MODERN AESTHETICS — Lasers are one of the top nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in the country, touted for their ability to remove dark spots, address blotchiness and rosacea, tighten skin, and smooth scars. Whether scars are pitted or raised, cosmetic surgeons have been able to use lasers to help even out the skin’s surface and tone—at least, as long as patients were light-skinned.
In the past, we couldn’t often recommend these therapies for people of color because the risk of hyperpigmentation was higher. Recent advances, however, are making laser therapies a much more viable option for all people with scarring, and physicians should feel more comfortable exploring this option for their patients.
