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The Definitive Guide to Laser Skin Treatments

Lasers are some of the most powerful and versatile tools in skin treatment. They can ageing skin, fade stubborn hyperpigmentation, calm the redness of and soften scars. However, laser is not a single treatment. It is a whole family of very different devices, each tuned to target something specific in the skin. the wrong one, or the wrong settings, can do real harm, in darker skin tones. This guide explains the main types of laser used for skin, what each one treats and what to expect. We pay to the special cases that need real caution, namely skin of colour, and .


Please note, we are an online skin clinic so do not offer laser treatments. We have this guide we people deserve clear, honest about all of their options.

How Do Lasers Work on Skin?

A laser produces a single, wavelength of light. The skin contains several that absorb light, and HRT Overview each target absorbs some wavelengths more than others. The three main targets are:


The art of laser treatment is matching the wavelength to the target you want to hit whilst sparing around it. This is why there are so many types of lasers for skin treatment. A device tuned to treats redness and visible . One tuned to melanin treats hyperpigmentation whereas one tuned to water or heats the skin to it. Get the match right and the result can be excellent. If it is the wrong type, or you use too much energy, the laser heats the wrong target. This is how burns, scarring and pigment problems happen. The of to target also why skin colour matters so much in terms of effectiveness and safety. We will we come back to this later.

What are the Main Types of Laser for Skin?

Lasers for skin fall into a few broad groups based on what they target. It helps to know the named devices in each group, as clinics often market by brand rather than by laser type. The main categories of laser available for skin are:


A related device worth mentioning is which is very popular for skin treatment. However, IPL is not a laser, because it emits a broad of light rather than a single wavelength. light (BBL) is also another more version of the same idea. Clinics use these for redness, sun damage and hyperpigmentation. We cover them in detail in our post on .

What Do Lasers Treat?

Because different lasers hit different targets, the family as a whole covers a wide range of concerns. The main uses, and the lasers typically used for each, are:

Are Lasers Safe for Skin of Colour?

Lasers can be used safely in darker skin, but the risks are far higher, and the wrong device can cause lasting damage. The reason is that darker skin has more in the epidermis, and many lasers are absorbed by melanin. So in darker skin the laser energy is absorbed by the whole surface rather than just the intended target. This can cause burns, and even loss of pigment.


A few principles make laser safer in skin of colour. The . This is because melanin absorbs this longer the least, so the beam passes the surface and reaches its target more safely. lasers are also as a safer option, because their very short pulses cause less heat damage. By contrast, , because its broad spectrum is absorbed by surface and the risk of burns and pigment problems is high.


Another important factor is the person holding the device. Treating darker skin safely takes and experience, and careful . If you have skin of colour and are considering laser, choose a practitioner who is experienced in and commonly treats skin like yours. Our posts on and covers this and other tips in more detail.

Can Lasers Treat Melasma?

its own warning, because it is the condition where lasers most often make things worse. This is because is a chronic, relapsing form of driven by hormones, heat and UV light. Lasers can fade the pigment, but they also generate heat. Unfortunately heat is one of the things that drives melasma in the first place.


This is why lasers are a second-line or third-line treatment for melasma, never the first move. . Where practitioners do use laser, current practice favours a cautious, approach. The , is the most option. However, it works best with other treatments rather than alone. For most people, is better first with prescription treatment and strict sun protection. Actives like , and can help fade pigment. Strict sun protection with containing broad like can help block the light that . For more detail on this condition our posts on and .

Are Lasers Good for Rosacea?

Here the news is more positive. is one area where lasers are genuinely a first-rate treatment, specifically for the redness and visible . Vascular lasers target the in blood vessels, which lets them reduce the flushing, the redness and the that topical treatments cannot touch. The are the main devices used.


It is worth being clear about what laser can and cannot do for . Laser skin treatment works well for the (the redness and vessels). It does little for the spots and bumps of rosacea, which still need . This is why laser is best thought of as one part of a plan rather than a cure. Most people still need topical or oral treatment to the inflammatory side, with ingredients like and . Our guide to the covers how these fit together and our post on helps tell them apart.

Can Lasers Treat Acne?

For active acne, the evidence is lasers can help but the effect is more modest than for medical treatment. Light and (where a light-sensitising agent is applied first) can help target the bacteria and calm inflammation. More recently, a new class of laser has taken a different approach by targeting the oil glands . The for inflammatory acne. They work by selectively and the glands. In a , around 87% at least a 50% in inflammatory lesions by 26 weeks. The results also held across all skin types making this a potentially promising option for people who cannot or do not want .


That said, laser does not acne treatment. The medical treatments target the causes of acne directly, and they are cheaper, better evidenced and what guidelines reach for first. , , antibiotics and hormonal like remain . Laser is best seen as an option for resistant cases who do not wish to start or for people who cannot use the usual treatments.


Where lasers shine is in their use. They are one of the best treatments for , with lasers improving the texture of pitted scars and vascular lasers fading the of . For most people, the sensible order is to clear the acne first with medical treatment, then address any or marks once breakouts are under control.

Is Laser Treatment Safe?

Done by an on the right candidate, lasers are generally safe. The risks come from the wrong device, the wrong settings or the wrong patient. Common side effects of laser are:


Laser is not suitable for everyone, and some are clear contraindications or call for real . You should avoid laser, or proceed only with advice, if you:


makes a real to both safety and results. In the weeks before treatment, the usual advice is to use a daily , avoid sun exposure and self-tan, and stop any irritating actives like retinoids or for a few days as . In darker skin, a may also start a pigment-suppressing treatment like beforehand to lower the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. After treatment, strict sun and gentle skincare are essential whilst the skin .

What Results Can You Expect from Laser Treatment?

Laser results depend on the device, the and the skill of the operator, but some general hold. Several sessions are usually needed, not one. Non-ablative and vascular treatments in particular work gradually over a course spaced weeks apart. Ablative gives more dramatic results in fewer sessions, but with significant downtime and weeks of redness as the skin heals.


Results are also rarely permanent, because the skin keeps ageing and the original remain. Sun damage and hyperpigmentation can return with further UV exposure. Rosacea tend to recur over a few years and need maintenance. almost always without ongoing topical and sun . As with any skin treatment, daily is to the result, and it even more after laser because the skin is more vulnerable to UV.

What are the Alternatives to Laser Skin Treatment?

Laser is rarely the only way to treat a given concern, and it is often not the first choice. Depending on what you are treating, the main are:


The right choice depends on your concern, your skin type and your tolerance for . For pigment conditions in particular, a topical-first is often the wisest place to start. Our posts on and the explain why the right depends on getting the diagnosis right first.

What About Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is a different topic and outside the scope of this guide, which is about treating skin . It uses lasers to target the in the hair rather than the skin. The same skin-colour principles apply, as the longer-wavelength Nd:YAG is the safer choice for darker skin. We cover hair removal and related treatments in our blog.

How to Get Laser Treatment in the UK

Laser is not available on the NHS for cosmetic skin . It is available through private and laser clinics which usually charge a set fee per session depending on the size of the treatment area and type of device. It is usually cheaper to buy a course. If you are considering it, the quality and experience of the matter more than anything else, particularly for darker skin or for melasma. Look for a provider who your skin type properly, explains the risks honestly and can show you results in skin like yours. Be wary of anyone offering one device as the answer to every concern.


It is also worth that laser is often not the right first step. Many of the people seek laser for, including melasma, hyperpigmentation, rosacea and early signs of ageing, well to topical treatment. This is a safer, cheaper place to start.



At City Skin Clinic, we do skin using ingredients like , , and where appropriate. Our doctors will design a treatment plan entirely around your skin. You can read more about our custom for , , and , or to start. The journey towards great skin .



This article is for general information and does not constitute advice. Laser treatments should only be carried out by a qualified and experienced practitioner after an assessment. Always seek advice from a medical about your own skin.



Which laser is best for my skin?




Are lasers safe for dark skin?




Can laser cure melasma?




Does laser work for rosacea?




How many laser sessions will I need?




Is laser treatment safe?




Should I try topical treatment before laser?








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