Lasers are now an integral part of modern aesthetic dermatology worldwide. They represent one of the most advanced tools we have to treat skin concerns with precision, but only when they are used correctly and by properly trained professionals.
Many patients see lasers as “cosmetic devices”. In reality, effective medical lasers are clinical instruments that should only be used by doctors, because they interact deeply with the skin and can cause real harm if misused.
The results you get depend far more on the doctor’s training, diagnostic skills, and judgment than on the machine itself.
For this reason, laser treatments have become among the most requested procedures in aesthetic medicine worldwide…
But here’s the key point: not all lasers are the same, and not every skin concern should be treated with laser.
Laser basics: what’s really happening in your skin
Medical lasers use concentrated light energy to interact with specific structures in the skin. Different types of light affect different targets:
- Pigment (melanin) → hair and dark spots
- Blood (hemoglobin) → redness and visible vessels
- Water in the skin → skin texture, scars, and resurfacing
This is why some lasers are excellent for hair, others for redness, others for scars or wrinkles. There is no such thing as a single laser that safely treats everything.
“Would you try to cut a tree with a kitchen knife, or slice a tomato with a chainsaw?”
Different technologies are designed for different problems, and using the wrong laser is like using the wrong tool. Every technology has its own role, strengths, and limits.
There are many different types of lasers used in aesthetic medicine, each designed for a specific purpose. Some work better for hair removal, others for redness and visible vessels, others for scars, texture, or pigmentation.
For patients, the important message is simple: not every laser is suitable for every concern, and not every treatment fits every skin type.
A responsible approach means choosing the most appropriate technology for the individual, rather than offering the same treatment to everyone.
The laser I use in my clinical practice
In my clinical practice, I mainly work with a dual-wavelength medical laser platform that combines two wavelengths:
- Alexandrite 755 nm
- Nd:YAG 1064 nm
This combination allows me to treat a wide range of patients safely, but always within clear indications.
It is particularly effective for:
- Laser hair removal
- Vascular concerns (broken capillaries, cherry angiomas, targeted small vessels, etc.)
- Rosacea (widespread facial redness, to improve the vascular component)
- Some superficial pigmented lesions (e.g. sun spots, freckles – after medical evaluation)
- Skin tightening
- Onychomycosis (fungal nail infections)
In simple terms: they work best when the right treatment is chosen, done properly, and followed up over time.
THM: The doctor behind the device
Laser treatments can be a valuable part of modern aesthetic dermatology when used thoughtfully and with realistic expectations. They are not miracle solutions, but when chosen well, they can make a visible and meaningful difference. The goal is to use technology as a tool, not as a shortcut.
Respecting skin type and individual sensitivity, with the help of gradual, tailored protocols rather than aggressive approaches and Consistent aftercare and patient collaboration will always give good results and moreover, a happy patient
In short: the technology is powerful — what matters most is how intelligently it is used.
28.01.2026.
Dr. Walter Castorina, MD
Aesthetic Medicine Physician and Laser Therapist
Family Medicine Specialist
Malta & Italy
