High-Intensity Laser Treatment: Why Recovery Matters as Much as Results (Hyperbaric Oxygen) | Dr. Song Jong-geun, Pixellab

Hello, I am Dr. Song Jong-geun, Director of Pixellab Plastic Surgery.

Today, I would like to share a topic I often discuss with patients in the clinic, along with the content of two presentations I gave at recent academic conferences. It is about recovery after high-intensity laser treatment.

Many of the patients who come to us for consultations about acne scars or deep skin texture irregularities have already undergone multiple laser treatments.

As a result, I often get asked this question:

Doctor, can I go a little stronger this time?

But when I explain the redness and recovery period after treatment, that is often when hesitation sets in.

“When can I return to work?”

“Will my face turn very red?”

“It would be a problem if recovery takes a long time.”

These are completely understandable concerns. They are also something I think about constantly in my own practice.

The topic I wanted to address at these conferences was exactly this.

I presented on this same theme at two separate conferences.

In August, I attended the 40th Minimally Invasive Plastic Surgery Research Society Symposium. On October 4, I participated as a speaker at the Autumn Academic Symposium of the Botulinum, Filler & Lifting Research Group of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

At both events, I presented on recovery management strategies that take into account high-intensity laser treatment and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) together.

Since these presentations were given before many medical professionals, I prepared my materials carefully. It also gave me the opportunity to revisit concerns I had been working through in my everyday practice.

Ultimately, there was one message I wanted to convey.

Just as much thought should go into choosing a good laser treatment, recovery after the procedure should be treated as equally important.

What if the laser treatment goes well, but you are worried about recovery?

When treating acne scars or deep skin texture irregularities, high-intensity laser treatment may be necessary depending on the condition of the skin.

The higher the laser intensity, the more we need to consider the irritation to the skin and the recovery burden that comes with it.

Treating more aggressively is not always better, but neither is lowering the intensity across the board just because recovery is a concern.

What matters is developing an appropriate treatment plan after carefully evaluating the patient’s skin condition, scar depth, previous treatment history, and recovery circumstances.

There is one more point to consider here.

This is why I turned my attention to hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Oxygen plays an important role in the process by which skin recovers after damage.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment in which a person breathes in oxygen in an environment at higher pressure than normal atmospheric pressure. It works on the principle of increasing the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood to deliver oxygen to tissues.

At these conferences, I discussed what this principle means for tissue repair and how it can be applied to recovery management after laser treatment.

Of course, adding hyperbaric oxygen therapy does not mean that everyone’s redness will disappear quickly, or that recovery time will necessarily be shortened.

Actual recovery patterns can vary depending on skin condition, treatment area, and intensity. Further clinical review is also needed to determine the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy following laser treatment.

That said, I find it a meaningful therapeutic approach because it allows us to consider not only the results of laser treatment, but also the recovery process that follows.

What I believe a good laser treatment looks like

Most patients come to us hoping to see visible changes. I understand that expectation well.

However, in my practice, I often find that the process matters just as much as the result. We need to thoroughly explain how uncomfortable the treatment may be afterward, when patients can return to their daily routines, and what kind of care is needed during recovery.

That is why, at Pixellab, we do not focus solely on the procedure itself when planning high-intensity laser treatment.

The approach I strive for is to determine the intensity that suits each patient’s skin and to guide them through post-treatment recovery care as well.

I will continue to study and reflect on these questions.

Attending conferences gives me the chance to learn from the research and experience of other medical professionals, and I learn a great deal from them.

It also prompts me to revisit things I had taken for granted in the clinic and to think about new therapeutic approaches.

These two presentations were a meaningful experience for me as well.

They reminded me once again of what I need to consider in order to provide better treatment for my patients.

Going forward, I will keep looking closely at new treatment methods and research, and work toward approaches that can truly benefit my clinical practice.

After all, what matters most is providing treatment tailored to the skin of each individual patient.

Thank you for reading this long post today.

Warmly,

Dr. Song Jong-geun, Director, Pixellab Plastic Surgery

*This post was written directly by Pixellab Plastic Surgery Clinic for the purpose of providing medical information and promotion, in compliance with Article 56(1) of the Medical Service Act. All treatments and surgeries carry the possibility of side effects that vary from person to person, so we strongly recommend making a decision only after thorough consultation with qualified medical professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is high-intensity laser treatment necessary?

High-intensity laser treatment may be necessary depending on skin condition, such as with acne scars or deep skin texture irregularities. However, the intensity should be determined by evaluating skin condition, scar depth, previous treatment history, and recovery circumstances together. Neither always treating aggressively nor always lowering the intensity is the right answer.

What is the principle behind hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment in which oxygen is inhaled in an environment at higher pressure than normal atmospheric pressure. It works by increasing the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood to deliver oxygen to tissues. Dr. Song notes that oxygen plays an important role in recovery after skin damage, which is why he focused on this approach.

Does combining hyperbaric oxygen therapy make redness disappear faster?

Not necessarily for everyone. Redness does not always disappear quickly, and recovery time is not necessarily shortened. Actual recovery patterns may vary depending on skin condition, treatment area, and intensity. Further clinical review is needed to determine the effects of combining hyperbaric oxygen therapy with laser treatment.

When can I return to work after laser treatment?

The post does not specify a return-to-work timeline. Recovery can vary depending on skin condition, treatment area, and intensity, so it is best to get detailed guidance from your medical team before treatment.

What should I discuss in a consultation before treatment?

It is a good idea to get a thorough explanation of post-treatment discomfort, when you can return to daily life, and what care is needed during recovery. Skin condition, scar depth, previous treatment history, and recovery circumstances should also be evaluated together.