atlanta laser hair removal

January 26, 2018

A Beginner’s Guide to Laser Hair Removal

Uncategorized atlanta laser hair removal, can you shave before laser hair removal, does laser hair removal hurt, tips for laser hair removal, who can get laser hair removal

Most cosmetic treatments are done to address an aesthetic concern that won’t respond to your at-home remedies. These often include wrinkles, stubborn fat, age spots, etc. Laser hair removal does this too, but it also has the added perk of convenience. It removes the hair you don’t want (from nearly any area of the body) but it does it with long-term results to save you the time, expense, side effects, and hassle of shaving, waxing, sugaring, or other short-term methods. Laser hair removal is a popular choice among many age brackets, but if it’s new to you, this handy beginner’s guide from our staff at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center can help you know what to expect.

The Basics of Laser Hair Removal

The goal of laser hair removal is to impact the hair follicles so they don’t produce hair anymore. The light in a laser beam is attracted to color like the pigment in your hair. The pigment in your hair draws in the laser light and pulls it down into the hair follicle, which allows the light to hinder or stop that follicle from growing hair in the future. Your hair grows in three stages (growth, resting, and shedding), with each hair going through this cycle at its own rate. Laser hair removal only works for hairs in the growth phase, so it typically takes three to eight sessions to treat each hair follicle at the right time.

Your laser hair removal experience will vary based on your hair and skin color, hair thickness, hormone levels, gender, ethnicity, age, and more. Laser hair removal used to be available only to people with light skin and dark hair, so that the light was solely attracted to the hair. While these people still tend to get the best results, advances in technology now allow patients with darker skin to enjoy safe and successful laser hair removal as well. However, people with very light hair (like light blond, gray, and white) do not respond to the treatment.

Choosing a Laser Hair Removal Provider

If you’re considering laser hair removal, it’s important to find the right treatment provider. It may be a nonsurgical treatment, but it’s a true medical procedure with risks. Plus, it’s not an inexpensive purchase so you want your results to be worth the investment. For these reasons, you should look for laser hair removal that’s performed by a qualified professional like an experienced, licensed medical aesthetician. At Laser Lights, we’re also a proud member of the esteemed American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Preparing for Laser Hair Removal

Once you’ve chosen your laser hair removal provider, you should schedule a skin treatment consultation. At Laser Lights, we offer these consultations for free, and it gives you an opportunity to find out if you’re a candidate for the procedure, get acquainted with us, and ask any questions you may have. If you’re concerned about possible pigmentation issues from your laser treatment, you may also consider requesting a test spot to be done at your consultation to see how your skin reacts.

You’ll also receive instructions about how to prepare for the treatment, including the following:

Protect your skin from the sun for six weeks before the treatment by wearing sunscreen (broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher) every day on the treatment area and staying out of the sun as much as possible. You’ll need to do this for six weeks after your treatments as well, so find a sunscreen you can use on a daily basis.
For two weeks before your treatment, avoid waxing, plucking, threading, and anything else that pulls out the root of the hair.
Come to each treatment with the area cleanly shaven.
Most of our patients don’t need numbing cream, but some areas of the body are more sensitive than others. If you’re interested in numbing cream, ask us about this at your consultation so you can purchase the cream ahead of time. It takes 30-60 minutes for thorough numbing, so you’ll want to apply it before you come in for your treatment.

What to Expect During Laser Hair Removal

When you come in for your first session, our licensed medical aesthetician will cleanse the treatment area and you’ll be given specialty glasses to protect your eyes from the laser. Our aesthetician will typically start with a test spot to see how your skin responds to certain settings on the laser. He/she may adjust the laser settings as necessary, but when they’ve found the ideal settings for you, they’ll give you pulses of the laser spot by spot. Each spot is the size of a quarter, and each zap only takes a second, so most areas are rather brief depending on the size of the treatment area and how much hair you have remaining. Areas like the full legs and the back will take longer. There is minimal discomfort involved, with most patients comparing it to warm pinpricks or the snap of a rubber band. After treating the entire area, our aesthetician will apply a cooling cream to keep your skin comfortable.

After Laser Hair Removal

One of the great features of laser hair removal is the lack of downtime. You will probably have some redness and your treated skin may feel sunburned, but it’s generally mild enough that you can go back to work or your other activities immediately. These symptoms should fade within a few hours to a few days. You will, however, need to prevent exposing the treated area to the sun for six weeks after your treatment, and you should also avoid hot tubs and excessively hot baths and showers for three or four days.

You might notice a 10-25% hair reduction after your first treatment, with a greater reduction after each future treatment. After three to eight sessions, most patients enjoy months or even years with little or no hair growth. The hair that does grow back tends to be finer, and it can be addressed with a follow-up treatment every year or so.

For many of our patients, laser hair removal is their first experience with laser skin treatments. It can be daunting, but take it from our patients and staff (many of whom are patients themselves): it’s a great way to dip your toes in the pool with a more mild yet successful procedure. If you’re ready to find out more, schedule a free consultation with our knowledgeable and licensed aestheticians. To keep up with our other skin care tips, current special offers, upcoming events, and more, follow Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

January 5, 2017

Skincare Savings You Can Celebrate!

Uncategorized atlanta laser hair removal, Atlanta laser tattoo removal, Atlanta skincare, microdermabrasion Atlanta, microneedling Atlanta

At Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center, we love any reason to celebrate, and the New Year definitely fits the bill! Everyone loves a fresh start and an opportunity to take charge over the coming year. But this January, you have an added bonus to celebrate: exclusive discounts on seven of our popular treatments for the face and body, as well as an entire line of skin care products.

Laser Hair Removal

If you’re sick of shaving or waxing, laser hair removal can be an excellent option. The laser actually impacts the hair follicles themselves, so it’s a long-term solution which limits the hair growth in the future. And here’s a helpful tip: because each hair grows in stages at its own pace and the laser treatment can only affect hairs that are in a certain stage, it takes several sessions in order to get the best possible results, and if you purchase a package of five treatments, you’ll enjoy some extra savings.

SilkPeel® Microdermabrasion

Whether you’re battling acne, aging, or just an uneven or dull complexion, SilkPeel® is a surprisingly gentle yet effective twist on traditional microdermabrasion which applies specialized medication during the exfoliation process. In order to give every patient the ideal treatment for their needs, we customize the treatment depth and formula of the products we use specifically for you.

Rosacea or Spider Vein Treatments for the Face

Problems with the blood vessels in the face, whether they appear in the form of rosacea, facial spider veins, or both, can be a difficult-to-conceal cosmetic problem. Our laser treatments, on the other hand, are specially designed to target and reduce blood vessels in order to offer long-term results.

PCA Skin® Skincare Products

At Laser Lights, we don’t just provide you with professional treatments; we also offer a wide variety of skin care products to help you truly make the most of those procedures, too. This month is the perfect time to stock up on all your favorites from PCA Skin®, but do it soon, because supplies are limited.

Fractionated CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

Fractionated laser resurfacing is one of our most powerful and universal treatments. Whether your goal is to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, complexion issues, acne scars, or other surface imperfections, fractionated CO2 laser skin resurfacing can offer exceptional results with minimal recovery time.

Freckle/Brown Spot Removal

Freckles and other brown spots can simply be the result of genetics, or they can develop later as the result of sun exposure or other factors. But regardless of how they began, our laser treatments can target the unwanted pigment, often clearing spots away in just one treatment.

Réjuvapen® Microneedling

Did you know your body’s natural healing process can leave your skin firmer and smoother? Microneedling stimulates this healing process in a controlled and precise way to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and even stretch marks.

Laser Tattoo Removal

Tattoos are meant to last “forever”, but a lot can change over the course of a few years…including how much you enjoy your tattoo. The advanced lasers that our experienced and skilled providers use can be optimized for different ink colors, skin types, body areas, and more.

New Year’s resolutions are a great way to set long-term goals that can make the coming year one of happiness and self-improvement. If this process involves finally tackling some cosmetic issues that have been nagging at you, our January specials can help you accomplish your goals at a great price. To get started, schedule a free consultation at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center. Or, for more skin care tips, special offers, and upcoming events, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

December 12, 2016

Ten Facts about Laser Hair Removal

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Shaving is one of the few aesthetic rituals that nearly all of us do on a regular basis—young and old, man and woman, low-maintenance and beauty enthusiast. But as common as it may be, it’s not particularly enjoyable, nor are the side effects that come with it, like nicks and razor burn. That’s why medical researchers have graced us with laser hair removal as a way of achieving long-term hair reduction. But how much do you really know? The laser hair removal facts can help you learn more about one of our most popular treatments at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center.

You can get laser hair removal for nearly any area of the body.

People most commonly think of hair removal as being used for the areas we shave most often, like the face, legs and underarms, but it can also relieve you of hair between and around your eyebrows, on your upper lip, back, throughout the full beard, bikini area, and nearly anywhere else down to your toes.

Laser hair removal is becoming more and more popular.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, there were more than 1.1 million laser hair removal procedures in the US last year. That’s over 37% more than in the previous year, and ten times as many as were performed in 1998 (when ASAPS began tracking the data).

The laser actually uses the hair as a means of transportation.

The type of laser we use for this particular laser treatment is attracted to the pigment in your individual hairs, so it concentrates all the energy into the hair. As a result, it travels down the hair to reach the follicle. This damages the individual follicles and hinders their ability to grow hair in the future.

It takes several treatments to see results from laser hair removal.

Each of your hairs grows in a three-part cycle with a growth phase, a dormant phase, and a shedding phase, and the hairs’ cycles don’t all match up. Laser hair removal only works on hairs that are in the growth phase, so several treatments are needed in order to catch the growth phase in as many hairs as possible. For most patients, a series of around six treatments will get the best results, but it varies from one person to the next.

Laser hair removal shouldn’t be performed by just anyone.

It may be cosmetic, but laser hair removal is a medical procedure, so you should only trust someone who is specifically licensed to perform the treatment and who has plenty of experience doing so. A qualified medical professional can also have access to more effective and precise equipment and will know how to tailor it for your skin type and hair color. All of this is important in both seeing results and reducing the risk of complications.

You should shave the day before or the day of your appointment, but avoid waxing and plucking for several weeks beforehand.

Being clean-shaven at your appointment leaves enough hair for the laser to latch onto, but not so much that it causes burns by reaching hair on the skin’s surface. On the other hand, waxing and plucking (or any other method that pulls the hair rather than cutting it) can leave you without enough hair to attract the laser.

Don’t trust a promise of full, permanent hair removal.

The reality is that everyone’s body responds differently to any cosmetic treatment or medical procedure. Your results are expected to be successful, but keep in mind that you may have a few remaining stubborn hairs and that you will likely need a maintenance treatment approximately every year to refresh your results.

Laser hair removal can be a real time-saver.

Patients tend to think laser hair removal is time-consuming, but that’s not really true. It all depends on the area you’re treating. Larger areas, like the full legs or the back, can take an hour or so per session, but smaller areas like the underarms can be treated in just a few minutes. Compare that to all the time you spend shaving thoroughly on a regular basis, and those extra minutes really add up!

Laser hair removal isn’t for everyone.

Certain skin tones and hair colors are more suited for this procedure than others. For instance, light hairs (blond, red, and gray or white) generally don’t have enough pigments to attract the laser effectively. Our licensed and experienced laser technicians will be able to evaluate your skin and hair to determine what kind of results you can expect.

Laser hair removal isn’t as painful as you might think.

People hear the word “laser” and immediately think the procedure will be painful. Everyone registers discomfort differently, but most patients compare it to a light rubber band snap, while some say it’s even milder. If you’re concerned about being comfortable, we do offer a numbing cream that you can apply before your treatment as well.

Blogs like this can be a great crash course in the skin treatments available today thanks to modern cosmetic medicine. But the only way to know which options are truly suitable for your skin type and aesthetic concerns is to schedule a consultation at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center. For more fun facts and skin care tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

November 2, 2016

Skin Care Specials for All Ages

Uncategorized atlanta laser hair removal, atlanta laser treatments, microdermabrasion Atlanta, skin care atlanta, skin treatments Atlanta

It seems like every skincare product or new beauty treatment we hear about is focused on wrinkle reduction. While that’s great news in a way because wrinkles do affect all of us eventually, we’ve found that it can also make our younger and not-so-age-focused friends worry that there aren’t many options to address their aesthetic concerns. At Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center, that’s far from the truth, and this month, we’re offering specials on treatments for patients in their teens, their later years, and everything in between.

Holiday Open House: November 3^rd, 2016

This week, join us for our joint Holiday Open House with Southern Plastic Surgery! Enjoy one-day-only specials, an opportunity to meet our new management and staff, live treatment demonstrations, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, a chance to win free giveaways, and much more. RSVP today, or if you can’t make it to the open house, be sure to take advantage of our call-in sale earlier that day.

VI Peel®

Chemical peels have always been a patient favorite, because they’re suitable for all skin types and you can opt for a light peel for a simple brightening effect or a deeper peel to tackle more stubborn issues like acne scars, age spots, and wrinkles. While we offer a variety of peel options at Laser Lights, VI Peel® has always offered exceptional results.

Réjuvapen® Microneedling

You may have heard of dermal rollers, and Réjuvapen® is a more specialized and innovative version. Using ultrafine needles to stimulate the body’s healing process, microneedling can address scars (including acne scars), fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks, and more.

Freckle/Brown Spot Removal

Some freckles we’re born with, and some we develop from sun exposure, but if you’re unhappy with your freckles, all that matters is how you get rid of them. Our laser treatment can target your freckles as well as other hyperpigmentation.

Spider Vein Removal and Rosacea Management

The bad news is that spider veins aren’t just your grandmother’s problem—they affect people of all ages, genders, and sizes. But the good news is that you’re not doomed to a lifetime of compression stockings. Our specialized laser can cause spider veins on both the face and the legs to fade away, in addition to reducing symptoms of rosacea, all with no needles and no downtime.

Fractionated CO₂ Laser Skin Resurfacing

Few skin rejuvenation procedures produce results that are as impressive as laser skin resurfacing, especially considering that the laser we use offers minimized recovery time and a natural-looking finish. As a comprehensive treatment, fractionated laser resurfacing can address wrinkles, sagging skin, age spots, acne scars, and much more all at once.

SilkPeel® Microdermabrasion

As a new twist on the long-time favorite of microdermabrasion, SilkPeel® feels surprisingly gentle as it exfoliates away the damaged surface skin. In the same process, specialized topical medication is applied, allowing it to reach deeper layers of the skin. Whether you want to control acne, minimize fine lines, or simply achieve a brighter and more uniform complexion, SilkPeel® can be customized to you.

Laser Hair Removal

We all have unwanted hair somewhere on our face or body, and who wouldn’t love to stop worrying about shaving or waxing? Laser hair removal can achieve long-term results after a series of four to six quick treatments, and it’s suitable for all skin types and nearly any area of the body. And why not get your hair removed at the facility who was recently voted Atlanta’s Best for Laser Hair Removal in Best Self’s annual contest?

Everyone wants to put their best foot forward when they reconnect with family and friends for the holidays, and now is the perfect time to start your cosmetic treatments in order to be ready for the coming months. To start discussing your aesthetic options, scheduled a complementary consultation today. Or, for more on our monthly specials and the dozens of cosmetic treatments we offer, follow Laser Lights on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

May 23, 2016

How to Rock a Summer Bod

Uncategorized atlanta cellulite reduction, atlanta laser hair removal, Atlanta laser vein reduction, Atlanta microneedling, Atlanta non-surgical fat reduction

For many of us, “bittersweet” is the perfect word to describe the onset of summer. There’s so much to look forward to, from vacations to warm weather to events and parties, and yet, all this comes with the terrifying thought of putting on a bathing suit after six months of hiding under sweaters and jeans. But here’s the good news to make your summer a little sweeter: between Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center and our parent practice Southern Plastic Surgery, we have solutions for nearly anything that makes you feel self-conscious about your beach body.

To improve your figure:

We have a host of different ways you can whip your body into shape. If you’re looking for full-body weight loss and muscle tone, our NESTA certified weight management specialist Jackie Madison can design a plan around your needs and goals, coaching you along the way and providing customized nutritional and exercise plans. If the problem isn’t so much your overall weight but specific areas of stubborn fat, you could be an ideal candidate for either liposuction with double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Whiteman or for SculpSure™ non-surgical fat reduction, the most advanced non-invasive fat reduction treatment available today. Schedule a consultation at Laser Lights or Southern Plastic Surgery to discuss which option may be best for you.

To reduce cellulite or skin laxity:

If the problem isn’t necessarily excess fat but sagging skin or cellulite, you may be a good fit for Viora Reaction™ cellulite reduction and skin firming. This non-invasive procedure uses three modes of radio frequency (RF) energy, as well as a specialized suction process to improve blood flow, smooth cellulite, and tighten skin, even creating a reduction in size in the process. However, if you have a significant amount of excess skin (such as following dramatic weight loss or some pregnancies), you may be a better fit for plastic surgery with Dr. David Whiteman instead of cellulite reduction.

To enhance a pale skin tone:

We all know that sun exposure and tanning can damage both the health and the appearance of our skin, but there’s hope for the pale and unhappy. Our licensed and experienced aesthetician offers professional airbrush tanning using Eco Tan®, an entirely organic and natural sunless tanning spray. The best part? Eco Tan® can last for a week or longer, and it derives its color from natural cacao, rather than from orange-based dyes, so you don’t have to worry about looking like a pumpkin as much you would with a traditional, automated spray tan.

To reduce stretch marks or scars:

Whether they’re from surgery, pregnancy, C-section childbirth, or injuries, scars and stretch marks can be a burden during swimsuit season. Our Réjuvapen® micro needling treatments can be effective for reducing each of these concerns while also rejuvenating and smoothing the skin. This procedure uses ultrafine needles to stimulate your body’s natural healing process, which breaks down existing scar tissue and replaces it for a smoother, more discreet appearance. As an added bonus, the extra collagen your body produces will help the treated skin to be firming and more youthful, too.

To remove unwanted body hair:

It’s just a fact – nearly all of us have hair we’d rather be without. Sure, you can take care of it at home with shaving and waxing, but summer clothing leaves no room for stubble, and who has time for all that maintenance? We won’t even go into the pain waxing causes or the razor burn that comes from shaving. Laser hair removal, on the other hand, just requires a short series of treatments (we usually recommend six for the most thorough and long lasting results), and by damaging the individual follicles, it leaves you with smoother, hair-free skin for years to come.

To eliminate spider veins:

Spider veins are one of the sneaky cosmetic issues which seem to pop up out of nowhere, and because of their unfortunate stereotype, they can instantly make young legs look older. Our laser vein reduction treatments use a specific wavelength of light which targets and blocks off the precise veins, leaving the skin unharmed and allowing the body to naturally eliminate the treated vein. Most of our patients see complete results after just one to three sessions, so your spider veins could be gone before you know it.

It’s safe to say that nearly all of us have something we’re unhappy with about our appearance, and while we’re certainly proponents of learning to love your natural beauty, it doesn’t mean you need to accept something that makes you unhappy, so you can build up your confidence while also fine-tuning your look into one that makes you feel empowered. To get started on the road to a summer bod that makes you look forward to that bathing suit, schedule a complimentary consultation with us. Or, for more information about skincare and aesthetic treatments, follow Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

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