Does your mirror reflect your ideal image? Do skin imperfections make you self-conscious or leave you less confident? Read on.

The connection between how we look and how we feel is powerful and has been proven in numerous studies and shown to be present in every culture. Many treatments and products exist to unify this connection but one of the newest, most sophisticated means of image enhancement is now accomplished with a laser.

Although use of lasers is relatively new, the theory of harnessing light in a controlled manner was theorized by Albert Einstein nearly 100 years ago. Laser by definition is pure light of only one wavelength (sunlight contains all light wavelengths) and it is this particular wavelength which determines what this light can target. In order to exert its action, there must be a target which absorbs the lasers light. The three targets present in the skin are: hemoglobin (found in blood vessels), melanin (the pigment which gives hair and skin its color), and water in the cells of the skin. Many skin conditions or blemishes involve these targets and are therefore amenable to treatment with lasers.

Rosacea is one such condition. This skin disorder is manifested by an underlying redness of the cheeks, chin and nose. It is exacerbated by alcoholic or caffeinated beverages, spicy foods or heat. The cause is not fully understood, but the only effective treatment (for this redness) is a laser which targets the abnormal accumulation of blood vessels.

Melasma is a condition of irregular skin pigmentation which can be very difficult to treat. Cheeks, chin or foreheads are often involved. It is usually seen in women of childbearing age and is more common in women of darker skin types. What triggers this disorder seems to be estrogen and sun light. Heat may also play a role as many women develop this on the upper lip after waxing. Treatment is challenging. The laser of choice is one which will ablate (destroy) skin cells affected by this hyperpigmentation.

Solar Lentigenes (age spots) is another pigmentary problem of the skin occurring in about 90% of adults over 65 years old. The culprit here is sun light and over-active pigment producing cells (melanocytes). Either an ablative laser or a laser which targets pigment is used to correct this problem.

Rough, dull, wrinkled skin is a dreaded harbinger of age while skin affected by acne can cause as much psychological anguish as physical scarring. Fortunately, an ablative laser can address these problems by resurfacing damaged or scarred skin thereby uncovering the smooth, soft skin which is your birthright.

No matter what your skin im­perfections are, it is likely that lasers can aid in correction.

Call The Randali Centre at 560-4460 for your personal consultation and let Dr. Cohen evaluate your concerns. With ten years devoted exclusively to Aesthetic Medicine and seven different lasers, we can help you achieve that most cov­eted of all beauty attributes: Flawless skin.

This article originally appeared in the November/December 2010 issue of Lancaster County Woman