Your Friendly Guide to Aesthetic Lasers

The public has learned that cold months, when we are typically indoors and out of the sun is a good time for a laser treatment.  Every winter, we receive many calls asking if we “use lasers” or have a particular “laser” that they have heard is “really good” or the “latest thing”.    While we can answer “yes” to the above, we still need to know more about you.

How to Know Which Laser Treatment Is Right for You?

We need to begin with more questions. What are your concerns?  What symptoms do you have? Would you like to schedule a complimentary consultation?  We need to see you, assess your skin type, its condition, and suggest which treatment or combined therapy is best to meet your goals.  Why?  Not all lasers are created equal.  There is no one laser or energy-based device that will treat every aesthetic concern.  In fact, mention lasers and it suddenly seems overwhelming…lots of terms, brand names, and lots of big promises for specific outcomes.

Let’s break it down and simplify it. Let’s begin with the definition. The word  “Laser “ is actually an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. In other words, a laser is a beam of light that uses different wavelengths to target a specific element of or beneath your skin.  These targets or “chromophores” can be water in the tissue, pigment in the skin, hair follicles, scars, wrinkles, or hemoglobin to treat blood vessels and vascularity.

In Aesthetics, We Use the Following Terms for Lasers:

• Ablative: Undertakes strong resurfacing by removing the outer layers of the skin to smooth and tighten.  The procedure requires a longer downtime but produces more dramatic results.
• Non-ablative:  Gentle heating of the skin beneath the surface without harming the outer layers.  This laser boosts collagen production and requires little downtime. 
• Fractional:  This laser targets microcolumns beneath the skin surface to stimulate collagen. It improves texture, scars, and minor wrinkles. 
• Vascular and pigment lasers: They target hemoglobin to treat rosacea, broken capillaries, redness, port wine stains, and other pigmentation issues.  
• Hair removal lasers:  Diode lasers, Alexandrite lasers, and YAG lasers. These lasers target the hair follicle by reading the difference between skin and hair color. If the two are too similar, the patient is not a candidate.  The texture of the hair is also a factor. The type of hair removal laser is chosen for the specific patient. Diode is versatile and works with most skin tones and hair colors.
  • Alexandrite:  Most effective for lighter skin tones with dark hair.
  • Nd; YAG: Safest for darker skin tones and vascular concerns. Also, a pain-free procedure.
• IPL: Technically not a laser, but an Interval Pulsed Light device that is used much like a laser. Treats sun damage, age-related brown spots, and red discoloration in the skin.  
• Energy-based treatments are usually offered in conjunction with the use of lasers. They utilize radio frequency microneedling with gentle heating to stimulate collagen from within, tighten, and tone.

Choosing the Right Laser Technology for Your Skin

Now that types of lasers have been discussed, let’s talk about the brands we use and why we chose to offer them to you. Some are household names, and others are known best to those of us who use them. At Southeast Sculpting, we have endeavored to choose wisely and purchase the lasers we consider to be “best in class”.

CO2 Laser and Deka Pulse

Our primary CO2 laser is Cartessa’s Helix platform, which is a hybrid (ablative/non-ablative) laser allowing the machine to be used in one of three different ways.  There is a Deka pulse for a more robust treatment with longer downtime, but a more significant change to the CoolPeel, producing gentler resurfacing.   The two can likewise be blended to your individual needs. Helix addresses tone, texture, fine lines, deep wrinkles, crepey skin, acne scars, and stretch marks on the face, neck, decollete, hands, arms, etc.

Advanced Hair Removal Laser Technologies

We employ one of two lasers for hair removal. Motus AZ+ is an Alexandrite + Nd: YAG device with Moveo pain-free technology.  Suitable for most skin types, this machine also addresses pigmented lesions and vascular lesions. The second machine is the Optimas Diolaze, a Diode laser which serves best on the most difficult cases.

IPL Treatments

Our IPL device is the Optimas Lumecca. It addresses sun damage, age spots, redness, and brightness all over the body.

Morpheus8

As mentioned earlier, Morpheus8 is not a laser but is often used in conjunction with one.  The Morpheus8  procedure is radiofrequency microneedling to stimulate collagen growth, tighten, and tone.  It is both a standalone treatment and a CO2 treatment for outstanding outcomes.

The Everesse

Last but not least is our newest, the Everesse. While not a laser, it is often used in conjunction with one and produces similar results.   Everesse is a platform on the cutting edge; it delivers transformational, almost instantaneous results with a non-invasive, pain-free approach to lifting, tightening, and contouring.  Everesse uses a monopolar radiofrequency technology to deliver a high-frequency current into the skin, generating heat in the dermal layers of the skin that then stimulates collagen remodeling and firmness over time. We believe this treatment to be a 2026 trendsetter.

Claim your New Year’s new you by calling Southeast Sculpting at 803-396-2727 to schedule your consultation.  Learn what’s possible to achieve the results you want. Book your consultation here!