Which part of the skin does laser therapy target primarily?

Laser therapy primarily targets the dermis of the skin due to its rich composition of collagen and elastic fibers, which are crucial for various skin conditions. The dermal layer lies beneath the epidermis and is where many therapeutic effects of laser treatments occur, such as the stimulation of collagen production, improvement of skin texture, and treatment of vascular lesions.

While other layers of the skin might be affected—such as the epidermis where superficial lasers can work for concerns like pigmentation or fine lines—the primary action of most laser therapies takes place deeper in the dermis. This is particularly true for laser applications aimed at rejuvenation, scar treatment, and hair removal. The precise targeting of the dermis allows for deeper penetration, leading to effective results while minimizing damage to the outer layers of skin.

In contrast, saying that all skin layers are targeted equally doesn’t accurately reflect the way most laser technologies are designed to work, as they are calibrated to focus on specific depths. The subcutaneous fat layer is largely unaffected by laser therapies aimed at skin rejuvenation and repair, and targeting solely the top epidermal layer would limit the effectiveness of the treatment.