Expert highlights things to consider when opting for medical skincare treatments

If social media posts are any indication simple facial treatments serums and creams are no longer enough to achieve that flawless glasslike complexion Skincare clinics in the city have been advertising specialised laser treatments that help with tan removal and smoothening texture and fine lines and microneedling procedures that stimulate collagen production to reveal younger fresherlooking skin However as Joanna Czech a celebrity facialist who boasts of a starstudded clientele including Kim Kardashian Bella Hadid and Jennifer Aniston pointed out these treatments arenrsquot the onesizefitsall miracle cure that many believe they areLook for a dermatologist trained in nonsurgical treatmentsldquoMedical skin treatments such as laser skin resurfacing and microneedling are effective at reducing wrinkles age spots acne scars and other blemishes as well as tightening skin and balancing your skin tone But because these treatments can do so much and vary so much in how they affect your skin itrsquos difficult to know where to begin when researching treatment mdash even a cursory online search reveals a slew of competing clinics devices and methodsrdquo points out Dr Niketa Sonavane a citybased dermatologist and founder Ambrosia AestheticsIn safe handsLasers are extremely powerful machines says Dr Sonavane and in the hands of undertrained personnel the side effects can be potentially devastating Problems can range from mild and temporary to permanent disfigurement of the face These include infection redness swelling hyperpigmentation hypopigmented white patches burns scarring and keloids She emphasises the importance of choosing a highly trained knowledgeable dermatologist to ensure optimal results ldquoSelect a laser resurfacing provider based on their experience training and qualifications Donrsquot base your decision solely on who has the best price or a brandname laser platform Further look for a dermatologist or plastic surgeon who has undergone a rigorous training fellowship that includes nonsurgical treatments such as laser skin resurfacing and microneedling PRP Refrain from visiting clinics that do not have doctors or have doctors with a questionable medical background Your doctor should have one or more of these degrees mdash MD DNB DDV and MChrdquo she clarifiesDr Niketa SonavaneFactors to considerA safe and successful outcome of any medical treatment be it microneedling or laser skin resurfacing depends on indepth medical knowledge about your facial anatomy skin physiology and much more Dr Sonavane says Your doctor will have to weigh several factors to ensure that your treatment is safe and effective for you Some of the key considerations includegtgt Is laser or microneedling ideal for the skin problems that you havegtgt Will this treatment be safe for your skin typegtgt What skin improvement will this treatment give yougtgt Will this treatment offer a good costtobenefits ratiogtgt What is the pretreatment preparation needed for your skin type or skin problemgtgt What are the laser settings and modifications to the treatment needed to achieve best results in your casegtgt How much is the downtime and will it be acceptable for your work and social lifestylegtgt What are the posttreatment precautions and will you be able to comply with them given your current and future work and social engagementsgtgt What is the possibility that the desired treatment will lead to any side effects and what is the plan to overcome them if that happensIf any of these factors are overlooked the treatment results may be less than satisfactory and can even lead to more problems than benefits she concludesNo pain no gainIn 2019 UKbased designer Georgie Aves had a laser facial treatment to brighten her skin but was left with lasting scars The laser burns caused her skin to be covered with pusfilled scars and cysts and she claimed to have suffered irreversible damage to the glands under her skin In India actor Rashmika Mandanna in pic shared on her social media profile that undergoing multiple laser hair removal treatments had left her with lasting pain ndash a sideeffect that came as a surprise to many as laser hair removal is considered more efficient and painless Experts indicated that the reaction could be caused by a number of factors including insufficient post care or even because of Mandanna being an unsuitable candidate for laser hair removalBefore you decideIf you have a history of any of the following be extra cautious before availing of these treatments1 You have used the acne medication isotretinoin in the past year2 You have a connective tissue or autoimmune disease or a weakened immune system3 You have a history of keloid scars4 You have a prior history of skin treatment such as laser resurfacing5 You are prone to cold sores or have recently experienced herpes infection6 You have dark brown skin or are extremely tannedDr Sonavane adds that skin treatments are withheld during pregnancy and if the candidate has inflammatory acne on the treatment area