Laser Therapy

Types of Laser Therapy: 

Laser surgeries are quite common these days. The common surgeries include

1. LASIK or refractive eye surgery
2. Cataract or tumor removal
3. Removal of cosmetic scars, tattoos, and wrinkles. 
4. Teeth whitening procedure

The diverse applications clearly indicate that the procedure uses different lasers for different treatments. For instance, Carbon dioxide lasers can make shallow cuts. That is why doctors use them for treating skin cancer. 

Argon lasers can also make shallow cuts. Hence, the same can activate the photosensitizing drugs during the photodynamic therapies. It is a special type of unique cancer treatment that combines chemotherapy with light to kill more cancerous cells at a single shot. 

Knowledge about Risks of Laser Therapy: 

The risk factors associated with the therapy using lasers depends on the nature of the treatment. If you are undergoing skin therapy, then the common risks include:

• Infection in the superficial or subsequent skin layers
• Bleeding
• Permanent scarring
• Visible changes in the skin color
• Pain

If the intended impact is not permanent, then you may have to undergo repeated sessions of therapy. To undergo some of the laser surgeries, you may need general anesthesia. And anesthesia has its own set of risks all the time. Otherwise, the common risks, in this case, will include

• Heart attack
• Sudden strokes
• Pneumonia
• Mental blurriness and confusion

Benefits of Laser Therapy:

Now that you know what the therapy does, it is vital to learn more about the myriad ways in which it can help. 

• Improves vision: Vision impairment is common with aging. Treatment through lasers has been effective in treating vision problems. Laser eye surgeries have helped many in improving vision and restoring both reading vision and distance vision.
• Treatment of hair loss: Laser therapies release photons, and the weak cells in the scalp tissue absorb the photons. It encourages the growth of new hair. The process is safe, less invasive, and tolerable to all age groups.
• Pain relief: bradykinin is a chemical that triggers the feeling of pain, firing any injury. As the chemical enhances nervous sensitivity, it makes the pain unbearable. Therapy using laser normalizes the ion channels. It also decreases the chemicals along with stimulating the production of endorphins or natural pain relievers. 
• Swelling reduction: increase in blood circulation is an imminent impact of laser-related therapies that improve the lymphatic system. It will enhance drainage of toxic products, thus providing a faster reduction of swelling.
• Removing warts, moles, and acne: Skin rejuvenation is perhaps one of the most popular benefits of laser-based procedures. It can remove all unwanted marks and structures. 

Who Shouldn't have Laser Therapy: 

If you consider laser surgeries or skin surgeries, it is your decision to undergo the treatments. But you should also try to keep in mind that the surgery can aggravate some pre-existing skin problems that can increase potential risks. If your overall health condition is poor, it will also negatively impact the surgery. 

It is important to consult the doctor before deciding to undergo the therapy. The three chief factors determining the success rate of the procedure include

• Age
• Overall health
• Healthcare plan

How to Prepare for Laser Therapy: 

Although the procedure is safe, you will need some basic preparations before undergoing the therapy. The common preparations include

• Plan ahead to provide enough time for recovery after the surgery.
• Arrange for people who can assist you back home after the procedure. You may still be under the influence of general anesthesia. 
• Consult the physician to ensure stopping the regular medications at the right time before the treatment. It will otherwise affect the blood clotting, especially when the medicines contain blood thinners. 

Recovery: What happens after laser-therapy: 

The recovery phase is similar to the regular recovery period after the surgeries. You may need to rest for a few days depending on the nature of the surgery. Over-the-counter pain medication is also common in prescriptions. It is essential to continue the medicines until the swelling reduces. 

The impact on the body will determine the recovery time. You should always follow the instructions of the doctor to get well soon. For instance, in the case of prostate surgery, you have to wear a urinary catheter. It will aid in urinating just after the procedure. In the case of skin-related treatment, it is common to experience itching, swelling, and soreness around the treated part.