Skin Care

Is Skin Laundry's 10-Minute Laser Facial the Answer to Perfect Skin?

No downtime, no redness, and no peeling -- but what about the results?

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The Laser Skin Laundry is a two-part treatment. The Nd-YAG laser and IPL (short for neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet, the type of crystal used in the machine, and intense pulsed light, respectively) are both administered by either a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse or aesthetician, based on the state requirements. The YAG laser is an invisible beam of light that makes small snapping sounds as the technician guides it across your face. The YAG targets dirt, oil in the pores, residual makeup and pigmentation like melasma, those brownish-gray patches that come with spending time in the sun. In some spots, like around the corners of my nose and my hairline, the laser got what the technician called "extra clicky." The extra clicking, I was told, is indicative of areas of congestion or extra pigment. Sure enough, these are areas that are typically more prone to breakouts.

The laser works by stimulating the underlying dermal layer of skin, which kicks collagen production and elastin into gear. Essentially, by slightly damaging the skin and tricking the skin into thinking it needs to be repaired, Skin Laundry's laser signals the body to renew skin cells, according to Skin Laundry's lead Registered Nurse Elyse Shelger. The laser targets pigment, like the brown spots from sun damage, which fragments the pigment and allows the body to absorb it and metabolize it.

The pain factor is practically non-existent, though there is a faint snapping sensation and a warmth where the laser is pointed. There is also a slight burning smell, which Skin Laundry attributes to the vaporization of pore gunk.

Image via Emily Woodruff

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