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What Lasers Actually Do for Your Skin

By TOTAL BODY AESTHETIC  |  January 12, 2024

Author Credit TOTAL BODY AESTHETIC

Laser treatments have become one of the most powerful tools in modern skincare, capable of addressing everything from sun damage and hyperpigmentation to fine lines, acne scars, and uneven texture. But many patients walking into a consultation at Total Body Aesthetic in Westchester, Los Angeles still have the same fundamental question: what exactly does a laser do to your skin, and how does it produce such dramatic results? The answer lies in how light energy interacts with skin tissue at a cellular level, and why the specific laser technology matters just as much as the treatment itself.

How Laser Energy Transforms Skin

At its core, every laser treatment works by delivering concentrated light energy into the skin. Different wavelengths of light are absorbed by different targets in the skin, whether that is melanin (pigment), hemoglobin (redness in blood vessels), or water in the skin cells themselves. When the target absorbs the laser energy, it converts to heat, which either destroys the unwanted pigment, closes off damaged blood vessels, or creates controlled micro-injuries that trigger the body's natural healing and collagen-building response.

This process of controlled thermal injury is what makes lasers so effective. By precisely targeting specific structures without damaging surrounding tissue, modern laser systems can resurface skin, fade discoloration, smooth wrinkles, and tighten lax tissue with minimal downtime. The key is choosing the right laser platform and the right settings for each patient's unique concerns and skin type.

Lumenis IPL: Correcting Sun Damage and Pigmentation

Intense Pulsed Light, or IPL, is one of the most popular and versatile light-based treatments available, and Lumenis is widely recognized as the industry leader in IPL technology. The Lumenis IPL system delivers broad-spectrum light in carefully calibrated pulses that target melanin and hemoglobin in the skin. This makes it exceptionally effective for treating sun spots, age spots, freckles, rosacea, broken capillaries, and overall skin redness.

What sets Lumenis IPL apart from other IPL devices is its advanced cooling system and proprietary light filters, which allow practitioners to treat a wider range of skin tones safely while delivering more energy precisely where it is needed. A typical Lumenis IPL session at Total Body Aesthetic takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Patients may notice a slight darkening of pigmented spots in the days following treatment, which then flakes off naturally to reveal clearer, more even-toned skin beneath. Most patients see significant improvement after a series of three to five treatments spaced about four weeks apart.

For patients in the 90045 area dealing with years of cumulative sun exposure from the Southern California lifestyle, Lumenis IPL is one of the fastest paths to restoring a clear, youthful complexion without any real downtime.

Lumenis ResurFX: Fractional Laser Resurfacing

While IPL excels at pigment and vascular correction, the Lumenis ResurFX takes skin improvement to a deeper level. ResurFX is a non-ablative fractional laser, meaning it delivers thousands of tiny columns of laser energy deep into the dermis to stimulate collagen remodeling without removing the outer layer of skin. This approach triggers a robust healing response that smooths fine lines and wrinkles, improves acne scars, reduces pore size, and tightens skin texture over time.

The term "fractional" means the laser treats only a fraction of the skin's surface in each pass, leaving surrounding tissue intact. This is what allows for faster healing compared to fully ablative lasers while still delivering impressive results. Lumenis ResurFX is particularly well-regarded for its CoolScan technology, which distributes the laser energy in a randomized pattern rather than a sequential grid. This prevents heat buildup in any single area, resulting in greater patient comfort and more uniform results.

At Total Body Aesthetic, we frequently recommend ResurFX for patients who want to address texture, scarring, and early signs of aging without the week-long recovery associated with aggressive ablative resurfacing. Most patients experience mild redness for one to three days and can return to their normal routine quickly. A series of three to five sessions delivers the best cumulative results, with visible improvement continuing for months as new collagen matures.

Combining IPL and ResurFX for Complete Rejuvenation

One of the biggest advantages of having both Lumenis IPL and ResurFX under one roof is the ability to combine them for comprehensive skin rejuvenation. IPL clears the surface-level pigment and redness, while ResurFX works deeper to rebuild collagen and smooth texture. When used together in a treatment plan, patients achieve a level of overall skin quality that neither technology could deliver on its own.

A common approach at our Westchester clinic is to begin with one or two IPL sessions to clear sun damage and even out skin tone, then follow with ResurFX sessions to refine texture and tighten the skin. This combination is especially popular among patients from Playa Vista, Marina del Rey, El Segundo, and Culver City who want to reverse years of aging and sun exposure in a practical, manageable treatment plan.

What to Expect During and After Treatment

Both Lumenis IPL and ResurFX treatments are performed in-office and typically take 20 to 45 minutes depending on the treatment area. For IPL, most patients describe the sensation as a light snap against the skin, similar to a rubber band. ResurFX involves a slightly warmer sensation, but the built-in cooling technology keeps discomfort to a minimum. Numbing cream can be applied beforehand for added comfort.

After IPL, patients may notice mild redness and slight darkening of pigmented spots that flakes off within five to seven days. After ResurFX, expect mild redness and a slightly rough texture for two to three days as the skin heals. Sun protection is essential after both treatments, and we recommend a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily. There is no significant peeling, blistering, or extended downtime with either treatment when performed by an experienced provider.

Why Choose Total Body Aesthetic for Laser Treatments

The results you get from any laser treatment depend heavily on the skill of the practitioner and the quality of the equipment. At Total Body Aesthetic, located at 8610 S Sepulveda Blvd in the 90045 zip code, our clinical team has extensive training on the full Lumenis platform and understands how to customize settings for each patient's skin type, concerns, and goals. We take the time to evaluate your skin thoroughly and build a treatment plan that makes sense for your lifestyle and budget.

Patients from Westchester, Playa Vista, Marina del Rey, Venice, El Segundo, Culver City, Inglewood, Ladera Heights, and throughout the South Bay trust us for laser treatments because we combine world-class technology with personalized care. Whether you are looking to clear stubborn sun damage with Lumenis IPL, smooth fine lines and scars with ResurFX, or combine both for a complete skin transformation, we are here to help you achieve your best skin.