Lasers might sound like something from science fiction, yet they have been used since the 1960s for various treatments. When appropriately used, lasers can help you medically and cosmetically for all kinds of conditions. Lasers are beneficial from beauty treatments such as hair removal and smoother skin to helping with severe medical procedures such as cancer operations. Additionally, various studies reveal the positive effects of low-level light therapy (infra-red) on general well-being. This is because they work on a cellular level to promote natural energy and serotonin.
Fully Body Hair Removal
For many women, the act of shaving all over the body is tedious. The social stigma of female body hair requires that women be smooth as a glass bottle all over. Yet hair removal takes up time and can be dangerous, and razors are obviously dangerous. Additionally, you can react to the chemicals in liquid hair remover, and waxing just hurts. Lasers are an exceptionally efficient method of hair removal. While the treatment is initially expensive, it is very accurate and lasts for two years. Two years of no shaving justify any expense and the time spent lying naked in full view of strangers.
Corrective Ocular Surgery
Lasers are well-known for tier accuracy. They are so accurate they are suitable for surgery in susceptible and complex areas of the body. Laser eye surgery is a popular method of correcting vision issues for millions of people each year. However, some people don’t want to wear glasses, and others don’t want to poke themselves in the eyes with contact lenses each morning. Cornea reshaping with lenses is the best alternative to both of these dilemmas. The cost is initially substantial, yet the effects last for up to ten years or more in some cases.
Cancer Reduction
Some types of lasers are capable of producing a high amount of heat with extreme accuracy. This makes lasers suitable for cutting all kinds of materials. Lasers are capable of cutting through some of the most robust materials in the world. However, their accuracy and cutting ability make them practical for removing invasive tumors inside the body. Therefore, lasers are widely used in cancer treatments to target specific areas of the body and individual cells.
Dental Applications
Further to the impressive cutting ability of lasers, they are used in dentistry as well as surgery. Lasers can easily cut through the dense bone of jaws. Additionally, targeted lasers can be set to vaporize soft tissue such as those found in the gums. Some dentists use lasers as an alternative over the frightening and jarring mechanical instruments traditionally used. However, the high price of laser technologies means many dentists are yet to adopt them. Therefore, lasers are more commonly found in high-end, private dental practices.
Complex Surgery
Further to rectifying blood flow, the precision of lasers makes them useful for highly complex surgery. Invasive surgeries carry inherent risk, and lasers are more advantageous for numerous reasons. Some of the reasons why lasers are better for complex surgery include but are not limited to:
- Significantly less pain (seals nerve endings)
- Reduced swelling
- Dry surgery (no bleeding)
- No need for sterilization
- A clear view of the work area
While the scalpel is still the traditional surgical instrument of choice, lasers are being adopted more and more. In short, laser surgery is cleaner and more accurate while significantly reducing adverse side effects for the patient associated with general surgery using a scalpel.
Tattoo Removal
There are many reasons you might want a tattoo removed. Some are drunken mistakes, others are poorly applied, and a few are offensive. Yet, the ink in tattoos is so potent that it typically lasts a lifetime. Fortunately, lasers are effective for removing body art. While lasers can cut through materials, they can also be set to penetrate at precise levels. Therefore, lasers can remove tattoo ink one layer at a time. With multiple treatments, a tattoo can be entirely removed. Although the treatment is expensive and there are alternative ways to remove tattoos.
Acne Treatment
A particularly useful way of using lasers is to treat intrusive skin conditions such as acne. While lasers cannot remove acne and acne scars 100%, they can significantly reduce the visibility of such skin defects. For example, Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses 1450nm diodes to effectively treat visible skin conditions. However, it cannot be used for more complicated situations where light cannot reach. Therefore, scars, cysts, whiteheads, and blackheads aren’t removed in a typical PDT session. Also, PDT isn’t immediately effective, and multiple sessions are usually required.
Smoother Skin Therapy
Using lasers on the skin can be dangerous. Therefore, specific low-power lasers are suitable for skin treatments. However, being low power doesn’t mean they aren’t helpful. Quite the opposite, in fact. Low-powered lasers are excellent for removing surface skin, one dermal layer at a time. As a result, the rough top layer of skin can be removed easily. This means the next layer is revealed. The underlayer is fresh and is, therefore, smoother and shinier. This makes lasers excellent for facial beauty treatments to make skin appear younger and rejuvenated.
Endovascular Procedures
The accuracy of lasers also makes them highly beneficial for targeting hard-to-reach places and aiding the body. One such example is the use of lasers in endovascular procedures. The heat of a laser can focus on a specific vein, causing scar tissue. Scarring a vein effectively closes it off and redirects blood flow to an optimal area. Treatments like this are beneficial for rectifying varicose veins and angioplasty for those with heart conditions.
Well-Being Therapies
Over the past few decades, thousands of studies have taken place to assess the effects of low-level laser therapy. In conclusion, many of these tests find positive outcomes for mental disorders such as depression. It is believed that low-level lasers, such as infrared, stimulate mitochondria in your cells. Mitochondria contain photoreceptors that turn light into energy, similar to plant photosynthesis. In turn, you reap the benefits of increased blood flow, boosted neurogenesis, reduced inflammation, and efficient serotonin production.