Laser treatment has become a popular tool to treat skin problems and rejuvenate your appearance. It is safe and effective for a wide range of conditions. Before any procedure, your doctor will explain what you can expect and review the risks and benefits with you. Then, you and your doctor will decide if laser treatment is right for you.

In a cosmetic laser treatment, short pulses of light remove damaged tissue to improve the texture of your skin. It also reduces the look of scars, wrinkles, blemishes, redness and sun damage. It can even help your muscles heal after injuries. It is not appropriate for people with epilepsy because the light can trigger a seizure, and pregnant women should avoid laser treatments because it isn’t clear how they might affect fetuses.

Lasers can also be used to treat cancer or other diseases that cause abnormal cells. For example, a carbon dioxide laser can make shallow cuts in tissue to remove small tumors and other growths. An argon laser, which has a lower power and doesn’t burn or destroy tissue, is used to remove eye tumors. A laser can also be used with a drug that makes cancer cells sensitive to light to kill them. This treatment is called photodynamic therapy (PDT).

During laser surgery, your doctor may use an endoscope to guide the laser and view tissues inside the body. For example, a doctor might use it during a colonoscopy to remove polyps or a tumor from the digestive tract. A laser can also seal blood vessels that might bleed during radiation therapy for certain types of cancer.

You might feel a slight stinging sensation during laser treatment, but it usually disappears within a few hours. You may need to apply ointment to the treated area afterward, especially if it is on the face. Your doctor will give you instructions on how often to do this and on other special care for the area. You may need to keep the treated areas covered for 24 to 48 hours.

A new type of laser treatment uses low-level laser 413 Medical Aesthetics energy to stimulate the skin and reduce the signs of aging without heat. It’s a good choice for older adults who are looking to maintain their skin’s health but want to delay the onset of wrinkles and other signs of aging. It’s also a safe option for people with darker skin tones who are worried about burning or damaging their skin with other treatments.

Some researchers are investigating lasers to treat or prevent some side effects of common cancer treatments. For example, a laser treatment might be helpful in treating arm swelling (lymphedema) that can occur after breast cancer surgery. And it might help relieve mouth sores that can occur during chemotherapy.