Cosmetic Laser Treatments

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The Issue

Laser technology is being used for an increasing number of cosmetic treatments. Examples include hair reduction, skin resurfacing for wrinkle reduction and/or treatment of acne scars, removal of pigmented blemishes (e.g., age spots and moles), and treatment of vascular lesions (e.g., port wine stains and spider veins). Lasers are also used to remove tattoos.

If you are considering any of these procedures, it is important to look at the potential risks as well as the potential benefits.

Background

A number of medical devices using related technologies have been licenced in Canada for use in cosmetic treatments. These technologies include various types of lasers, intense pulsed light and radio-frequency energy, all of which operate on the same basic principle.

Lasers emit an intense beam of light or energy (visible or invisible) with a specific wavelength, which is targeted at a type of tissue in the part of the body being treated. When the beam of energy reaches its target, it is absorbed and converted into heat. If the procedure is done properly, the heat inactivates or destroys cells in the target area without having a significant effect on the other cells that surround it.

For hair reduction, the laser system targets the melanin (or dark colouring) in the h