How does the laser treatment work?
The laser creates a beam of high-intensity light that penetrates deep into skin tissue where it delivers a controlled amount of therapeutic heat. This heat burns the hair and kills the hair follicle in its active growth phase contributing to your permanent hair reduction. Candela's patented Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD) technology protects the upper layers of your skin with a cooling burst of cryogen. Together, the long pulse laser and the ECE cooling offer optimal treatment with minimal side effects.

What can I expect during treatment?
All of your treatments will take place here at Urban Allure. You will wear safety eyewear to protect your eyes from the laser light. Your practitioner will guide the laser to the treatment areas with a small handheld probe. Each laser pulse will be preceded by a short burst of cooling spray. A treatment could take as little as a few minutes to as long as an hour, depending on the area being treated.

How many treatment sessions will I need?
The number of sessions depends on the treatment area and the condition of your skin. Most people require at least 4 or 5 treatments. We say on average expect to have between 4 and 7 treatments. It is imperative that all of your treatment sessions are spaced out between 4 and 6 weeks apart. The process of permanent hair reduction is only effective when the hair follicle is in its active growth phase. Once you have completed your treatment sessions, your hair should be much lighter in color, finer in texture and of course, much less in quantity.

Does it hurt?
Some patients may feel a slight discomfort with the laser pulse, sometimes described as the snapping of a rubber band on the skin. This discomfort is minimized by Candela's DCD cooling. For some patients, a topical anesthetic may be used prior to treatment. Be sure to discuss this with your practitioner at the time of your consultation.

How do I prepare for my treatments?
You should NOT be tan! If you are tan and have a treatment scheduled, please call our office to reschedule your appointment for a time when your tan has faded completely. Patients scheduled for hair removal should avoid electrolysis, waxing and plucking for six weeks prior to treatment. If you have had a history of perioral herpes and are scheduled for a facial area treatment, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be recommended. Also, any hair should be shaved or trimmed prior to your appointment. Your skin should be thoroughly cleaned and dried, removing any makeup, cream, or oils on the surface before any laser treatment.

What can I expect after my treatment?
Your skin will be red and rashy looking immediately after your laser hair removal treatment. It will also feel slightly sunburned. This redness lasts anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days. Do not scrub or rinse the treated areas with abrasive skin cleansers. Your practitioner may advise additional precautions depending on your treatment area. We encourage the use of ice, aloe vera gel and topical hydrocortisone cream post-treatment to help with redness and itching that may occur. All patients should avoid sun exposure before and after all laser treatments. The regular use of sunblock (SPF 30) is encouraged and highly recommended when going outdoors.

Are there side effects?
Your risks are minimal. Side effects may include redness, bruising, blistering, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and swelling in the treated area-these usually do not last for more than a few days. Permanent side effects, such as hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation or scarring, are rare.

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

What is skin rejuvenation?
Skin rejuvenation treatment with the Ellipse I2PL helps you keep a younger and fresher look. The safe, visible light emitted from the Ellipse I2PL flash-lamp makes your face look younger by removing age spots and diffuse redness, and by improving your skin texture. Uneven pigmentation is also reduced.

What is intense pulsed light?
In its simplest form, this is a way of saying short flashes of very bright light. Ellipse I2PL uses short, safe bursts of light emitted from a flash-lamp to treat specific skin conditions. The technology is rather sophisticated, the Ellipse I2PL system very carefully controls the overall delivery of the light-both the amount of light and the speed of its delivery to your specific skin condition are exact and precisely controlled by Ellipse I2PL's built in computer.

What is the difference between laser and intense pulsed light?
Treatments with laser and with intense pulsed light both work in the same way, choosing wavelengths that are absorbed by the target. But while a laser uses light with one specific wavelength, intense pulsed light uses a band of wavelengths.

Can I be treated?
As skin rejuvenation is based on light absorption by melanin and hemoglobin, treatments are most effective in patients with light skin who are not sun-tanned at the time of the treatment. The lighter the skin, the more pronounced the contrast between the age spots or blood vessels and the skin, making treatment easier. However, Ellipse I2PL has pre-programmed settings for different skin colors that deliver the correct energy output for your complexion.

Does it hurt?
Tolerance of pain varies greatly from person to person. No anesthetics are required, and many patients describe it as a warming sensation similar to the feeling one has after a day at the beach.

Do I need to take special precautions before and after my treatment?
The light used is a completely safe, visible light. Potentially harmful wavelengths are removed by the unique Ellipse I2PL Dual Mode Filtering system. Since tanning takes place by accumulation of pigment (melanin) in the skin, it is important to avoid tanning (sun, solarium or self tanning cream) before and during the treatment period. Otherwise, your tanned skin will absorb more light, which may lead to adverse effects. Generally, no post-treatment care is necessary. But people with sensitive skin may benefit from applying an ice pack to the face immediately after treatment. Furthermore, it is recommended to use a sunblock which blocks UVA and UVB (minimum SPF 30) for a few weeks following treatment.

What can I expect after treatment?
You may notice that the skin looks a little "discolored" for a few days following treatment. After that, you will find that your skin looks smoother and fresher. You might choose to have one or two annual maintenance treatments in order to keep your youthful appearance.

How can I be sure Ellipse I2PL is safe and effective?
Clinical studies documenting Elliple I2PL's safety and effectiveness have been completed, and the results of these studies are published in respected medical journals. Please visit www.candelalaser.com to view these scientific papers. The settings used for your treatment will be based on the settings recommended by the clinicians who carried out the clinical trials.