The Truth About Lasers in the Anti-Aging Field
By: Kelly Colby-Nunez
By: Kelly Colby-Nunez
This is a reprint of a published article.
Are you tired of seeing the same old therapies advertised in the anti-aging and medispa scenes?
If you are like me, then you have had some laser work done, only to be disappointed. Every magazine I open up, every medispa, medical office, and spa that I pass are promoting a laser that will erase away the wrinkles, even out your skin tone, reduce the appearance of pores, and give you the Fountain of Youth.
I am a clinical aesthetician, and I can tell you, most of that is hype. My concentration is on exposing what does not work. I also educate people on the long-term risks of many popular therapies, while offering information on natural therapies that do work. I have my concerns with laser; with everything from efficacy, to technical and artistic ability of the one running the laser, to inducing an injury to the skin that causes collagen to form as Scar Tissue. This is known as Unhealthy collagen. When I work with someone, the minute I touch their skin, I can tell if they have had laser treatments. The skin feels very different. Your skin is your largest organ of detoxification, imagine how scar tissue would impede this natural and much needed biological function.
The technology behind lasers is sound in a controlled environment, yet long-term implications are not taken into consideration nor discussed with patients. Very few aestheticians or technicians receive proper laser education, even in doctor's offices. Education ranges from a few hours to a couple of days for a rare few. Because the lasers, burn and traumatize the skin, the targeted pigmentation in skin is often suppressed. Most people find that after their initial treatment of 6 laser sessions, they have to come back every 4-6 months to have the session repeated again.
We have something in our body called a Hayflick limit. Leonard Hayflick discovered this limit in 1965. Hayflick observed that human cells divide about 52 times before dying. As cells approach this limit, they show more signs of old age. The limit is believed to be one of the causes of aging. If the cell turnover can be slowed, life expectancy can be extended. Now this sheds a whole new light on the responsibility of the skin care industry. Lasers blast through the skin and any laser rep will tell you that most of the energy is focused at a specific target, but some of the laser light scatters, affecting other areas not intended. They are also quick to say that this does not mean anything. Well, given the above statement, that does mean something. In the skin care industry we are told that cell turnover slows down as we age and we need to speed it up to have younger looking skin. Cell turnover slows down as a natural protective mechanism that keeps us from aging quicker than we should and ultimately prevents us from meeting an early than expected death. Our cells help create energy for our body so we can sustain life. When our cells cannot function correctly, disease and death of the cell quickly sets in. This reduces quality of your life.
To be fair, lasers have brought about some great results for people that deeply needed resurfacing. My concern is not with the therapeutic uses of laser but the casual use of the lasers being marketed to everyone on every street corner.
Most people are not aware that your skin is only a reflection of what is happening internally. Age spots, sun spots, wrinkles, freckles, small red veins, large pores, and sagging skin is only a result of internal imbalance. This can be reversed by working on the inside of the body by taking a wellness approach to life.
Many people still want a quick fix and there is good news. There is a highly effective, natural skin therapy that comes from Europe and is called Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT). CIT can be thought of as a more natural alternative to lasers and harsh skin care treatments. In many cases, the CIT produces greater results than many popular skin treatments, without causing unnatural cell turn over. This procedure does not involve chemicals, lasers or injecting substances into your skin. There is no down time and no pain associated with this treatment. The secret to this therapy is based on changing the electric charge in each cell of the skin, using an affordable roller type of device known as the Dermaroller. This treatment taps into the very reason why salamanders can re-grow a tail. Imagine what that means for truly regenerating your skin! The CIT procedure is a very affordable and effective means to smooth acne scars, balance out dry or oily skin, create collagen and elastin to reduce wrinkles and sagging skin, and helps to even skin tone and texture. For more information on the Dermaroller procedure please go to http://www.aywellness.com
AY Wellness is a teaching and service oriented company. Kelly has achieved several advanced certifications, belongs to numerous professional organizations, is a wellness and aesthetics trainer, speaker and writer, and donates her time and services to several charities. She is currently working on her new book, “The Power of Simplicity”.
Kelly is available for speaking or teaching venues
