On a scale of painless to unbearable, laser treatments are going to be classified asThey’re inducing heat in the skin, which isn’t necessarily a pleasant experience. Think: prickly, rubber band snapping mixed with a bad sunburn. “For many of these treatments, a topical numbing cream is sufficient to control the pain during the procedure,” says Dr. Portela. “For the more aggressive treatments, injections of numbing medication like lidocaine may be needed to adequately control pain.
As always, your doctor should run through all the risks associated with the treatment and be able to answer any personalized questions. Unfortunately, laser treatments aren’t going to be covered by insurance, so you’ll have to pay out of pocket. Of course, prices are going to vary based on location, but you're likely looking at $1,000 or more when all is said and done.
While there’s no age cap on a laser treatment, both doctors recommend waiting until the later teen years. “The aftercare will vary depending on the type of laser used,” says Dr. Portela. “Ultimately you should always follow the instructions given to you by the clinic following the treatment.” His advice? Stop using any active ingredients and adopt a basic, hydrating routine complete with a gentle cleanser and hypoallergenic cream-based moisturizer.
Regardless of the laser treatment you received, you’ll want to apply an SPF every morning. “Sun avoidance is mandatory for a couple of months too to lessen hyperpigmentation from the treatment,” adds Dr. Goldberg. Dustin Portela, DO, is a Board Certified Dermatologist and Dermatologic Surgeon. He is certified through the American Board of Dermatology, the largest national group of board certified dermatologists. Dr. Portela is an Idaho native having grown up in Southeast Idaho.
Dr. Goldberg earned his medical degree from Yale University. He completed his dermatology residency and dermatologic surgical fellowship at New York University Medical Center. He is a clinical professor and former director of Mohs Surgery and Laser Research in the department of Dermatology at New York’s Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Goldberg has published over 160 academic papers and has contributed to over 15 academic textbooks.