What is Laser Stacking?
The idea is that different lasers use different wavelengths to achieve different effects on the skin, explains Jennifer Levine, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City who often travels to Korea. So by combining two or more lasers, you can address multiple issues (sun spots, crepiness, wrinkles) all at once. (Just keep in mind most lasers require multiple sessions, spaced weeks apart, so we’re not talking about one-and-done results here.)
How Does it Work?
Laser stacking is a strategy where multiple lasers are done in one session to address various skin concerns, such as pigmentation, texture, and laxity, says Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Different lasers use different wavelengths to achieve different effects on the skin, so by combining two or more lasers, you can address multiple issues simultaneously.
What are the Benefits?
Laser stacking makes a lot of sense to me—you can get more results and more kinds of results in a single session, with fewer trips into the [doctor’s] office, fewer days off of work, and fewer overall days spent blotchy or bruised or a little swollen, says Laurel Naversen Geraghty, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Medford, Oregon. The overall cost of a combo treatment is going to be higher, because it involves more time and technologies, but you might get a little bit of a combo deal—there is typically a lower overall cost than if you do those same two treatments on two separate dates.
Who is it Suitable For?
Treating rough and dull skin as well as fine lines and wrinkles are two arenas where laser stacking excels, says Anetta Rezko, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Rye and New York City and a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Rezko has been mixing and matching lasers for patients “for years,” she says, noting laser stacking is also called combination laser therapy or multimodal laser therapy (MLT). She likes combining fractional lasers (like Clear + Brilliant or Fraxel) with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to resurface the skin and target dark spots, for example, leaving skin smoother, brighter, and more radiant.
Conclusion
Laser stacking is a revolutionary approach to address various skin concerns in a single session. By combining different lasers, practitioners can target multiple issues, such as pigmentation, texture, and laxity, resulting in a more comprehensive and efficient treatment.
FAQs
Q: What is the cost of laser stacking?
A: The overall cost of a combo treatment is typically higher, as it involves more time and technologies, but you might get a lower overall cost than if you do the same two treatments on two separate dates.
Q: How many sessions do I need?
A: Most lasers require multiple sessions, spaced weeks apart, so it’s not a one-and-done treatment.
Q: How does it compare to traditional laser treatments?
A: Laser stacking makes a lot of sense because you can get more results and more kinds of results in a single session, with fewer trips to the doctor’s office and fewer days off work.
Q: Is it suitable for all skin types?
A: Laser stacking is suitable for a wide range of skin types and concerns, including rough and dull skin, fine lines and wrinkles, and dark spots.