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Laser Center

laser hair removal

Laser Hair Reduction/Removal: What to Expect

Laser hair removal is ideal for patients with light-colored skin and dark-colored hair. But it also works on medium-colored skin and hair. Unfortunately, laser hair removal is difficult to accomplish on patients with dark-colored skin or with very light colored hair.

What happens during laser hair removal?

Before the treatment, the area to be treated will be cleansed. The laser treatment will take place in a room set up specifically for laser treatments. Everyone in the room must wear protective eyewear during the procedure. To perform the procedure, the skin is held taut and the skin is treated with the laser. Many patients say that the laser pulses feel like warm pinpricks.

How long your treatment lasts depends on the size of the area being treated. Treating the upper lip takes minutes. If you are having a large area like the back or legs treated, your treatment may last more than an hour. Sunscreen will be applied before leaving.

What must I do after getting laser hair removal?

To avoid possible side effects, all patients need to protect their skin from the sun. After laser hair removal, you should:

  • Avoid direct sunlight from hitting your treated skin.
  • Not use a tanning bed, sun lamp, or any other indoor tanning equipment.
  • Follow after-care instructions.

You will see some redness and swelling after treatment. This often looks like a mild sunburn. Applying a cool compress can help reduce your discomfort.

Is there downtime?

No, laser hair removal generally does not require any real downtime. Immediately after having laser hair removal, your treated skin will be red and swollen. Despite this, most people return to their everyday activities.

When will I see the results after having laser hair removal?

You will likely see the results immediately after treatment. The results vary from patient to patient. The color and thickness of your hair, area treated, type of laser used, and color of your skin all affect the results. You can expect a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after the first treatment.

To remove the hair, most patients need 6 laser treatments. After finishing the treatments, most patients do not see any hair on the treated skin for several months or even years. When the hair regrows, there tends to be less of it. The hairs also tend to be finer and lighter in color.

How long will the results of laser hair removal last?

Most patients remain hair free for months or even years. When some of the hair regrows, it will likely be less noticeable. To keep the area free of hair, a patient may need maintenance laser treatments. Maintenance treatments are at a discounted cost.

What are the possible side effects?

The most common side effects are minor and last 1 to 3 days. These side effects include:

  • Discomfort
  • Swelling
  • Redness

Tattoo Removal

Does Laser Tattoo Removal Really Work?

The first question everyone wants to know about potentially using lasers to remove unwanted tattoos is whether the procedure really works. In short, laser tattoo removal is the safest and most effective method for getting rid of that old ink available today. Because it uses only lasers, it is a relatively noninvasive treatment that targets only the ink of your unwanted tattoo and leaves the surrounding skin unaffected.

Lasers Break Up the Pigmentation

So how do lasers clear up unwanted tattoos? First, the process utilizes a specially designed laser that targets the ink but leaves the skin unphased. As the laser passes over the tattoo, it penetrates the skin, finding and fracturing the tattoo’s pigmentation. All the while, the laser has no effect on the surrounding skin.

However, the laser is able to break up the pigmentation into particles small enough that the body then is able to naturally flush them away via the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system. In some ways, the lymphatic system can be viewed as the body’s drainage system, helping to flush toxins, excess fluids, and other potentially harmful substances out of the body. Using a laser to remove unwanted tattoos engages the body’s natural processes for removing foreign materials to get rid of that old ink.

tattoo removal

Safe and Effective

Not only does laser tattoo removal utilize the body’s own natural processes to help remove the ink, but it also kickstarts the process using nothing more than a highly concentrated beam of light that has literally no effect on the surrounding skin. As the body flushes away the ink particles broken up by the laser, the tattoo will fade away.

The Laser Targets the Ink

One of the reasons that using a laser is the single safest method for removing unwanted tattoos is because it utilizes only a concentrated beam of light that has a dramatic effect on the ink particles embedded in the skin with little effect on the skin itself. This makes it a relatively noninvasive treatment as compared to other potential methods for trying to remove a tattoo.

While ink absorbs light–and therefore energy–at the laser’s spectrum, causing the ink particles to shatter into smaller pieces, the skin does not, leaving it mostly unaffected while the tattoo is obliterated, with the remnants naturally swept away by the body’s own processes. Darker skin can be prone to hypopigmentation. It’s best to do treatments when you don’t have a tan.

No Needles or Knives: Just Light

Just as the name suggests, a laser treatment harnesses only the power of concentrated light with no need for needles, knives, or other such implements. We simply blast your unwanted ink with a powerful light, literally shattering the particles into smithereens. While this process is invisible to the naked eye, it will be apparent in its results as your tattoo fades further from sight with each treatment.

Will It Work on My Tattoo?

As with any cosmetic treatment, the effectiveness of using a laser to remove a tattoo will depend on individual circumstances. However, with the right treatment regimen, tattoos of all pigmentations and sizes can be removed with a laser. For example, certain colors or more dense tattoos may require multiple sessions, though results will be visible from the first treatment, with the unwanted tattoo beginning to fade away after just one visit.

What Colors Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work On?

Because the laser is essentially a very highly concentrated beam of light, it has a different impact on different pigmentations. Pigmentations that are brighter in color will reflect more of the laser light, making the laser less effective at breaking up the ink with pigmentations of that color. These colors tend to be in the fluorescent range and absorb relatively little light at the laser’s wavelength.

This does not mean that a laser cannot be used to remove tattoos in these colors, but it does mean that such colors may require additional treatments as compared to other pigmentations against which the laser is more effective.

Darker Colors Break Up Best

Just as fluorescent colors tend to reflect more of the laser light, reducing its effectiveness at breaking up ink particles in those hues, the converse also is true: darker colors absorb more of the laser light–hence, more of its energy–allowing it to more powerfully shatter apart those ink particles to a size the body can then simply flush away naturally.

How Many Sessions Does It Take?

Due to the differences among tattoos–including the colors and the density–there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how many laser sessions it will take for your tattoo to completely disappear. However, any tattoo will begin to show signs of fading after just a single treatment. It depends on the age of the tattoo and whether is was done professionally or not. It usually takes an average of 6 to 12 treatments.

For those with tattoos featuring darker pigmentations, it is likely to take fewer sessions than for those with fluorescent hues in their tattoos. As explained above, this is because darker pigmentations absorb more energy from the laser, making them more susceptible to the laser’s destructive effects. However, fluorescent colors absorb less and reflect back more of that light, meaning it takes more work to get them to break down.

Laser Removal Is a Process

Your now-unwanted tattoo didn’t magically appear instantly on its own, and removing it won’t happen by magic, either. Removing some tattoos can be a process involving multiple treatments and some patience, but rest assured that using a laser is the safest, least invasive, most effective way for you to finally get rid of that embarrassing ink.

Are you tired of choosing your wardrobe based on not wanting to reveal that embarrassing tattoo that somehow seemed like a good idea those many years ago? If you are truly dedicated to removing that unwanted ink, then a laser treatment might be the best option for you.

Where Do I Start?

Once you’ve decided that using laser treatment to remove your unwanted tattoo is the right move for you, where do you go from there? It’s important to find a trustworthy, experienced partner who can make your treatments go as smoothly and effectively as possible.

Go With the Pros

When you’re getting a tattoo removed, you want it done right. After all, the whole point is to make it appear as if the tattoo were never there in the first place. That’s why you’ll want to go with proven professionals who have the training, experience, and passion to do the best job possible for you.

Our staff includes a doctor, nurse practitioner, a nurse, and an aesthetician and laser technician. In addition to years of training and experience specifically in the area of skincare, our dedicated and passionate staff also bring a host of other valuable professional and life experience to their practice, resulting in a unique and multifaceted approach to their work.

How to Prepare

Other than a commitment to do what it takes to get rid of that pesky tattoo once and for all, there is not much that you need to do to prepare for a laser treatment to remove your tattoo. Because it is a safe, relatively noninvasive technique that targets the ink particles and ignores your skin, you might find the experience of removing your tattoo to be a much more pleasant experience than getting it was.

Laser Tattoo Removal Could Be the Right Choice for You

If you are as committed to getting rid of that old tattoo as you once were to getting it, then using laser treatment to remove your tattoo might be the best option for you. Proven to be safe and effective over years of use, laser treatments harness the power of concentrated light to shatter apart those unwanted ink particles, breaking them down into small enough sizes that the body can then flush them away naturally.

Don’t Live with the Regret Any Longer

There’s no reason to live with the regret and embarrassment of an unwanted tattoo any longer. Quit wearing concealing outfits or having to fake-laugh your way through that same embarrassing story every time you put on your swimsuit. We all do things that we regret in life; unfortunately, some of those regrets are just more permanent–and visible–than others. Thankfully, if that mistake is an unwanted tattoo, laser treatment offers a solution.

Ultherapy

How to Lift and Tighten Skin without Surgery?
Ultherapy®, That's How

Ultherapy is the only FDA-cleared, non-invasive procedure that lifts the neck, chin and brow, and improves lines and wrinkles on the upper chest. Through the ultrasound imaging with Ultherapy, energy is delivered precisely to the place where it will benefit you most—for natural-looking results that improve over time.

Ultrasound, Not Surgery

Ultherapy relies on ultrasound therapy to go deeper than other non-invasive treatments for collagen stimulation. And it leverages traditional ultrasound imaging so Ultherapy providers can see the layers of tissue they are treating. This ensures the treatment energy is delivered to where it benefits you most.

FDA-Cleared for Lifting

Only Ultherapy is FDA-cleared to non-invasively lift skin on the neck, under the chin, and on the brow—and also improve lines and wrinkles on the décolletage! No wonder we’ve delivered more than a million treatments worldwide.

A Non-Invasive Procedure

For those who are not ready for a surgical facelift, Ultherapy provides proven results in a single treatment for most patients. Learn how to treat your loose skin without surgery, without impacting the surface of your skin, and without downtime.

IPL

Take years off your complexion

Between the sun, harsh cleansers, pollution, and aging, our skin can become dull and wrinkled (two of our least favorite words). Thankfully, with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, you don’t have to be stuck with skin issues. Think of IPL as a multi-tasker—from age spots to sun damage—it can pretty much tackle it all.

The IPL Photofacial treatment uses short blasts of high-intensity light to produce younger-looking skin that’s firmer and more even in tone and texture. With little recovery time and no surgery, you’re going to start wondering if this anti-aging, skin rejuvenating, sun damage-reversing treatment is magic. (It’s not, it’s just science.)

What can we treat with IPL?

  • Pigmented Lesions
  • Vascular Lesions (small blood vessels)
  • Freckles
  • Rosacea
  • Age Spots
  • Uneven Skin Texture

What to Expect

The first step is your free consultation.

During your consultation, a treatment provider will carefully examine your face, neck, chest, and hands to check for the kind of sun damage, vascular issues, and pigment irregularities that can be helped with IPL.

Before Treatment

You’ll be asked to stay out of sunlight before getting the treatment done.

If you’ve tanned recently, we’ll ask you to wait a month before coming in for treatments.

We’ll ask you to avoid medications that make you more sensitive to light, but always consult your doctor before stopping prescribed medications.

During Treatment

Treatments are quick and usually take about 60 minutes, with the application of numbing cream.

During the treatment, your skin may appear slightly red and swollen. This is a normal reaction.

You might feel a slight warming of the skin and mild discomfort during treatment. Some say it feels like a light popping from a rubber band when the laser targets the dark spots.

After Treatment

You’ll be asked to avoid scented lotions, exfoliants, and aggressive scrubbing.

It’s normal for freckles and sunspots to initially get darker and they usually flake off within one to three weeks. You might feel something like a sunburn after the treatment, but an ice pack should help. On some dark spots, there will be a very light crusting as it lightens. Avoid being outdoors for long periods of time the first month. You should definitely use sunscreen.

Voluderm (Microneedling with Radiofrequency)

VOLUDERM IS A CUTTING-EDGE FRACTIONAL RF TECHNOLOGY THAT HAS BEEN CLINICALLY PROVEN TO REDUCE THE SIGNS OF AGING AND REJUVENATE THE SKIN

A unique, cutting-edge mode of operation allows for a comfortable treatment, with minimal pain and downtime. Ultra-thin electrodes utilize radio-frequency for penetration, resulting in a maximal dermal effect. The electrodes create coagulation in the dermal layer, which stimulates the natural wound-healing process, naturally producing hyaluronic acid, new collagen, and elastin. The result is significant dermal volumizing, wrinkle reduction and skin rejuvenation. The technology is effective and suitable for all skin types and ethnicities.

VoluDerm provides a uniquely safe and effective treatment for controlled heating targeting the deep dermis. This minimally-invasive treatment uses the finest electrodes, while applying RF to penetrate the skin smoothly and effectively, causing minimal pain and discomfort, and generating maximum results. This unique technology stimulates the body to naturally produce hyaluronic acid, new collagen, and elastin.

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