What can I expect during treatment?
You will wear safety eyewear to protect your eyes from the laser light. Our medical aesthetician will then guide the laser to the treatment areas with a small handpiece. Each laser pulse may be preceded by a short pulse of cooling spray. Treatment can take as little as a few minutes to as long as an hour, depending on the area and condition being treated.

Does it hurt?
Some clients may feel a slight discomfort with each laser pulse, sometimes described as the snapping of a rubber band on the skin. This discomfort resolves in several seconds and is minimized by Candela’s DCD cooling system. A topical anesthetic may be used prior to treatment, so be sure to discuss this with our medical aesthetician.

How many treatment sessions will I need?
The number of sessions depends on the treatment you require and the condition of your skin. For hair removal, multiple treatments are required, as the process is most effective when the hair follicle is in its active growth phase. Many factors impact the efficacy of individual laser treatments, including the severity of the condition being treated.

How do I prepare for hair removal treatment?
Clients scheduled for hair removal should avoid plucking, electrolysis or hair waxing for six weeks prior to treatment. If you have had a history of herpes simplex virus and are scheduled for facial hair treatment, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be prescribed. Also, any hair should be completely removed by shaving, and your skin should be thoroughly cleansed and dried, removing any makeup, creams, oils, topical anesthetics or skin tanning products before laser treatment. The intended treatment area should not be exposed to sunlight or tanning booth light for 14 days prior to treatment.

What can I expect after treatment?
A cool compress or gel pack may be applied for comfort following your treatment. Any redness or swelling should resolve within a few hours.

 What precautions should I take after treatment?
After laser treatment, prevent sun exposure by applying sunblock (SPF 30 or above). In the first few days after treatment, don’t scrub or rinse the treated areas with abrasive skin cleansers. We will give you specific instructions about what to expect for your particular treatment and how to minimize the side effects.

Are there side effects?
Your risks are minimal. Side effects may include redness, swelling, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, blistering, and purpura (a laser bruise), in the treated area -- these usually do not last more than a few days. Permanent side effects are rare.

Are these treatments covered by insurance?
Most insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for cosmetic procedures. Consult your insurance carrier for more information.