Booking an Aesthetic Laser Treatment? Top 5 Secrets You Need to Know

At Tannan Plastic Surgery, we love a good skincare product. We also love what the right aesthetic laser treatment can do for your skin. Before you book the treatment your friend is obsessed with, let’s have a conversation first.

Our team includes board-certified plastic surgeon, Doctor Shruti Tannan, and an expert nurse injector. Aesthetic medicine is what we do. One of the most important parts of our job is helping you understand:

• What conditions we are treating
• Why we recommend (or don’t recommend!) a particular laser or treatment plan
• What to expect during recovery

Don’t just “go get a laser treatment” because your friend did and her skin is glowing. See us because you want better, healthier skin.

Whether your concern is prejuvenation, prevention, treating sun damage, fine lines, acne scars, uneven texture, or changes in skin tone, the right treatment depends on your skin, your goals, and your lifestyle. We have some inside tips for you today. Here are five key things you need to know before getting an aesthetic laser treatment.

We all have that friend who tries something, loves it, and convinces the whole group chat they need it too. With laser treatments, slow that enthusiasm down a little.

Lasers can improve concerns such as:

• Uneven skin texture
• Fine lines
• Sun damage
• Pigmentation
• Acne scars

But no single laser is right for everyone. A friend who tans 3 shades darker in the summer would be treated differently than a friend who burns every time she plays tennis or pickleball.

There are two main types of laser treatments:

Ablative: Intentionally removes targeted layers of skin.
Nonablative: Heats the underlying tissue without removing the skin’s surface.

Both can stimulate collagen remodeling, but they differ in intensity, recovery time, and the concerns they treat best.

When choosing an aesthetic laser treatment, these all matter:

Skin tone (where you are on the Fitzpatrick Scale)
Medical history
Current skincare routine
Sun exposure
Previous treatments
Your goals

We want to know what bothers you when you look in the mirror. We personalize your treatment plan from there.

A sophisticated laser is only part of the equation. The person operating it matters too. Before an aesthetic laser treatment, ask about your provider’s:

• Training
• Experience with the specific device
• How often they perform the treatment
• Experience treating your skin tone and concern

Some laser treatments carry different risks for different skin tones, including pigmentation changes. Your provider should understand those risks and know how to choose the right settings and preparation.

A few questions to ask your provider before getting started with aesthetic laser treatment:

• Why do you recommend this treatment for my skin?
• What improvement can I realistically expect?
• How many treatments might I need to reach my goals?
• What complications can occur?
• How do you manage those complications if they happen?
• Whom do I contact if I have a concern after hours?

You’re asking someone to treat your face, often with a powerful medical device. You should feel comfortable asking questions before you say yes.

Your laser consultation isn’t just about the appointment itself. What you’ve been doing to your skin beforehand matters too. Always tell your provider about:

• Medications and supplements
• Skincare products
• GLP use and/or recent weight loss
• Recent sun exposure
• History of cold sores
• Past problems with healing or pigmentation

These details can affect whether you’re ready, what preparation you need, or whether we should postpone.

One important reminder

Never stop a prescribed medication on your own. If a medication could affect your treatment, your provider can work with the prescribing clinician to decide whether anything needs to change.

A fresh tan or sunburn may also mean delaying treatment. We would much rather move your appointment than rush your skin into a treatment it isn’t ready for.

“Laser treatment” can mean very different things. Depending on the device and intensity, you may experience:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Sensitivity
• Peeling
• A rough, sandpaper-like texture

More intensive resurfacing can mean more downtime and a longer recovery. Potential risks include infection, pigment changes, prolonged redness, and scarring.

That’s why we talk about recovery before we talk about scheduling. And “downtime” means different things to different people. Working from home without makeup is one thing. Standing in your daughter’s wedding photos is another. Tell us if you have:

A vacation

A wedding or important event

A work presentation

A week when you simply need to look your best

Your calendar is a critical part of your treatment plan.

One of the biggest mistakes we see is expecting final results right away. An aesthetic laser treatment triggers collagen remodeling and other gradual changes in the skin. Depending on the treatment, you may need a series of sessions, and improvements can keep developing for weeks or months.

Your job doesn’t end when you leave the office:

• Follow your provider’s aftercare instructions carefully.
• Don’t pick, scrub, or exfoliate peeling skin unless you’ve been told it’s safe.
• Protect your skin from the sun. Not just in the summer. All. Year. Long. Once your provider clears SPF for your healing skin, make broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher part of your daily routine. Ongoing UV exposure can contribute to pigmentation and sun damage and work against the results you’re trying to achieve.

And please don’t judge your final results by your bathroom mirror on day three. Your skin still has work to do.

Cooler months, when the sun isn’t a constant, is an ideal time for laser treatments. Ready to get your glow-up? Call Tannan Plastic Surgery at (919) 797-0996 to schedule your aesthetic laser treatment consultation.

Contributed by Sidnie, Nurse Injector