laser treatments Atlanta

December 12, 2016

Ten Facts about Laser Hair Removal

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

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+.

October 19, 2016

Laser Lights Named Atlanta’s Best Laser Hair Removal

Uncategorized atlanta cosmetic treatments, atlanta hair removal, best laser hair removal in Atlanta, laser hair removal atlanta, laser treatments Atlanta

At our cosmetic laser center (as well as at our parent practice, Southern Plastic Surgery), we place a high priority on maintaining a positive, enjoyable, family-like atmosphere. While that is one of our goals as a staff, our patients have made it particularly easy to achieve by being a true pleasure to work with. And today, we want to send all of you an extra “thank you”…for voting us Atlanta’s Best Laser Hair Removal!

Best Self magazine hosts their “Best of” contest every year for the Atlanta area, allowing the community to nominate businesses in over 120 different categories related to health and wellness before voting for their chosen winner in each category. That’s what makes this award particularly meaningful to us—that we were selected by you, our valued patients who have experienced our treatments and our service first-hand.

Laser hair removal is one of our most popular procedures at Laser Lights, and it can be performed for both men and women on nearly any area of the body, from the face to the underarms, bikini area, back, legs, arms, and even feet. The laser uses a precise light which is attracted to the pigment in your hair. As a result, the hair absorbs the light and allows it to travel down into the follicle. This damages the follicle and makes it more difficult for it to grow hair in the future. Ideally suited for patients with dark hair, this process is typically repeated over five to six treatments in order to provide comprehensive, long-lasting results. If you’ve been wanting to give laser hair removal a try (or if you’ve already seen what it can do and would like to enjoy its effects on another body area), now is the perfect time to get started! Not only is fall the perfect season to start laser treatments (because the risk of pigmentation changes is lowered with the reduced sun exposure), but throughout October 2016, you can save 20% off any laser hair removal package or treatment!

Patient care is of the utmost importance to us here at Laser Lights, from your first phone call to your treatment and follow-up, so we offer our sincerest “thank you” to everyone who voted for us in the Best Self Best of 2016 contest. If you’re ready to discuss whether you’re a candidate for laser hair removal (or any of our dozens of other cosmetic treatments), schedule a complimentary consultation. Or, even better, RSVP for our November 3^rd Holiday Open House to learn all about our services and take advantage of free giveaways and one-day-only savings. For more of our latest news, special offers, upcoming events, and skin care tips, follow Laser Lights on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

July 18, 2016

Your Laser Mole Removal Questions Answered

Uncategorized Atlanta plastic surgeon for mole removal, laser mole removal Atlanta, laser skin treatments atlanta, laser treatments Atlanta, mole removal Atlanta

Moles are among the most common skin irregularities around. In fact, nearly everyone has at least a few of them. Some people like the originality that a mole brings to their appearance, but many others are unhappy with the way their moles look. Fortunately, cosmetic mole removal can be a rather simple process, and at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center, our licensed and experienced aestheticians can skillfully remove a variety of moles and leave patients with clearer skin. To help you learn more about this procedure and whether it may be an option for you, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions patients ask about laser mole removal.

What is a mole?

A mole is essentially a collection of pigment cells in your skin. Called “nevi” in the medical community, moles can vary in size and color, but most of them are brown and can be either flat or raised. Their direct cause isn’t known, but they are believed to be genetic, and some may be triggered by sun exposure or tanning (with the exception of airbrush tans).

Are moles a form of skin cancer?

In most cases, no. Melanoma, a form of skin cancer, does often form in moles, but the vast majority of moles are harmless. With that being said, you should always keep an eye on whether your moles change in appearance or begin to itch or bleed. These can be signs of melanoma or other types of skin cancer, so in addition to annual skin cancer screenings, you should schedule an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist if your mole develops any of these symptoms.

How do I know if laser mole removal will work for me?

There are several options for mole removal, and it all depends on the characteristics of your mole and how susceptible you are to scarring from each method. Laser mole removal is often best suited to smaller moles which are either flat or only slightly raised above the skin. For larger moles, you may be referred to double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Whiteman, who can remove them with a brief procedure using only local anesthesia.

What can I expect during a laser mole removal treatment?

To help you be as comfortable as possible, our Laser Lights staff may begin with a local anesthetic. The laser will then be used solely on the mole (or moles) you are having removed, so that no other skin is affected. Depending on the size of your mole(s), you may need between one and three sessions for optimal results.

Is there any recovery time after laser mole removal?

Laser treatments for mole removal are minimally invasive, so they require little to no recovery time. You will form a scab which will fall off naturally within a few weeks, and you may also have some temporary redness in the treatment area.

Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, and a mole is one of those anomalies which can be either a blessing or a curse, depending on your outlook. But at Laser Lights, we believe everyone should be able to feel confident and empowered by their appearance, so if you have a mole you’re unhappy with, we’re happy to help. To learn whether you’re a candidate for laser mole removal, schedule a complimentary consultation at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center. Or, to learn more about the many other laser-based and non-laser cosmetic treatments we offer, explore our website and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

March 9, 2016

How Does Laser Hair Removal Really Work?

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

Last year, more than 1.1 million laser hair removal treatments were performed in the United States alone, and part of the reason it’s so popular is because it can benefit nearly everyone. We all have areas of unwanted hair, and most of us spend considerable amounts of time, energy, and money to remove it over and over throughout our lives. That’s why laser hair removal is so attractive – it requires only one series of treatments, with the occasional yearly maintenance visit in some cases, and then you’re free to enjoy smoother, easier-to-care-for skin. So how does the procedure actually work?

Hair Removal Prep

There are several measures you’ll want to take before your treatment in order to get the best possible results. Sun exposure and laser skin treatments don’t mix, so you should be cautious to protect your skin for several weeks before (and after) your appointments, and to be sure any tanning you may have has faded before your treatment. Because the hair in the area you’ll be treating needs to be intact but short, you should avoid plucking, waxing, and electrolysis beforehand, but shaving is just fine.

The Hair Removal Procedure

To help you stay comfortable, you’ll probably start your procedure with some topical anesthetic. During the treatment, our experienced and certified providers will use a low-energy laser and send pulses of light throughout the treatment area. The precise type of light we use is attracted to the pigment in your hair, so the pigment pulls the light into the individual hairs and allows it to travel down the hair and into the follicle. This is when the light strategically damages the hair follicle, disabling it from producing hair in the future.

The Hair Removal Process

Most laser hair removal patients require around six treatments for the most thorough and long-lasting results possible, and here’s why: hair is constantly rotating between three stages: growth, resting, and shedding. Each hair you have is at a different point in its cycle, and laser hair removal is only effective on hairs which are in the growth stage at the time of the treatment. By completing several treatments, we can both address stubborn follicles multiple times and ensure that we’ve caught as many hairs as possible during their growth stages.

The success of your procedures (and the number of procedures you’ll need) depends on many factors, like your age, skin type, hair color, hair growth pattern, gender, and more. Because the laser is attracted to the pigment in your hair, the treatment isn’t typically an option for those with very light hair (like white, gray, red, or very light blond), but it works particularly well for those with dark hair. It’s also important to keep in mind that while great results are expected from your series of treatments, you may need occasional follow-up sessions around once per year, depending on your unique body chemistry and hair growth. And one more word to the wise: be careful. Lasers in inexperienced hands can lead to complications like burns or pigment changes in your skin, so find a technician you trust and look for a facility who’s associated with the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS), like Laser Lights. When you find the right provider, be sure to follow all their pre- and post-treatment instructions for your own safety and satisfaction.

Regardless of what type of cosmetic treatment (or even plastic surgery) you’re considering, understanding the basics can help you enjoy better results, minimize side effects, and make sure you’re getting what you truly want. To start discussing how we can help with your specific aesthetic concerns, schedule a consultation at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center. Or, for more great tips, cosmetic information, special offers, and upcoming events, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

December 24, 2014

Happy Holidays from the Laser Lights Family to Yours!

Uncategorized anti aging Atlanta, anti aging Duluth, anti aging treatments Atlanta, laser skin care Duluth, laser treatments Atlanta, skincare alanta, skincare Duluth

What a great year 2014 has been! Thanks to our amazing patients we couldn’t have asked for a better year. At Laser Lights Laser Cosmetic Center, we are so thankful to each and every customer who chose to include us in their lives and also making the day-to-day job so much fun – it’s not often you get to do what you love with men and women of all ages and backgrounds.

This year, we really hoped to step up our game and introduce new anti-aging treatments that were sure to give your skin great results. With laser services and skincare treatments galore, we like to make sure that all of our treatments are top-notch and the most up-to-date systems on the market. For this very reason we introduced the SilkPeel® rejuvenation treatment. SilkPeel® is the latest non-invasive form of dermabrasion and a skincare “triple threat.” Patients not only love that it treats multiple skin conditions such as acne, dullness & aging, but like the near-instant results seen after SilkPeel® rejuvenation treatment (added bonus: it’s safe for all skin types). To round out our newest services, we also introduced the new chemical peel line, PCA skin®, and a brand new laser tattoo removal system.

This holiday season, we are most grateful for all of our Laser Lights’ friends who continue to make our worlds better each day. We can’t express enough our deepest gratitude and from all of us in the Laser Lights family, here’s looking forward to a great 2015 with all of you. Happy holidays and hope everyone has a wonderful New Year!

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