Laser Treatment for Wrinkles

Looking for a treatment that’ll deliver better anti-aging results than your skincare routine, but without forcing you into weeks of recovery? A laser treatment for wrinkles might be exactly what you need. Figuring out the best wrinkle treatment option can be tough, as you have to navigate different technologies and price points.

In this post, we’ll explain how lasers work to treat wrinkles, what the main types of lasers are, and how you can choose the best option for you.

Understanding Wrinkles

Wrinkles are the folds or fine lines that form on the surface of the skin as a result of the overall aging process.

As we get older, the skin’s ability to regenerate slows down. In particular, it slows down the production of its two main structural proteins: collagen and elastin. Without these protein fibers acting as a scaffold, the skin becomes looser.

Beyond that, loss of facial fat, muscle tissue, and even facial bone mass causes the skin to lose more support, also contributing to wrinkles and loss of skin tightness.

Additionally, there are external factors that accelerate the formation of wrinkles by damaging the skin. Sun exposure is the major contributor, but smoking, pollution, and even diet and lifestyle play a part.

How Laser Treatments for Wrinkles Work

During a treatment, the laser emits light that penetrates the skin. The depth of penetration depends on the laser’s wavelength. The light is absorbed by water, melanin, and other light-attracting materials in the skin, which then convert it into heat. It’s through this targeted heating that the laser can remodel and transform the skin.

Non-Ablative Laser Treatment for Wrinkles

Non-ablative laser treatments target the skin to prevent and reduce wrinkles at the source. They work through a process known as collagen induction. The Nd:YAG laser is commonly used for this treatment, with other types including pulsed dye lasers or Erbium glass lasers.

The skin produces collagen and elastin (the proteins that keep the skin tight and firm) in the base of the dermis. With a laser treatment for wrinkles, the light penetrates to the dermis, where heat stimulates the cells that produce collagen and elastin.

In the days and weeks after a laser treatment, the skin ramps up its production of those proteins, which results in visibly smoother and firmer skin. Depending on the treatment intensity, it may take a few sessions to see a noticeable reduction in wrinkles.

Ablative Laser Treatments

Ablative laser treatments that work by removing layers of the epidermis.. They are commonly performed with CO2 or Er:YAG lasers.

These treatments can range greatly in intensity, from highly ablative treatments that remove layers of the epidermis to lightly exfoliating ones. Some ablative treatments stimulate the dermis at the same time.

The benefit of ablative laser treatments is that they actively create damage from top to bottom, triggering a very high level of skin renewal. It often takes the skin several weeks to heal and recover, but in the end, the results are often equal to what you’ll see after several non-ablative laser treatments.

Choosing The Best Laser Treatment for Wrinkles

There are dozens of different laser technologies that can be used to reduce wrinkles. We already touched on the two main categories, ablative and non-ablative lasers.

There are also laser modalities that combine multiple wavelengths, and fractional lasers that break up the light into multiple, microscopic beams. Both categories can be used for both ablative and non-ablative treatments.

When deciding on the best laser treatment for wrinkles, consider your own preferences and skin needs. Here are a few questions you may want to ask yourself:

Do I want a gentle treatment or fast results? 

As is often the case with aesthetic treatments, gentler treatments often require consistency and repetition to achieve the same results as a single but intensive treatment. The trade-off is that these treatments can put you out of commission for several weeks, and there is a greater risk of complications.

How much money am I willing to spend? 

Cost is another big factor. Ablative or fractional laser treatments are often much more expensive than traditional non-ablative treatments.

The best wrinkle treatment in our view: 

At SEV, we take a slow-and-steady approach. Our Laser Facial treatment is carried out with the Nd:YAG laser to deliver a gentle and affordable wrinkle treatment. It works on the dermal level to stimulate collagen without downtime and few side effects. It’s a wonderful choice for all skin tones, and it only takes 15 minutes, so it fits seamlessly into most schedules.

What Kind of Wrinkles Do Lasers Treat?

Lasers effectively treat mild to moderate wrinkles that have become more etched in the skin, especially those caused primarily by photodamage. This is because lasers work by treating the dermis or epidermis, but they don’t impact the underlying structures that also play a role in wrinkle formation, like muscles, fat, and bones.

If you’re dealing with deep expression wrinkles, you may see better results with neuromodulators like Botox, while wrinkles caused by volume loss are often best treated with dermal filler injections.

Do Laser Treatments for Wrinkles Hurt?

Some wrinkle laser treatments don’t hurt at all. Others can be quite painful and maybe even require the use of numbing creams. It largely depends on the laser’s intensity and level of ablation (i.e., removal of the top layer of skin).

If you’re after a gentle option, Nd:YAG is the best laser treatment as it creates a bit of heat but no pain. If you don’t mind pain or post-treatment tenderness and itching, more intense laser treatments may give you faster results.

How Many Laser Treatments Are Needed for Wrinkles?

The number of sessions needed largely depends on the type of laser treatment you choose, as well as the severity of your wrinkles.

You may only take 1-3 sessions with a more intensive facial laser treatment for wrinkles. A gentler laser treatment like the Nd:YAG may require upward of 7 sessions, but as there is no downtime, getting this type of treatment regularly will be significantly less disruptive to your life.

Laser Treatment Side Effects

The most common laser treatment side effects are mild redness, plumpness, and warmth. With more intensive treatments, the side effects can be more intense as well. In particular, ablative treatments can cause significant redness and discomfort in the short term, and may even include some scabbing in the long term.

How Much Do Laser Treatments for Wrinkles Cost?

Laser treatments for wrinkles can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Gentle, non-ablative treatments are usually more affordable, while more intensive treatments cost more. 

At SEV, we believe in keeping our prices as accessible as possible, so our Laser Facial starts at just $199, with opportunities to save more with a Laser Facial package or membership. 

What Areas Do Laser Wrinkle Treatments Target?

Laser facials can target wrinkles in any area that can be treated safely.

Our clients are often most interested in laser treatments for forehead wrinkles. Laser can soften fine lines in the forehead effectively, but it’s less useful for deep folds or wrinkles that only form when you lift your eyebrows — if you’re dealing with the latter, consider Botox for forehead wrinkles instead.

Laser treatments can also soften wrinkles in other parts of the face, including around the mouth or between the brows, as long as the wrinkles are static (i.e., etched in the skin) and not dynamic (i.e., caused by underlying muscle tension or movement).

You may want to be careful if you’re seeking a laser treatment for undereye wrinkles. There is a risk of eye injury if a laser treatment is performed too close to the eyes. Speak to a medical provider first, and consider other types of eye rejuvenation procedures like RF microneedling or undereye dermal filler.

Beyond the face, you can also get laser treatments for neck wrinkles or to treat signs of aging in the hands, neck, or chest. The results can be just as rejuvenating as for the face!

Get the SEV Laser Facial for Wrinkles

If you’d like to experience a gentle laser treatment for wrinkles, without discomfort or downtime, we invite you to book a Laser Facial at your nearest SEV location. Your first session is on us.

Our non-ablative laser treatment uses an Nd:YAG laser to stimulate collagen production deep within the dermis. This treatment combats fine lines and wrinkles while also refining skin texture and fading redness or hyperpigmentation.

To book your first Laser Facial for free, visit our booking site and use code HELLOGLOW at checkout.