CRI听力: Laser Skin Care Treatment Popular in Thailand

Laser skin treatments are said to be most effective for treating wrinkles, sagging skin and acne scars. At one clinic in Thailand,they are using cutting-edge laser and ultrasound technologies for a new wave of non-invasive treatments.

Our reporter Li Dong has the details.




Ulthera is one of the most sophisticated cosmetic enhancement technologies. The new treatment has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States. Here at Bangkok's S Medical SPA, doctors are performing Ulthera on a female patient.

The center's doctors claim it is a healthy alternative to botox injections and surgical facelifts, and there are no side effects.

They say the treatment is only slightly uncomfortable but far less painful than botox or surgery.

There is no recovery period, the treatment does not cause redness, and people can apply makeup to their faces immediately after a session.

The patient is confident about Ulthera.

"I've never had a laser treatment before but the doctor recommended I do it. The laser treatment will take care of my skin. I mean, it helps me look my age or perhaps it will make me look younger. It is a unique kind of facial treatment because if we take very good care of our skin, it will stay healthy and we will also look younger."

The 45-minute sessions cost $4,000 and target the face and neck. S Medical Spa recommends most of its clients repeat the procedure once a year.

At another clinic in downtown Bangkok, a 32-year old patient is about to get two routine laser treatments on her face.

First she will have a Turbo Bright session and then a laser therapy known as Smart Laser.

Before the Smart Laser process begins, an assistant applies gel to her face to ease the process. Once ready, the dermatologist waves the high-powered laser though a pen-shaped device over her skin.

Everyone in the room must wear protective lenses so the laser doesn't damage their eyes.

The clinic says, the laser, known as dual yellow, is effective in treating a range of skin conditions such as dark spots or lesions, reducing acne, helping the skin look and feel rejuvenated.

Laser treatment is a powerful solution for many conditions, but a medical doctor Thanaruch Thayakorn, there are some cases that still require less sophisticated therapies.

"Actually, there are many kinds of skin problems. People who opt for surgery often have problems like sagging skin. The skin may be sagging a lot. The available technology cannot replace surgery completely, but it can delay procedures and make improve skin conditions for people who don't need surgery. It will also delay the need for surgery."

Smart Laser sessions cost $250.

For CRI, I am Li Dong.