Laser hair removal involves the use of laser pulses. These pulses emit light into the skin that destroys the root and follicle of the hair. When the root and follicle are destroyed, hair can no longer grow. ​For this process to work, the hair must be targeted during an active growth phase. However, individual hairs usually grow at different rates. Therefore, it takes several treatment sessions to capture every hair in the growth phase and produce optimal results.

In preparation to your first laser appointment, please avoid plucking, tweezing, waxing, and sunburnt skin. In the days before treatment, avoid taking medications such as blood thinners, NSAIDs, antibiotics, retinol, and pain relievers.

Take a shower and shave right before your treatment, but don’t apply any lotions, moisturizers, or sunscreens to the skin. Deodorant will be removed prior to treatment.

There is no definite answer, as each person is different. In most cases, you’ll need between six and twelve treatments. These sessions are spaced out four to six weeks apart. The waiting period is necessary to target every hair follicle while it’s in an active stage of the growth cycle.

Strictly shave only - during and in-between sessions for maximum efficacy. Please inform medical provider if any tattoos are on your body. Tattoos are to be avoided during laser hair removal treatments.

We do not offer injections at The Skin Therapist during pregnancy. However, we can make other recommendations to treat your main skin concern while pregnant. Look into microneedling or come consult about particular chemical peels.

• Avoid Tanning or heavy sun exposure for 2 weeks prior to treatment
• No self-tanner
• Notify the doctor if you have a history of cold sores so that you can be pretreated before your treatment
• Avoid anything can irritate the skin such as AHA, retinol, tretinoin, topical vitamin A for 1 week prior to treatment
• Avoidance of IPL/BBL, laser procedures and waxing for the past 7 days is required.
• Discontinue topical retinoids 24 hours before treatment to reduce sensitivity.
• If pregnant, you must receive clearance from OB/GYN.
• It is recommended to discontinue the use of Aspirin, NSAIDS, Gingko Biloba, Garlic, Ginseng, Flax Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin A, Vitamin E or any other essential fatty acids 1 week before and after treatment to minimize bruising or bleeding from injections. Please consult with your primary physician prior to discontinuing any medications.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, Niacin supplement, high-sodium foods, high sugar foods, refined carbohydrates, spicy foods and cigarettes 24-48 hours before and after your injections. All of these factors may increase risk of bruising and swelling.

Do:

• For the first 2-3 Days apply cool compress to the face
• Take Tylenol for any discomfort
• Sleep with your head slightly elevated, this will reduce swelling
• Change pillowcase nightly
• A gentle cleanser may be used daily followed by the ointment prescribed by your provider

Don't:

• Avoid direct sunlight
• Only apply ointments that your provider has prescribed
• No saunas, hot-tubs, hot baths for 1-2 weeks after treatment
• No picking or exfoliation of any kind for 4 weeks
• Avoid heavy exercise for at least 3-4 days
• Only use medical-grade mineral sunscreen

Before the treatment can start, the therapist cleans the targeted area to remove the impurities and applies the topical numbing cream to make the treatment as comfortable as possible. You are also given special protective eyewear.

We have a Nitrous Oxide device that helps relieve anxiety and pain with the procedure.

The treatment is comfortable because you receive numbing cream on the targeted area, along with a Nitrous Oxide device to relieve pain.  

The Alma Hybrid CO2 Laser is an ablative laser that has a downtime of 7-14 days, depending on the depth and strength of the settings. You will be swollen and potentially have pinpoint bleeding for the first 5 days.  Post 5 days, you will remain slightly swollen.

There are so many factors to a reaction. Make sure you reach out to us immediately so we can do an over the phone assessment to give a good recommendation and let you know what might have gone wrong. This is what we are here for!

As the collagen increases for the next subsequent weeks, the skin noticeably looks healthier, plumper, and younger. Your fine lines, wrinkles, and other indications of aging gradually fade. We see the best results after 3 treatments.

There is no downtime, however some clients may experience swelling, redness.

Your pigmentation will gradually fade over the course of 2-4 weeks. We will book 1-4 treatments and you will continously see your concerns fading.

The downtime is 2-7 days of pinpoint scabbing. It is your pigmentation rising to the surface and flaking off. It is something most men will not notice and you have to be 4 feet away to see. Most clients do not take off work for this procedure.

IPL  is minimal downtime with maximum result. It is not as reconstructive or pulling pigment as deep as the CO2 Laser. Although, the downtime is a walk in the park compared to CO2 treatments. You will need multiple treatments of IPL lasers. Whereas, CO2 you will only need 1 or 2 treatments every few years. The IPL laser is a little more abrasive than the QSwitch Skin Tightening Laser. The IPL will strip pigmentation out better than QSwitch but will have more downtime.