Q. How does laser hair removal work?
A. Concentrated light energy is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle creating heat that destroys the supporting cells of the follicle leading to follicle inactivity.
Q. In the procedure painful?
A. There is discomfort. Many patients compare it to a rubber band popping the skin. To minimize discomfort we place a cool gel on the skin and utilize the Zimmer cooler. The Zimmer cooler delivers forced cold air onto the skin to protect and soothe during treatment.
Q. How should I prepare for treatment?
A. You should avoid tanning for 14 days prior to treatment. Do not pluck, wax or in any other way remove hair before treatment. You should however shave or closely clip the area to be treated.
Q. Is it suitable for everyone?
A. Dark skinned individuals are difficult to treat and will be assessed individually and guided accordingly. Grey hair will not respond to treatment. Lighter hair (blonde) often will respond because the follicle contains more pigment than the hair.
Q. Are there any side effects?
A. Typically, no. Some people may experience transient redness and mild swelling but this is uncommon and always clears within 24 hours. Burning of the skin is avoided by determining the proper settings for your particular skin type.
Q. How many treatments does it take?
A. Because the hair grows in cycles, it will take several treatments in all cases. Hair at different sites has variable cycles.
Q. Is the procedure covered by my medical insurance?
A. No.
PHOTO REJUVENATION
Q. What areas can be treated?
A. All areas can be treated. The most popular areas are areas that have been exposed to ultraviolet rays throughout life such as the hands, chest, face, etc.
Q. What results should I expect?
A. Sun spots and age spots become darker. Over the next several days they will begin to flake off and fade away. Small veins will turn dark purple or red immediately and fade away over several days. The skin will become smoother and pore size will be reduced. Rosacea will diminish within a couple of days. A more pronounced affect is obtained by pre-treating with microdermabrasion followed by a package of three to five photofacials, depending on the severity of your skin damage. However a significant difference will be seen with a single treatment.
Q. What is treatment like?
A. The procedure takes from 30 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on the area to be treated. The pulses can sting, therefore to minimize discomfort we place a cool gel on the skin and utilize the Zimmer cooler. The Zimmer cooler delivers forced cold air onto the skin to protect and soothe during treatment.
Q. Who benefits most from skin rejuvenation?
A. People with sun damage such as pigmented spots or freckles, people with visible small veins on the face or neck, people with coarse or dull appearing skin, and people with rosacea.
Q. Is there any down time from the procedure?
A. Most people can return to normal activities and engage in social contact immediately. There may be some redness of the skin, but this typically resolves within a few hours.
Q. Is the procedure covered by my medical insurance?
A. No.
AFT SKIN TIGHTENING
Q. What are the advantages of laser skin tightening?
A. Laser skin tightening is rapidly becoming a very popular cosmetic dermatology procedure for reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other effects of skin laxity. Skin tightening is increasing in popularity because it is less invasive than other rejuvenating procedures, such as face lift and body lift procedures, it produces firmer skin, and it can be used on any area of the body.
Q. What does laser skin tightening treatment feel like?
A. During treatment, your laser practitioner will use a small handpiece to apply quick pulses of laser light to your skin. Patients may feel a gradual warming sensation at the treatment area, and could feel brief discomfort which is often described as similar to the sensation caused by a snapping rubber band on the skin. Most patients comment that the discomfort they feel during laser skin tightening is minimal, and it is usually resolved within minutes of the procedure’s completion.
Q. When will I see results?
A. Most patients notice changes in the tone and condition of their skin immediately following a skin tightening treatment. However, because the procedure is designed to stimulate the natural growth of collagen, the patient’s optimal results may take up to a few months to be visible. Typically, new collagen growth takes from 90 to 180 days after the initial treatment, at which time patients enjoy a rejuvenated appearance.
Q. Are multiple treatments necessary?
A. While patients see noticeable decreases in skin laxity after their first laser skin tightening session, most skin tightening experts recommend up to six treatments, depending on the patient’s desired results and the area to be treated. Treatments are generally spaced roughly three weeks apart. After the initial series of skin tightening treatments, some patients opt for yearly “touch up” sessions to target areas most prone to wrinkles and lines.
Q. Is laser skin tightening safe?
A. Laser skin tightening is a safe and painless way to rejuvenate the appearance of skin in any area of the body. Unlike other treatments, such as laser skin resurfacing, which promote the growth of new skin by removing superficial layers of the patient’s skin the patient’s existing skin, laser skin tightening does not burn or break the skin. Patients who undergo skin tightening experience very few side effects and these are most often minor inconveniences in the form of redness or minimal and temporary swelling.
Q. What are the side effects associated with laser skin tightening?
A. The normal side effects of a laser skin tightening procedure may include redness and swelling, and should recede within a couple of days. In rare cases, patients experience bruising and blistering, and some patients experience changes in pigmentation of treated areas. Again, these side effects are very rare. The average skin tightening patient can expect only moderate redness and possible swelling during laser skin tightening recovery, and will be able to resume his or her lifestyle immediately.
Q. When will I see results?
A. It is very important to understand that you will not see optimal results for months after the initial treatment. This is because the procedure is stimulating your body to produce collagen. It can take from 90 to 180 days for your body to produce collagen.
Q. Is the procedure covered by my medical insurance?
A. No.
