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Saying no to Tox!

These new laser treatments are ‘Notox’ and can even be performed at home

Over the years, Botox treatments have seen a dip. With stars like Kate Winslet, Meryl Streep and Russell Crowe announcing that they would never opt for skin lifts through Botox, non-invasive peels, lasers and serums have gained momentum. While all these come under the now popular term of ‘Notox,’ there are only a handful of treatments which are genuinely without toxic side effects.

The current ‘Notox’ solution is laser treatments. However, with advancement in medical technology, trips to the doctors are a thing of the past. At-home hair removal lasers are becoming increasingly popular — the technology which many doctors use to treat acne, wrinkles and fine lines will soon be available to everyone.

Laser technologies use radio frequency waves to stimulate collagen growth in your skin. The treatment works by generating a concentrated and penetrating stream of pulsed bright light that can be controlled and strategically directed over the skin. Resurfacing the skin with lasers can work the best depending on the type of laser used. Among the types of laser therapy, an ablative laser is one which vaporises and removes deep wrinkling and scars from the surface of the skin and penetrates deeper into skin tissues, reorganising and stimulating production of collagen and elastin fibers in the process.

Laser treatment to remove stretch marks is another aspect that is growing in popularity — both for men and women. To do away with stretch marks, laser for surface scarring is the best treatment. But you also have to treat the deeper dermal layer which has been stretched, damaged and has lost its strength and elasticity. That is where the laser machines come in. They are easy to handle and tighten the underneath sheath of the skin. It is mostly preferred by women who are going to have breast implants and are conscious of their appearance, and so would be likely to do something about their stretch marks in the area.

But what are the implications of a sustained and self-administered laser treatment on a person’s health? Researchers have found that the biggest risk is potentially to the practitioners who perform these procedures and are exposed to the plumes frequently. It is important to note that this danger is rather minimised when the treatment is done by oneself. There is no such study which has been able to directly establish cancer or other illnesses with laser hair removal or resurfacing at this point, but it is something that the industry is just beginning to discuss.

Although considered as safe, it is nonetheless a medical procedure. Before getting laser beauty treatment (whether at home or in a clinic), it is advisable to check with a doctor about the details of performing the procedure. Laser therapy does not involve medication. So do your research and opt for the Notox alternative!

— The writer is a cosmetic surgeon

( Source : dc )
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