Preferred Laser Treatment FAQs for Informed Clients

The Candela GentleMax Pro is a versatile system that has both the Alexandrite and Nd:YAG wavelengths to successfully and comfortably treat all skin types!

We recommend 6-8 consecutive sessions scheduled every 3-6 weeks for the face and 5-8 weeks for the body before entering maintenance. Appointments are then scheduled less frequently, with touch-ups needed approximately 2-6 times a year on average. It’s important to note that some individuals with hormonal imbalances may need more consecutive and frequent sessions before achieving desired results.

During each session, we focus on targeting hairs in the anagen phase, or the active growth phase. In this phase, the hair is fully anchored to the follicle and contains the highest levels of melanin, making it most responsive to treatment.

It's important to note that not all hairs are in the same phase at the same time. Our body’s hairs are in different stages of growth, namely anagen, catagen (the transitional phase), and telogen (the resting phase). Because these phases don't occur simultaneously, it takes time for each hair to move through its cycle. This is why multiple sessions are necessary to effectively target hairs in the anagen phase, which is when they’re most likely to respond to treatment.

With each session, as more hairs enter the anagen phase and are treated, you’ll notice any hair that does regrow will be finer and thinner, which is why occasional maintenance sessions are recommended to ensure long-term results and target any new growth cycles.

We consider sun exposure anything longer than 20 minutes in direct sunlight (with sunscreen), and here's why:

The chromophore for laser hair removal is melanin. The laser uses light energy which is then converted to heat that damages the active hair follicle. This is why it is important to stay out of the sun before treatments because the risk of the laser targeting active melanin in the skin over the melanin in the follicle becomes more relevant with sun exposure. The importance of no sun exposure after treatment is because if even more heat is applied after treatment, this can run a risk of hyperpigmentation, burns, and/or worsening irritation of any present side effects.

Laser Hair Removal cannot target blonde, grey, light red, or white hair. The laser cannot treat inside the orbital bone, on palms of hands and feet, tattoos, open wounds, or infected skin. Certain medications or health and skin conditions can pose a risk for adverse reactions.

Clients can commonly experience mild sensitivity such as perifollicular erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) that can appear as red-raised goosebumps with the possibility of a warm or itchy sensation. The heat and itchiness sensation can be easily alleviated with topical skincare such as aloe vera and hydrocortisone, or an oral antihistamine like Benadryl. The redness and swelling could last anywhere between a few minutes to a few hours, and in rare cases a few days. Some people may not notice anything at all! If pre and post care is followed and service is performed by a trained professional, there is minimal to no risk for adverse reactions such as bruising, hyperpigmentation, prolonged redness/swelling, blistering, and scarring.

No downtime required! There are pre and post care instructions, but clients can resume their normal daily activities immediately after treatment. Many clients often get treatments during lunch breaks!

Laser Hair Removal is considered safe when performed by a qualified professional. The laser utilizes non-ionizing radiation, which poses no risk for cancer or damage to the cells. Adhering to recommended pre and post treatment care further minimizes the risk of adverse effects. The GentleMax Pro is FDA, CE, and TGA cleared.

Yes! Shaving is also a great method of exfoliation to aid the shedding of damaged hair targeted by the laser. We recommend avoiding waxing, shaving, and plucking of any hair to ensure the follicle will be targeted during your next session. We also recommend shaving at least 24 hours prior to your appointment to ensure the most effective treatment and reduce the risk of skin irritation.

Children under age 8 are not permitted in the treatment rooms unless they are accompanied by another guardian not receiving treatment. Minors (under 18) must have signed parental consent before receiving treatment and must be at least 12 years old.

Unfortunately, the laser cannot treat over tattoos. The laser will target the ink in the tattoo, causing risk for adverse effects such as burns, blisters, tattoo malformation, and scarring. Our laser technology is designed to adjust to smaller spot sizes, allowing for precise treatment in the gaps and crevices of tattoos, ensuring effective and thorough coverage.

Yes! Shaving is also a great method of exfoliation to aid the shedding of damaged hair targeted by the laser. We recommend avoiding waxing, shaving, and plucking of any hair to ensure the follicle will be targeted during your next session. We also recommend shaving at least 24 hours prior to your appointment to ensure the most effective treatment and reduce the risk of skin irritation.

After the topical anesthetic is removed and skin is prepared for treatment, a soothing serum/gel is applied to assist with needle movement and enhance procedure with beneficial ingredients. Your professional will have one hand holding the Exceed microneedling pen and the other holding the skin taut to ensure proper penetration. As treatment progresses and different are being treated, more serum will be applied. Pinpoint bleeding and erythema is to be expected during treatment and will be wiped with sterile gauze and saline immediately after treatment. More serum will then be applied to the skin.

Immediately post treatment, the localized pin-point bleeding should subside within 5-10 minutes of treatment. Pain or discomfort may occur with gradual cessation following the treatment. Transient mild to moderate erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) can last for up to 3-6 days. The skin's appearance can resemble a moderate sunburn.

You may also feel tightness and mild sensitivity in the area(s) being treated which will diminish greatly after a few hours following treatment, and within the next 24 hours the majority of skin will be healed. Other inflammatory responses such as itching, residual warming, flaking or peeling can occur and will typically subside within 5-8 days of treatment. See all pre and post care instructions below.

For the average client, we recommend a series of 4 treatments every 4 weeks to achieve desired results. Then occasional maintenance sessions are recommended to ensure long-term results, anti-aging, and overall skin health. For more advanced cases, more sessions may be needed to notice results.

With this minimally invasive treatment, little to no downtime is required. Aside from the few pre and post care instructions such as avoiding sun and heat, you can resume your normal daily activities almost immediately after treatment. It is recommended to take what we like to call “social downtime,” meaning no makeup or strenuous activity (sweating) for at least 3 days following your treatment.

Your laser professional will clean the area and, depending on the lesion, draw a white pencil around the area(s) to further isolate the pigment. You then will feel a quick burst of heat followed by immediate darkening of the lesion. For areas with more congested pigment, like the chest, you will receive what is called a “global treatment” which involves a hovering sweeping motion over the area performed in sections. The global treatment can also provide overall skin rejuvenation! You may also see minor erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) surrounding the lesion. We will apply aloe and a cool compress after treatment.

The lesions will look dark brown/grey and form a crust or scab over the area. You can expect this to flake off within the next few weeks. DO NOT scratch the area or any flakes off as this can leave potential scarring. Once the scabs come off on their own, it will reveal fresh baby skin! This new skin will be lighter and could have a lighter/pinkish tone compared to your normal skin tone, and that will take a few more weeks to develop into its original tone.

This answer largely depends on the size and intensity of the pigmented lesion or dark spot. If it is one small isolated area, one could need anywhere from 1-4 treatments spaced about 4 weeks apart. If a client is receiving global treatment for congested freckles, one could need anywhere from 4-6 treatments spaced about 4 weeks apart. It is important to note that we are targeting this specific area aesthetically and not curing the source of how dark spots develop. This means maintenance sessions are necessary to ensure long-term results as well as targeting any new benign pigmented lesions that may come up in another area.

The area will be cleaned and assessed, then your laser professional will have one hand bracing on the skin, sometimes spreading the skin for better visual clearance, and the other hand holding the laser handpiece. Upon firing of the laser, you will feel a cool burst of air followed by a surge of heat.

The chromophore for laser hair removal is melanin. The laser uses light energy which is then converted to heat that damages the active hair follicle. This is why it is important to stay out of the sun before treatments because the risk of the laser targeting active melanin in the skin over the melanin in the follicle becomes more relevant with sun exposure. The importance of no sun exposure after treatment is because if even more heat is applied after treatment, this can run a risk of hyperpigmentation, burns, and/or worsening irritation of any present side effects.

We recommend 6-8 consecutive sessions scheduled every 3-6 weeks for the face and 5-8 weeks for the body before entering maintenance. Appointments are then scheduled less frequently, with touch-ups needed approximately 2-6 times a year on average. It’s important to note that some individuals with hormonal imbalances may need more consecutive and frequent sessions before achieving desired results.

During each session, we focus on targeting hairs in the anagen phase, or the active growth phase. In this phase, the hair is fully anchored to the follicle and contains the highest levels of melanin, making it most responsive to treatment.

It's important to note that not all hairs are in the same phase at the same time. Our body’s hairs are in different stages of growth, namely anagen, catagen (the transitional phase), and telogen (the resting phase). Because these phases don't occur simultaneously, it takes time for each hair to move through its cycle. This is why multiple sessions are necessary to effectively target hairs in the anagen phase, which is when they’re most likely to respond to treatment.

With each session, as more hairs enter the anagen phase and are treated, you’ll notice any hair that does regrow will be finer and thinner, which is why occasional maintenance sessions are recommended to ensure long-term results and target any new growth cycles.

Yes! This treatment can safely treat all skin types, unlike other fractional lasers that pose a risk of hyperpigmentation, burns, and other adverse effects when used on deeper skin tones.

The number of sessions relies on the severity of the present skin concern. It is recommended to have at least 4 treatments spaced about 4-6 weeks apart to get the best results for the average person. Some people with little to no skin concerns may need less, and some with more severe skin concerns, such as deeper wrinkles or acne scars, may need more. It is also important to note that we are treating these concerns aesthetically and not curing how they develop. If you continue to have excessive sun exposure, you will still see pigmentation develop. However, that’s what maintenance sessions are for! Staying within proper pre and post care, of course. People also schedule maintenance treatments to stay on top of their results, anti-aging, or to maintain overall skin health.

Your laser professional will cleanse the area and apply a topical anesthetic/ numbing cream to the treatment area. Once that is wiped and cleaned, it is time to begin! You will feel pressure from the rollers on the laser as well as warm pinpricks. They will work on the area in sections. Following treatment, a serum will be applied to further enhance the treatment benefits.

Your skin will feel warm and tight immediately after treatment. The heat sensation should subside within a couple hours following treatment. Most of the redness will be gone within the next few days. For the next 3-5 days, your skin will have a rough texture, similar to sandpaper. Be sure to check out the post care instructions for more detailed information on our page.