The Complete Guide to Cold Sore Laser Treatment

What is a cold sore?  Cold sores are a common viral infection (typically herpes simplex virus type 1) that often begin with sensations of tingling, itching, or burning. They most commonly then develop into a fluid-filled blister on or around an individual’s lips. They are transmitted by person-to-person contact and can take 1 to 2 weeks to heal completely.1 While there are various methods available to manage cold sores, laser therapy is emerging as an optimal treatment option.  Causes of Cold Sores Once an individual contracts the herpes simplex virus, it remains in their body indefinitely. Most of the time, the virus will remain inactive (dormant). However, it can be triggered and activated by things such as sunlight, fatigue, injury to the affected site, stress, and hormones which can lead to an outbreak. The frequency of outbreak depends on the ...