Beauty at The Speed of Light
October 27, 2005

Patients now demand the 'natural' look. Recent advances in cosmetic and laser surgery have not just been about new techniques but also a refinement in how those techniques are used. Gone are the days when patients are willing to put up with months of redness for better skin. Public demand has driven improvements in skin treatments, as ladies covet the fresh-faced, “naturally” flawless look without having to pay the price of a long recovery time. Out Deep Chemical Peels. In Gentle Laser Peels.

A complete skin makeover, Laser Peels is now touted as the latest breakthrough in skin rejuvenation.

“This completely new approach to skin rejuvenation resurfaces and replenishes the skin at the same time.” Explains Dr Low Chai Ling, medical director of The Sloane Clinic in Singapore. “It uses gentle yet deep penetrating laser energy to exfoliate the tough and damaged outer layer of dead skin cells, revealing younger, softer, and fairer skin underneath.”

Laser Peel is a gentle laser treatment developed by The Sloane Clinic to non-surgically rejuvenate the skin and facial structure by using a fast shower of laser light. This gentle spray of laser energies penetrates into the pores and the deeper dermis to induce collagen formation and stimulate dermal proteins to improve the appearance of the skin. Patients proudly announce a reduction in pore size, brightening and whitening of their skin and improvement in their acne after a series of 3-6 sessions.

"We used to do a lot of chemical peels at our clinic but now most of our patients ask for laser peels because they feel it is gentler on their skin and it helps minimize their pores so much more." says Dr Low.
One reason why many patients are beginning to warm to laser peels could be because they do not have to put up with the downtime of conventional laser or deep chemical peel treatments. Another plus point for those of us who are not fanatical beauty junkies is the low risk of side effects and complications. Patients do not have to worry about avoiding the sun or applying expensive aftercare after treatments so fitting a laser peel into a busy lifestyle is just a little simpler. According to Dr Low, Laser Peels are mini-procedures that can be fitted in during your lunch break.

“I used to have chemical peels done but they usually left my face quite red for at least a week. Now with laser peels, I am able to go back to work the next day and nobody really knows I have had anything done at all.” Says Anne, a 29 year old architect and laser peel advocate.
“What I really notice is the reduction in pore size and how my skin looks more dewy and fresh after each treatment. Now I am doing this monthly in place of my facials.”

Many patients who have converted to laser peels say that it is the next ‘in’ thing for skincare. Expect to find improvements in pore size, skin discolouration, skin texture and elasticity as well as acne if you are up for a laser peel session. The downside to all this? Laser Peels do cost more than simple chemical peels but patients we have spoken to have not had any regrets so far.

"It's like a good pair of gucci shoes. You pay for quality. Besides, taking care of your skin is always a good investment."

Finally for those who conjure up images of excrucitaing pain at the word 'laser', relax. Most patients find the treatment comfortable and fast. Laser Peel's gentle spray of laser energy feels like ‘pins and needles’ on the skin. There are others who report the sensation as warm ‘crackles’ on the skin.

So for those of us who are keen to have a ‘naturally’ glowing complexion, Laser Peels could just be the answer to our skin woes.