After a laser session with your aesthetic doctor, your skin feels fresh and rejuvenated. Happy with the results, you call the clinic to book yourself in for another laser session. But at the back of your mind, you are worried that lasers will thin your skin if you repeat the laser treatments too frequently.

This is a common concern and you are not alone in thinking so.

Do lasers thin the skin?

Let’s put this myth to bed once and for all – laser treatments do not thin the skin. In fact, it does the opposite. Lasers increase our skin thickness and elasticity, giving us healthier skin and make us look younger. (Read on or watch my video which explains why.)

@drterencetan My patients always ask, “Do lasers thin our skin?” No, it will not, and in fact, the opposite happens! #halleymedicalaesthetics #aestheticsSG #aestheticdoctor #laser #pigmentation #wrinkles #antiageing #laser ♬ original sound – Dr Terence Tan

Why is this so? Laser treatments stimulate collagen and elastic production in the skin. Collagen makes our skin thicker, whereas elastin strengthens our skin and makes it bouncier and firmer. To help you better visualise this, let me give you this example: Lasers are used to treat atrophic acne scars as they help to rebuild the skin to improve the appearance of the pitted scars!

What about peeling lasers? Don’t they thin our skin?

Some of my patients also have concerns with peeling lasers that are used to treat wrinkles and acne scars. It is natural to think that after the top layer of your skin is “peeled off”, your skin gets thinner. But that is only true in the short term.

The skin may be thinner for a short period of time but in a week or two, the effects of the laser treatment will cause new skin to grow. The new and healthier skin with more collagen and elastin will in fact thicken the skin.

There are many different types of lasers in Singapore that are used to treat different skin concerns. Some benefits of laser treatments include:

• Remove pigmentations
• Improve the appearance of wrinkles
• Reduce pore size
• Lift and tighten skin
• Rejuvenate the skin

It is best to consult your aesthetic doctor to clear any doubts you have with your treatments so that you don’t fall victim to the myths circulating around! Cheers!