Who knew lasers would turn out to be as useful as they are? First developed at Bell Laboratories in the 1950s with the intention of improving the telephone network, lasers are now used by everyone from teachers who need to point at a screen to optometrists who need to fix a patient's eyes without cutting into them. Lasers have also been put to use on everyday cosmetic matters as well, such as hair and wrinkle removal. Do they work? Should you try it? We'll investigate in this article.

There are many cosmetic procedures that now use lasers. Carpal tunnel syndrome (what is that?) can be eased with laser therapy. Lasers can remove tattoos, moles, birth marks, and acne scars. They can also be used to remove body hair and reduce the look of wrinkles, which is a lot cheaper than going in for a traditional rhinoplasty and face lift. They do this by beaming a stream of light targeted to the wavelength of what needs to be destroyed, whether it's a skin pigment or damaged cells, and destroys it by heating it up, which is much less invasive than surgery and more effective than creams.

As you might expect, using heat to destroy a targeted area does come with some risks. Even successful treatments are usually accompanied by pain and swelling that is approximately the same severity of getting a cavity filled by professionals at (Sunrisekidsdental.com) for example, which will fade with time. Skin may also darken or lighten temporarily, and the device may cause second degree burns, which can become infected. These disfiguring affects are rarely permanent if the treatment is done right, but if mistakes are made permanent scars can result.

To minimize your risk of complications during the procedure, always choose a practitioner who is licensed, properly trained, and has quality equipment designed specifically for that type of treatment, such as a doctor or chiropractor who has decided to use lasers as a sideline. This might mean having to choose a more expensive treatment and claiming the tax credit to make up the difference. Remember: choosing the cheapest practitioner means getting the cheapest results, so be careful. Check references, do interviews, and ask around before you decide, and make sure there will be follow up care available.

Another factor that plays into the success of laser treatments is you. Not everyone is a suitable candidate for laser therapy, so consult with your practitioner beforehand to discuss what you can expect from the treatment. Despite what the motivational posters tell you, not everyone will have perfectly hairless or smooth legs afterward, as the hair removal treatments, for example, work best on people with light skin and dark hair, so your natural skin color or previous tanning efforts may impede your treatment.