Laser Care

How does laser work ?

Hair reduction laser is a device which targets melanin pigment in the hair which gives the black colour to it. Therefore, it works best on black dark and thick hair which have more melanin content. These treatments work over a number of sittings at regular intervals. The approximate number of sittings that will be required will be discussed with you during consultation. We use only latest FDA approved lasers which is called DIODE.

When do you see the results ?

• In 4 to 6 sittings, you will see good visible results. But the best results are achieved in 8 to 12 sittings. Please keep in mind, this is laser hair reduction and not laser hair removal .

What post treatment care is required ?

• Make sure you avoid the sun for at least the next 2 days. Be liberal with your moisturisers and sunscreens.

What do you do in between the laser sittings ?

• In between your hair reduction laser sessions you could use any mode of hair removal, yes even waxing for the initial 15 days. The latter half of the month however, you are only allowed to shave. Please do not hesitate to call us if you see any unusual change in your skin post laser like pigmentation, burning or redness.

Q-SWITCHED LASER TREATMENT

The Q-switched laser is used to remove unwanted brown spots, sun freckles, or tattoos from your skin. The laser energy pulse, which is in billionths of a second, releases the pigment into the skin so it can be naturally reabsorbed and disposed of by the body.

How do I know if I need this treatment ?

• We stress that this treatment is best for removing only a few spots. If you have many diffused spots we recommend a photorejuvenation procedure such as with intense pulsed light (Elight) or the Fraxel laser.
• The Q-switched laser is not appropriate for pregnant women or patients who have taken Accutane for the past six months. Persons with a history of cold sores or herpes simplex virus should not have this procedure until they are treated for these conditions.

How does Q-switched laser treatment work ?

• The Q-switched laser is used to remove unwanted brown spots, sun freckles, or tattoos from your skin. The laser energy pulse, which is in billionths of a second, releases the pigment into the skin so it can be naturally reabsorbed and disposed of by the body.
• The laser energy feels like many tiny hot dots on your skin. The discomfort is greatly reduced (but not eliminated) by a stream of cold air directed at the spots during treatment. Tattoo removal without anesthetic is very painful, so we always attempt to anesthetize the area before performing tattoo removal.

What are the risks and side effects ?

• A red or brown spot may appear when the treated sun freckle is gone and the crust heals. Although this new spot is temporary and usually goes away on its own, it can be treated if it persists. Infections and/ scars are rare. Proper skin care and sun avoidance are important.
• Prior to treatment potential risks and side effects will be discussed with you by your cosmetic coordinator and medical provider.

What happens after treatment ?

• If the area being treated is the face, make sure to tell the provider if you have a history of cold sores on herpes simplex because laser energy may activate the virus. Be aware that you will have crusts on the treated area for a few days to 2 weeks (if on the legs, it may even be 3-4 weeks). We recommend that you treat these with plain vaseline or petroleum jelly and keep them covered with bandages until they are healed, as this speeds the healing. Although you can use makeup over the treated areas, they may be difficult to cover with makeup. Otherwise no preparation is necessary.
• You feel a burning sensation on the treated area for several minutes or up to a few hours. The spots become red and form a crust that must be covered to heal optimally. The crust heals in 3 to 14 days, (longer for arms and legs) depending on the location and how well you care for it.

Can we combine this with other treatments ?

• Yes, but not on the same day in the same area as the Q-switched laser treatment. This is because the laser develops so much heat during treatment.

Lasers work by directing energy toward ink in the skin with highly concentrated colored light beams. These laser beams break up ink particles into tiny fragments, which are later cleared up by the body’s scavenging cells. This process of fragmenting the ink particles requires numerous sessions depending on the depth of the ink level. The procedure is bloodless and no incisions are made. The laser selectively targets the pigment of the tattoo without damaging the surrounding skin. With deeper penetration of the skin and multiple sessions, however, the heat generated by the lasers may cause pain and blister formation. Even though laser technology is refined, the chance of scarring is always present with multiple treatments. This is not only true for laser tattoo removal, but with nearly all tattoo removal methods.

Who is the candidate for laser tattoo removal ?

• Individuals with fair skin and superficially placed tattoos on the arms, chest, buttocks or legs are the best candidates. Tattoos on dark-skinned individuals, or tattoos on the ankles or fingers (areas where there is less body fat), are the most difficult to treat and results are more variable. A thorough discussion with a tattoo removal specialist can better determine the potential success rate of laser tattoo removal for any given tattoo and skin type. Consulting with a professional and reputable tattoo removal specialist who is experienced and understands the procedure is important to ensure proper treatment and candidacy.

Can all tattoos be removed ?

• Unfortunately, not all tattoos can be removed completely, but the majority can be. Tattoos are meant to be permanent, and with recent ink technology and professional tattoo artists improving their skills, tattoos imprinted in the last decade are very difficult to remove. Even with the best technique, some residual scarring remains in a few cases.

What determines the success of tattoo removal ?

• Complete removal of a tattoo is based on several things. The size, location, application, age of the tattoo (newer tattoos are generally more difficult to remove), and color of the tattoo all factor in, as well as the health of the patient. A patient’s health is a determining factor because it will determine how well the body is able to heal after the procedure.

Does Tattoo removal hurt ?

• Unfortunately, tattoos are painful when they are placed on the skin, and they are just as painful when they are removed. The lasers generate rapid pulses that may feel different to each patient, but are generally uncomfortable and feel like the snap of a rubber band to the skin. To minimize the pain, the physician will recommend taking Tylenol a few hours before the procedure. Pain medications that thin blood and promote bruising are not recommended. To further decrease the pain, the physician may apply a local anesthetic ointment on the tattoo a few hours before the procedure. In some cases, the physician may inject a local anesthetic into the tattoo before the procedure.

How long does each treatment take ?

• Laser treatment usually does not take more than a few minutes, yet this time frame varies greatly depending on the tattoo. However, multiple sessions are required to remove most tattoos. The multiple sessions are usually split over 4-8 week periods, depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo.

Does the procedure have any side effects ?

• Side effects of laser procedures are generally few but may include hyperpigmentation (excessive color) or hypopigmentation (excessive fading) of the skin. Other possible side effects include infection and a small chance of permanent scarring. The area may appear sunburned for a few months, and ultimately this will pass.

Acne scars can be quite disturbing. Acne scars can be treated effectively giving smoother appearance to facial skin. Laser resurfacing helps significantly to reduce the appearance of scars by creating ablative zones which remodel the skin.

Micro-needling, TCA CROSS, C02 laser, Radio frequency with micro-needling laser are used according to type of acne scars. This technology works by triggering body responses to stimulate growth of new cells resulting in smoother skin.