This is a positive sign that your body is disposing of old tissue to make way for the fresh, rejuvenated skin underneath.
MENDS (Microscopic Epidermal Necrotic Debris)
Often appearing as tiny dark spots or a “sandpaper” texture on the skin a few days after a fractional laser treatment, MENDS are essentially the microscopic pockets of treated skin rising to the surface. They typically flake off naturally within a week, revealing a brighter and smoother complexion.
Contact Youthful Infusion Med Spa
Youthful Infusion Med Spa is so excited to welcome you into our world of lasers. We want you to feel confident in the new year. We have locations in Grapevine, Allen, and Tyler for your convenience. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
