Laser hair removal uses technology in which a beam of light is applied to unwanted hair on various parts of the body. 

This light is a specific wavelength that targets the melanin—the pigment in the hair that gives it color, in the hair follicle. 

When the light enters the follicle, it is converted to heat energy that destroys / inactivates the follicle, preventing the hair from growing again.

There are three stages of hair growth. They are:

• Anagen: active growth;
• Catagen: a brief phase in which growth stops and resting begins
• Telogen: a resting phase in which no further growth occurs.

In order for laser treatments to be effective, hair must be in the active growth stage—Anagen. 

Because individual hairs are at different stages of growth at any given time, multiple laser treatments are required to target all of them when they are in the Anagen stage. This is the reason that each subsequent treatment must be spaced out appropriately.

What To Expect During Treatment

Hair grows in cycles, making it necessary to receive a series of treatments. This varies from patient to patient. 

Each treatment is spaced between 4-6 weeks apart and a minimum of 6 treatments is recommended. 

IPL works on the same principles as laser in that light energy is absorbed by targeted cells (chromophores) with color in the skin. 

The light energy is converted to heat energy, which causes damage to the specific target area. IPL systems are different to lasers in that they deliver many wavelengths (or colors) in each pulse of light instead of just one wavelength. 

This technology use filters to refine the energy output for the treatment of certain areas. This enhances penetration without using excessive energy levels and enables targeting of specific chromophores (skin components that absorb light). 

The light heats cells in the skin and breaks them down. The body then removes the damaged tissue naturally.

What are some indications for IPL?

Skin tone, wrinkles, photoaging, skin rejuvenation, photo-facials, sun damaged skin, uneven pigmentation, scars, spider veins, vascular lesions, rosacea, acne, and hair reduction.

Does it help anti-aging / stimulate collagen?

IPL will stimulate collagen growth by treating a deeper layer of skin, while improving texture, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

How long does a treatment take?

The average treatment takes approximately 30-45 minutes

The YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) 1064 is a cosmetic laser commonly used for anti-aging skin treatments as well as addressing a myriad of other skin imperfections. 

It’s considered a non-ablative treatment, meaning it penetrates the skin’s surface and the tissue absorbs the light energy to produce rejuvenating results. Using light sources in phototherapy, such as the YAG laser, has presented promising results for several types of skin afflictions over the years. 

The YAG 1064 laser has become a standard treatment for dermatological disturbances and continues to garner attention for the benefits it provides to the skin.

How does the YAG laser work?

The laser works by emitting a wavelength of high energy light that is measured in 1064 nanometers. When focused on a certain skin condition, the laser device creates heat that safely destroys and removes diseased or abnormal cells. YAG lasers are one of the most common types of laser treatments and are used for many different applications.

What skin conditions does the YAG laser treat?

The YAG laser can effectively treat the following skin conditions and imperfections:

• Facial lines
• Skin laxity
• Sun damage spots
• Stubborn brown pigment

Though the device that delivers the YAG treatment has a large range of applications for many different skin types, this particular treatment is especially great for darker skin tones.

The “Q” in Q switched laser treatment stands for “quality.” A Q switched laser pulses high power laser beams with such precision that they don’t have any thermal interaction with tissues.

 This means that it produces minimal damage to surrounding tissues internally and targets only the tattoo ink pigments. An added benefit of this is a quicker and less complicated healing time. The Q Switched laser has been determined as a gold standard for tattoo removal. It works by producing extremely short pulses of high energy light. The light is then absorbed by the particles of the tattoo pigment but doesn’t get absorbed by the surrounding skin. The tattoo pigment then heats up and starts to break down into small particles. 

A Q-Switch laser may also be used to treat pigmented lesions including age spots, freckles, sunspots and some birthmarks, it targets the melanin in the superficial layer of your skin. When the pigmented lesion absorbs the light energy from the Q-Switch Laser it gets converted into heat.

What is unique about Q-Switched Tattoo Removal?

A Q-switched laser is the only technology that is able to penetrate down to the dermis and shatter tattoo ink (via photo acoustic waves) without causing damage to the surrounding skin tissue. All other methods either aren’t capable of reaching and destroying the ink or cause too much damage to the skin, resulting in scarring. The 1064nm and 532nm cover over 80% of tattoo colors.

What are the benefits of the picolazer?

The PicoLazer offers numerous benefits, including effective skin rejuvenation by reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation while stimulating collagen production for firmer, more youthful skin. It is safe for all skin types, including darker tones, and effective in tattoo removal by breaking down ink particles. 

Additionally, the treatments are non-invasive with minimal discomfort and downtime, providing quick recovery and immediate skin improvement.

How does it work?

The PicoLazer treatment works by delivering ultra-short bursts of laser energy that break down pigment particles, stimulate collagen production, and activate the skin’s natural healing processes, effectively targeting issues like hyperpigmentation, acne scars, fine lines, and uneven texture, all while being a generally painless procedure with minimal discomfort​.

What is the recovery time for PicoLazer treatment?

Recovery time for PicoLazer treatment is typically minimal, with most patients experiencing slight redness or warmth similar to a mild sunburn for a few hours to a couple of days.

How many sessions of PicoLazer treatment are needed?

The number of PicoLazer sessions needed varies based on the specific skin concern, but many individuals see significant improvement after 3-5 sessions.

What color tattoo’s can be treated?

Good - Black, Blue, Dark Blue, Dark Green, Brown, Red, Purple, Orange.

Difficult – Tan, Yellow, Bright Green, Sky Blue.

How many treatments will I need?

We recommend 6-10 treatments

After laser tattoo removal, expect some discomfort during and after the treatment. The treated areas may feel tender and sensitive due to swelling and blistering. 

This discomfort typically subsides over the next few days. Immediately after the session, you'll notice a frosting effect on the treated area, caused by the rapid heating of skin pigment, signaling the first stage of healing. 

More frosting may occur with dark ink. Swelling around the treated area is common, and redness and tenderness usually reduce within a day or two.

What should I expect?

Blisters may form within 24 hours, which, though alarming, indicate the body is healing. It's crucial not to pick the blisters; they will drain on their own and eventually dry into scabs. 

The crust will naturally fall off within 10-14 days post-treatment, granted the area isn't irritated. 

You can resume your usual activities shortly after treatment, but it's recommended to keep the area bandaged for a few days to maintain dryness and support proper healing.