Superficial skin concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, and scarring can be difficult to treat with over-the-counter products. Many of these over-the-counter products are not powerful enough to penetrate the deeper skin layers to truly stimulate significant collagen production that will improve the appearance of your skin. However, at Laser Skin Solutions Jacksonville in Jacksonville Beach, FL, we know that Laser Genesis is an ideal treatment for people who have moderate to severe superficial skin concerns.
Laser Genesis is a non-invasive and non-ablative laser treatment that uses thermal energy to stimulate collagen production from the deepest layers of the skin. Many patients consider this treatment to be well-tolerated, relaxing, and therapeutic, as well as a highly effective solution for superficial skin concerns. One of the biggest benefits of this treatment is how long the results can last.
How Long Do Laser Genesis Results Last?
In general, most patients can expect the results of this laser treatment to last for six to 12 months at a time. For the treatment of some skin concerns, such as scarring, the results of this treatment can be permanent. The reason why the results of this treatment are semi-permanent for concerns such as skin laxity and wrinkles is that the new collagen that is produced by this treatment will eventually deplete due to the natural aging process.
Compared to other aesthetic treatments, such as dermal fillers or neurotoxins like Botox, the results of this treatment are long-lasting. Facial treatments and other aesthetic treatments can usually only produce results that last for six months, although there may be some exceptions to this rule with certain products. Overall, this means that Laser Genesis is an ideal treatment for patients who are looking for long-lasting results.
How Can You Maintain Results?
Of course, even with long-lasting results patients may still want to ensure their results last for as long as possible. One of the best ways to maintain results is to have a regular treatment schedule, which usually means having annual appointments once a year to maintain high collagen production and improve the overall condition of skin for concerns such as rosacea.
Some ways you can maintain the results of your treatment can include protecting your skin from the Sun, using good skincare products, avoiding triggers for certain skin conditions, and controlling acne to prevent scarring.
Sun Protection
Protecting your skin from the sun is essential to maintaining long-lasting results. Damage from UV rays is thought to cause at least 80% to 90% of all visible skin aging, which can include skin laxity, wrinkles, dark spots, freckles, blemishes, and other visible skin concerns. To protect your skin from the sun, you should wear SPF 30 or higher when you plan to be outside during the daytime.
People who have fair skin or skin that easily burns should use stronger SPF protection. Sunscreen should also be worn on cloudy days because UV rays can pass through clouds and affect the health and appearance of the skin, so even if you weren’t getting a sunburn on a cloudy day, you can still be damaging your skin with UV exposure.
Skincare Products
Skincare products are also an essential component to maintaining your desired treatment results, particularly for people who are treating signs of aging. Skincare products for anti-aging are typically most effective when they are used daily, sometimes even twice daily for certain formulas. The most common anti-aging ingredients can include retinol, hyaluronic acid, and collagen.
If you are treating other skin concerns, such as acne, dry skin, or pigmentation concerns, you will want to be thoughtful with the skincare products that you use. One of the most popular skincare products right now for superficial skin concerns is niacinamide, which is used to support a healthy skin barrier and promotes overall better skin health. If you aren’t sure what skincare products are best for your skin type or skin concerns, we can give you recommendations.
Avoiding Triggers
Certain skin conditions, such as rosacea, have triggers that should be avoided to minimize flare-ups. Learning your skin triggers is an essential component of maintaining your desired results from your Laser Genesis treatment. Some triggers associated with rosacea can include acidic skincare products, sun exposure, environmental exposure like wind, and foods in your diet such as spicy foods. Because rosacea is a chronic skin condition, it’s important to recognize and understand your triggers to improve your skin health for the long term.
Controlling Acne
Finally, if you have acne-prone skin, it’s also important to control your acne breakouts to maintain long-lasting results from your Laser Genesis treatment. Controlling acne breakouts usually means finding skincare products and topical medications that regulate oil production, accelerate cellular turnover, and eliminate acne-causing bacteria. Some of these products can include ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and even glycolic acid for those who have sensitive skin.
By controlling your acne breakouts, you will prevent inflammation in the skin that can lead to enlarged pores, as well as prevent scar formation from acne. There are many elements involved in controlling acne, so if you are not sure how to address your acne concerns, please speak with one of our skin experts for product recommendations or a skin analysis to determine the type of acne that you have.
What Does Laser Genesis Treat?
This non-ablative laser treatment can address a wide variety of superficial skin concerns, making it one of the most first-time laser treatments available to patients. Some of the skin concerns that can be addressed with this treatment can include acne, dry skin, red skin, enlarged pores, rosacea, acne scarring, pigmentation concerns, angiomas, facial veins, wrinkles, fine lines, freckles, brown spots, sun damage, and more.
While most commonly used on the face, this laser treatment can also be used on the body. It’s common to use this treatment to reduce the appearance of like veins, such as spider veins on the thighs and calves. You can also use this laser treatment to eliminate angiomas on other areas of the body, such as the chest, shoulders, and stomach.
How Many Treatments Will You Need?
Like any laser treatment, you will require multiple treatment sessions with this system to achieve optimal results. Most patients will require at least three to five treatments to improve their superficial skin concerns. These treatment sessions will usually be spaced about four weeks apart to allow adequate time for the skin to heal between appointments.
How Soon Will You See Results?
Most patients will notice some initial improvements in the appearance of their skin about four to six weeks after their first appointment. The results of this treatment will continue to improve with additional appointments as the collagen stimulated by the laser system matures and supports the texture of the skin. As for cellular renewal, it usually takes about 28 to 40 days for skin cells to renew, so patients may not notice improvements in the appearance of dark spots or blemishes until after about one month.
What Should You Do Before Treatment?
Before any laser treatment, it’s important to avoid direct unprotected contact with the sun since this can potentially cause hyperpigmentation concerns after your treatment. Essentially, you will want to avoid any activity that could trigger melanin production, which can include sunbathing, tanning beds, and even self-tanning products for at least two weeks.
You may also want to avoid irritating skincare products such as chemical exfoliants and retinol. If you have had an Accutane treatment within the last 6 months., then you will need to postpone your treatment. It’s also recommended to wait at least two weeks after a chemical peel or deep exfoliation treatment before you have a laser treatment.
What Should You Do After Treatment?
After your treatment, your skin will be vulnerable to the environment and may be prone to moderate dryness for the first week. You should avoid unprotected contact with the sun by wearing adequate SPF when you are outside. You should use gentle lotions to maintain skin moisture, such as Aquaphor or CeraVe. You may also need to temporarily discontinue the use of retinoids and other chemical exfoliants for at least 48 hours after your treatment since these products cause skin dryness.
Renew Your Skin With Laser Genesis
Laser treatments are a highly effective and popular option for patients who want to improve superficial skin concerns. The results of this treatment can last for about six to 12 months for most patients, or longer if patients maintain their results well. Contact Laser Skin Solutions Jacksonville in Jacksonville Beach, FL to schedule your consultation today.
