What Is a Laser Facial?

If your skin looks dull, uneven, blotchy, or simply less smooth than it used to, a laser facial may be one way to refresh your complexion without surgery or significant downtime. These treatments use focused light or laser energy to target common concerns such as redness, sun damage, pigmentation, uneven texture, and early signs of aging while encouraging a clearer, more even-looking complexion. 

At Stalder Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Mark W. Stalder and our dedicated aesthetic team offer treatments such as Laser Genesis, Lumenis UltraPulse® fractional CO2 laser resurfacing, and IPL photofacials, each of which can be customized around different skin concerns and goals in New Orleans. 

Although IPL technically uses intense, pulsed light rather than a true laser, it is often grouped with laser facial treatments because of the way it can improve visible discoloration and redness. A closer look at how these treatments work can help you understand what a laser facial may be able to do for your skin. 

 

Where do I start with professional facial treatments?  

If you are new to professional skin treatments, the number of options can feel a little overwhelming. One of the best places to start is usually with a skin evaluation focused on what you want to improve, whether that is redness, brown spots, uneven tone, rough texture, fine lines, or a generally tired-looking complexion. 

Our aesthetic team can also consider your skin type, sensitivity, sun exposure, current skin care routine, and how much downtime you are comfortable with. From there, it becomes easier to narrow down whether a light-based treatment such as IPL, a laser treatment such as CO2 laser resurfacing or Laser Genesis, or another facial option can make the most sense for your goals. 

 

What does a laser facial do for your skin? 

Laser facials are designed to improve the appearance and quality of the skin by delivering controlled energy to targeted areas. Depending on the treatment, that energy may address pigment, visible blood vessels, redness, collagen loss, or uneven texture while leaving surrounding tissue largely intact. Potential benefits of laser skin treatment may include:  

• Brighter, more even-looking skin tone 
• Reduced appearance of sun spots and discoloration 
• Softer redness and visible facial vessels 
• Smoother skin texture 
• Improvement in fine lines and early signs of aging 
• A fresher, more radiant overall complexion 

Some treatments work by primarily targeting visible pigment or redness, while others focus more on stimulating collagen and improving texture over time. That is why the phrase "laser facial" can describe treatments that produce somewhat different effects even though they share the goal of skin rejuvenation. 

 

Is IPL considered a laser facial? 

IPL is often discussed alongside laser facials, but technically it is not a laser. IPL stands for intense pulsed light, and the device delivers a broad range of light wavelengths rather than the single, focused wavelength used by a true laser. Laser Genesis, by contrast, uses laser energy to gently heat the skin and stimulate collagen. Both can fall under the broader category of energy-based facial treatments, which is why they are frequently grouped together in aesthetic skin care. 

Another type of laser facial skin treatment, CO2 laser resurfacing, uses pulsating beams of energy to exfoliate layers of damaged skin cells. Often referred to as a laser peel vs. laser facial, CO2 laser skin resurfacing helps correct facial wrinkles and lines, pigmentation, acne scars, and other common complexion issues. 

 

How long do laser skin treatment results last? 

Results can last for months or longer, but the timeline depends on the treatment, the concern being addressed, and how your skin continues to age and respond to sun exposure. Pigmentation or redness that improves after treatment can gradually return if new sun damage develops, while collagen-related improvements may soften over time as the natural aging process continues. 

A consistent skincare routine, daily sun protection, and periodic maintenance treatments can all help preserve your results. Some patients also benefit from a series of treatments initially, followed by occasional touch-ups to keep their complexion looking clear, smooth, and refreshed. 

 

Put your best face forward with laser skin treatments in New Orleans 

Whether you are hoping to brighten sun-damaged skin, soften redness, improve texture, or simply give your complexion a more polished look, the right energy-based treatment can be tailored around your skin and goals. Contact our friendly team at Stalder Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Mark W. Stalder and explore Laser Genesis, CO2 laser peels, IPL photofacials, and other laser facial treatments in New Orleans.