Laser Skin Rejuvenation

To complement the MASSAGE Magazine article, “Create Beauty with Facelift Massage,” by Nina Howard, in the April 2011 issue. Article summary: In the world of beauty, there are chemical processes, peels, anti-aging facials, machines, injectables and surgery—but facelift massage offers a natural alternative. Facelift massage is a treatment that creates beauty through the massage therapist’s healing hands.

by Louis Silberman

Of all the areas in the health-and-beauty industry, none has seen a greater boom than the field of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. In the last year alone, consumers spent more than $5 billion on 8 million treatments in the pursuit of looking more youthful and refreshed.

This growth is in part due to the amazing breakthroughs in cosmetic laser technology made in the last decade. From removing unwanted hair to erasing stubborn wrinkles, lasers have revolutionized the treatment of embarrassing and unflattering skin conditions.

Looking younger is by far the number one request of spa guests looking to purchase services. Moisturizers and skin creams provide temporary results, but do not have the power to treat wrinkles and uneven skin textures effectively. This is why laser skin rejuvenation is one of the most sought-after treatments on the market. It provides a safe and effective alternative for those wanting to avoid going under the knife.

While there are many types of laser skin rejuvenation available, fractional laser skin resurfacing has risen to the top as being one of the most effective and client-friendly options.

A fractional laser projects thousands of microscopic beams of light energy into the dermis using a specialized hand piece. The heat generated stimulates the body’s natural healing process and accelerates collagen regeneration. Not only does this process greatly reduce wrinkles, it also reduces the color and texture of stretch marks and scars caused by acne, surgery or other injuries.

Unlike ablative lasers, which affect the entire layer of skin, the fractional laser only targets a small percentage. Clients experience only minor skin redness and can return to work immediately after their treatment.

At an average price tag of $700 to $1,000 per treatment, adding in-demand laser skin rejuvenation to your services is a smart economic move.

Contrary to popular belief, one does not need to be a medical professional to perform laser treatments. Regulations governing cosmetic lasers allow properly trained massage therapists to provide services like fractional laser wrinkle reduction, laser hair removal, photofacial skin rejuvenation and more.

Acquiring a specialization in light-based skin rejuvenation is not as hard as one might think. Unlike the massage certification process, which can take months, cosmetic-laser schooling is a much shorter process. Massage therapists can typically receive the necessary training by attending an industry-standard two-week course that combines a curriculum of classroom and clinical hands-on training.

Training regulations differ in each state. To find out the exact training requirements in your state, contact an accredited cosmetic laser training school or your state medical board.