LASER COSMETIC SERVICES

A Fotona ND: YAG laser is used.  Treatments require no anesthetics, no down time with low risk of side effects.

Hair removal

Facial, underarms, bikini lines, legs and for men back hair!  No anesthesia required.  The average person requires 6 treatments at 4-8 weeks apart to destroy all hair follicles.  Certain hair colors such as blond, red or gray may not respond completely to laser treatments. 

Facts:
How does laser hair removal work?
Our Fotona Nd:Yag laser works by destroying the blood flow at the base of your hair follicle. When this blood flow is gone, the follicle and its active parts will shrivel and die. There are 4 phases in a follicle growth cycle: Early Growth, Active Growth, Regression, and Resting. A follicle in an Active Growth phase contains engorged blood flow and will be affected on your treatment day. A resting follicle has less blood supply and will not be affected by treatment. This is true for all forms of permanent hair removal.

How is Aesthetics' laser different?
Our Nd:Yag laser has many safety features. The wavelength of the laser is 1064 nanometers. This makes the target in the hair follicle hemoglobin i.e. blood supply. The depth of penetration goes to the very deepest follicle and people of all skin colors can be safely treated. Other lasers, with a shorter wavelength, target melanin. We all have melanin in our skin. Treatments with shorter wavelength lasers result in heat absorbed into the skin, often not deep enough to effectively destroy a follicle, and have a higher incidence of skin reactions and damage. Our laser also has a computerized scanner. The entire hair growth area is scanned with a minimum of 13% overlap so that no follicle is missed and chances of side effects are minimized. Most other laser hair removal systems are done by free hand. Treatments with our Fotona Nd:Yag laser require no anesthetics and no down time with very low risk of side effects.

What will my skin look like after treatment?
In most people there is no sign that a treatment has been done.

How many treatments will I need?
The average person needs six treatments. How many treatments you will need will depend on your number of growth cycles and how hair-free you wish to be. Because a hair follicle can only be destroyed in an "active growth" cycle, your treatments will be timed to destroy the most hair follicles with each visit. Usually treatments will be 4 to 8 weeks apart.

How long will it take for me to lose my hair?
If you stop watering a plant today it will not die the next day. A follicle that loses its blood supply will also take time to shrivel and die. You will lose your hair in 2-3 weeks after your treatment.

Can I pluck or wax my hair between treatments?
No. Plucking or waxing pulls the hair out of the follicle and my disrupt the growth cycle. You may trim or shave as much as you wish between treatments. Shaving does not change the type of hair that you grow.

What are the possible side effects from treatment?
While side effects are rare, some clients may have a swollen appearance to the follicle for a few minutes after treatment. This usually resolves before the client leaves the treatment room. Because the laser generates heat within the follicle, there is risk of a small water blister. This is not a common occurrence. Rarely, this may result in a change in skin pigmentation at that site or scarring.

What is the cost of laser hair removal?
Cost will depend on area covered, not how thick the hair growth is. Package prices can be arranged if more than on body area is to be treated.

Spider vein removal

Each vessel is traced with pulses of laser light destroying the vessel.  No anesthesia required.  Two or more treatments usually 6 weeks to 6 months apart may be required.  Following treatment there are minor activity restrictions for a few days.

Facts:
How does laser spider vein removal work?
Our Fotona Nd:Yag laser has a wavelength of 1064 nanometers. This wavelength targets hemoglobin or blood. Each vessel is traced with pulses of laser light. As the energy is absorbed by the blood in the vessel, heat is created and the vessel wall is destroyed. The vein will die and the body will clear away the tissue as it would clear away a bruise. Treatments with our Fotona Nd:Yag laser require no anesthetics and no downtime, with very low risk of side effects. People with all skin colors can be safely treated.

How long will it take for my veins to disappear?
Each client's body will have its own time schedule for how quickly veins will be reabsorbed. This could range from days to weeks and possibly months.

How many treatments will I need?
Clients often differ in what they want out of their treatment. Some want their veins completely gone; others may want them to just look better. While many clients may need only on treatment to accomplish their goal, others should expect 2 or more treatments for clearing. Treatments are usually 6 weeks to 6 months apart.

Will my treated veins come back?
Once a vein is completely dead and reabsorbed, it should be gone. However, a person who has already made spider veins may have the tendency to make more in the future. Any newly developing vein can be quickly treated.

What is the cost of laser spider vein removal?
Cost will depend on how many veins you have and the time it takes to treat them. Many clients can be treated in as little as 15 minutes.

What are the possible side effects of treatment?
While side effects are uncommon, the skin over the treated vessel will appear red and swollen for a few hours after treatment. Bruising is the most common side effect. Because the laser generates heat within the vessel, there is a small risk of a water blister. Rarely this may result in a change in skin pigmentation at that site or scarring. Hemosiderin staining is a brownish stain from the hemoglobin in the blood. This stain may linger under the skin.

Are there any activity restrictions immediately after treatment?
You may continue with normal daily activities, however, you need to refrain from hot baths or exercise for 3 days. Depending on your vessels, you may be wearing an ace wrap for 3 days as well. These wraps may be removed for showering and reapplied during these 3 days. These minor restrictions will enhance your treatment result.

Facial telangiectasias

“Facial veins”.  The most visible vessels are treated first and re-treatment at 6 weeks, if necessary, for complete clearing.

Acne

Laser energy targets acne causing bacteria and prevents new acne flare-ups.  Treatments are brief.  May avoid having to use pills and creams!

Warts

Laser energy kills wart virus.

Rosacea

Redness and facial vessels are a predominant feature of rosacea.  These conditions are very amenable to laser treatment.

Laser skin toning, tightening and texture improvement (Collagen Remodeling)

A safe and noninvasive procedure often called “lunch hour face lift”.  Laser stimulates new growth of collagen resulting in tightening of the skin.  A minimum of 3 treatments, 4-6 weeks apart are recommended.  This treatment can be combined with micro dermabrasion on the same day.

Facts:
What is laser collagen remodeling?
Our Fotona Nd: Yag laser is a 1064 nanometer laser that penetrates to the collagen layer in your skin to gently heat and stimulate new growth of collagen resulting in tightening of the skin. This very safe and non-invasive procedure is often called the "lunch hour face lift". collagen is the "backbone" or structure to our skin, much like the framework to a house. As we age, our collagen bands relax, causing our skin to sag and develop lines and wrinkles. Just like going to a gym and lifting weights stresses muscles, resulting in new muscle growth and toning, this deep heating of the collagen also results in new collagen growth This new growth can result in up to a 40% tightening fof skin. This treatment can be combined with microdermabrasion on the very same day.

How will my skin look after treatment?
Our Fotona Nd:Yag laser is safe on all skin types. In most people there is no sign that a treatment has been done. A computerized scanner will safely and evenly provide a pattern of pulses over the entire face. The neck may also be scanned. This treatment can be completed in as little as 45 minutes.

How many treatments will I need?
Just like you cannot lift weights one time to tone muscles, you must begin with a series of treatments. A minimum of three treatments will be needed to maintain continued collagen growth.

How long will it take to see results?
Because we are stimulating your own collagen to grow, results will not be seen overnight. This is a gradual change which will be seen over weeks to months. Your age and general health will affect your individual results.

Microdermabrasion

The manual exfoliation of the upper layer of the epidermis, the dead layer of your skin. This is accomplished with the use of a very fine crystal and vacuum pressure. This exfoliation delivers changes both above and below the skin surface and promotes long term skin health. Treatments promote long term skin health, encourage new collagen formation, and gives a renewal plumpness of the skin and a more youthful appearing complexion.  Microdermabrasion is used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, acne, pigmentation changes and sun damaged skin. Whatever the condition of the skin, by improving the health of the skin, many skin conditions begin to heal themselves.

Facts:
How many treatments are needed?
Microdermabrasion is performed in a series of treatments to bring the skin to a new level of health without compromising the skin's integrity. A beginning series of 5 treatments are recommended, occurring at approximately 2 week intervals. Each session takes about an hour. Follow up treatments are recommended to maintain results. These follow-up treatments are often scheduled every 2-3 months.

What is included in my treatment package?
When you purchase a 5-package of Microdermabrasion treatments you will be introduced to Cosmeceuticals to properly care for your skin and promote your treatments results. A unique benefit of Microdermabrasion is the openness it brings to the skin's surface. This allows the skin care products to be more rapidly absorbed into the skin. These products will be customized to your skin needs and include vitamin, antioxidant therapies, cleansers, moisturizers and sun block.

Skin care products are available to complement laser treatments. Cosmeceuticals are available for purchase individually. Please call 224-5901 for an appointment with Dr. Brent J. Lindbloom, Dr. Shelley L. Nielson, Dr. Cindy J. Pochop, or Dr. Dale E. Vizcarra. Some Saturday A.M. appointments available.