Look Who it Was Random video

Understanding Cosmetic Lasers

1,508 views · Published 28 December 2018 · 1:35 · Indexed 25 September 2026

Channel: The Plastic Surgery Channel · 2018 · Howto & Style

Watch on YouTube

Understanding Cosmetic Lasers. Dr. Jason Cooper details cosmetic laser #treatments, describing the differences between ablative and non-ablative #lasers, and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). 
Ideal for combating some of the earliest signs of aging, a laser treatment can be a critical component of any skin rejuvenation plan. However, the term “laser” has become a bit of a catch-all phrase for a large category of different modalities.


There are ablative lasers, non-ablative lasers and IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light. Each one works in its own unique way. Finding the right one for you is going to depend on the individual needs of your skin, as well as your ability to tolerate downtime. Dr. Jason Cooper of Jupiter, FL walks us through the different types of lasers, as well as the pros and cons of each.

WHAT IS LASER SKIN RESURFACING?
As your body’s largest organ, your skin takes a beating. Lifestyle choices such as time spent in the sun, whether or not you ever smoked, and your diet can all take a toll on your skin. Taking good care of it is not just good for your overall health, but it can also make you look more youthful.

One of the fastest and easiest ways to reverse some of the earliest signs of aging on the face, neck and chest is with laser skin resurfacing. This effective, non-surgical procedure uses energy to improve skin tone and texture issues, such as:

sun spots
redness
age spots
broken blood vessels
fines lines & wrinkles
uneven pigment
CHOOSING THE LASER THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
The key to a successful laser treatment is choosing the one that is right for your individual needs. Oftentimes, patients will come in to Dr. Cooper’s office saying that they have had a laser treatment when, in fact, they have had an IPL treatment. “I think it’s important to differentiate between a laser treatment and an IPL treatment,” says Cooper.

In order to clear up the confusion, Dr. Cooper breaks down the term lasers into three distinct categories:

ablative lasers
non-ablative lasers
IPL
Each one does something unique for your skin. This is why it is vital that you be assessed in person by a board certified plastic surgeon when considering laser skin resurfacing. 

ABLATIVE LASERS: PROS & CONS
Ablative laser treatments, which include the CO2 laser, are the most aggressive of the three categories. They are best for addressing: 

serious sun damage, including brown spots
deeper lines & wrinkles

More from this channel