laser hair removal

At home vs in clinic laser hair removal

Over the past year, many of us have made the swap from our usual in-salon professional beauty treatments to “do it yourself” at-home options. Some people have mastered DIY manicures, others have perfected dyeing their own hair… but what about laser hair removal? You may have seen an increase of new at-home laser hair removal devices entering the market all promising hair-free results, but do these machines really work? We have put together some pros and cons of investing in an at-home machine versus getting professional laser hair removal treatments in a clinic so you can evaluate what option will work the best for you.

How does laser hair removal work?

Laser hair removal offers you the luxury of silky-smooth and ready-for-anything skin all year round. Depending on your skin type, the laser aims a concentrated light and heat into your hair follicles. The pigment or blood supply within the hair will absorb the heat, therefore damaging the follicle enough to discourage further growth, with the hair eventually falling out. Professional laser hair removal treatments are tailored to eradicate hair from the chosen face and body areas and the sessions are fast, effective, affordable – and the reduction is permanent!

Pros and cons:

Safety:

Laser hair removal treatments in our clinic is performed by fully trained laser technicians who are laser safety certified. Prior to treatment, clients undergo a consultation to check contraindications and discuss pre/post treatment care. The treatment is then performed under stringent safety and medical protocols, resulting in a low risk of injury or side effects. Unless you are a trained laser technician, it is difficult to determine whether an at-home hair removal device is suitable for your skin type, risking hyperpigmentation and burns if you are treating an area which is not suitable.

Results:

At AnewSkin Aesthetic Clinic and Medical Spa, our trained professionals can treat any skin tone from dark to fair using Class 4 medical-grade lasers. This advanced, globally recognized technology allows us to offer only proven and effective treatments, giving you quality, long-lasting hair reduction results after just a few sessions. Many DIY at-home laser hair removal devices are actually IPL (Intense Pulsated Light) with much lower wavelengths of energy. Lower wavelengths of energy have been linked to hair stimulation, meaning you might actually grow more hair, rather than less. Although this is the case, some of these devices may still deliver results that you can maintain at home, however it is best to use with caution.

Convenience:

The level of convenience all depends on your personal circumstances and perspectives. Laser hair removal performed in clinics require regular appointments to obtain best results. At AnewSkin Aesthetic Clinic and Medical Spa we recommend 6-8 treatments at 4-weekly* intervals, plus maintenance. For some, attending these appointments may be a slight inconvenience, however once you are there the trained technician does all the hard work. For most areas of the body, we can get you in and out of the clinic within 30 minutes. At-home IPL devices will require more sessions overall, but you can do them whenever and wherever in the privacy of your own home.

So, why choose AnewSkin Medical Spa for Laser Hair Removal?

At AnewSkin Aesthetic Clinic and Medical Spa, our qualified laser technicians hold the highest industry training and accreditations and can treat all skin types using fast and efficient globally recognized technology. Believing that everyone deserves to feel confident in their skin, our technicians strive to make sure every client experiences their treatment in a safe, welcoming environment. Appointments are never rushed to ensure consistent results.

Laser Hair Removal is ideal for all women and men who want to permanently reduce excessive or unwanted hair from all areas on the face and body.

So, if you’re ready to ditch the razors and wax, visit us at AnewSkin Aesthetic Clinic and Medical Spa for a complimentary consultation and start your journey to becoming silky-smooth, every day!

10 Lip Filler Tips Before You Go In

Lip fillers have become the number one injection treatment in the past 5 years. The younger generation especially has been influenced by social media and celebrities on this lip filler movement and hey, I’m here for it. Within reason. Although fillers have become more talked about and seen everywhere, that doesn’t mean that it is any less invasive of a treatment. Although you can be in and out of your lip filler appointment fairly quickly, it isn’t your average lunchtime procedure. For someone who has never had fillers before there are a few tips I would highly recommend before scheduling.

1. Research the Injector

This might be the most important one, and I can’t stress enough, do your research! Licensing and credentials are public records and you should be able to find your doctor or nurse’s licensing to make sure they are valid, don’t have any restrictions, and/or suspensions on their record. Certifications and how long they have been practicing is another piece of information

2. Take it Slow

You can always add more! Keep in mind that there will be swelling when you get injections and it may take a couple of days to weeks before you see the final results. Going slow helps prevent you from being overfilled. The best injections are done slowly, one syringe at a time. If you have small lips and are wanting to add significant volume, talk to your injector and work out a plan to achieve the lips of your dreams in a couple of sessions. We personally at AnewSkin Medspa do not do more than 2 syringes of lip filler at one time, and even that is rare. Starting with one syringe ensures you can get the lip shape and volume in all the right places.

3. How Big

Although this question is something I would discuss with your injector, knowing how much volume you are wanting is important. Do you have a great bottom lip but are wanting to even out your upper lip? Or do you like your lip shape but want fuller juicier lips overall? These are things you will want to tell your injector. Maybe even look through before and afters to see what kind of lip examples you are wanting yours to resemble. Knowing what your goals are will help your certified practitioner help you achieve your goals safely and with the best product.

4. Follow Pre-Care

AnewSkin Medspasends out pot-care instructions with each treatment. Following these instructions can help you minimize bruising during and after your appointment. Try to avoid taking Aspirin, anti-inflammatories like Ibuprofen or Aleve, fish oil, multivitamins or vitamin E (as long as it’s not against doctors orders). Those listed medications will thin your blood and can cause more bruising. In addition to those, avoiding caffeine and alcohol for 24 hours before and after your treatment can help reduce the bruising and swelling too. Both bruising and swelling are a common side effect of any filler and should be expected to some degree.

5. Choosing the Right Filler

Another question you should discuss with your doctor or nurse, as they will know the right product for you and your goals, but knowing the options that are available is still important. As stated earlier, with lip filler we always recommend an HA (Hyaluronic Acid) filler. HA fillers are fully reversible, should you ever have an issue. Juvederm XC, Juvederm Vobella, Restylane, Restylane Silk, Restylane Kysse, and Versa are a few of the many options that are available as a filler for the lips. Some of the above last longer than others, some bring on more swelling, and some have different size molecules than others.

6. What to Expect at your Appointment

Lip filler appointments typically take about 45min and the majority of that time is dedicated to discussing your concerns/goals, finding the best products/procedures that would be best for you, and numbing to make sure you are comfortable during the treatment. Filler does give instant results however, expect some bruising and swelling immediately after. This will resolve within the following 3-7 days and full results at 2 weeks post. If you are wanting to do more than one syringe we ask that you wait 2-4 weeks in between appointments so your body has a chance to heal.

7. Numbing Cream vs nerve block

The lip area has a lot of nerve endings meaning it can be a sensitive area. If you are not sensitive to lidocaine, getting numbed before an injection treatment is ideal. This allows you to feel little to no discomfort making the whole experience feel less traumatic. There are a few people who do not get sufficient pain relief from numbing cream. AnewSkin Medspa offers local nerve blocks to ensure a pain free experience.

8. Understand the Risks

Even though lip fillers only take 45min and are more common these days, that doesn’t mean it’s completely risk-free. There is a risk of bruising, swelling, allergic reactions, infection, cold sores (if you’re prone to them), and the one to pay attention to most is vascular occlusion. Vascular occlusion could happen to any injector in any part of the face but is most common around the mouth. This means that the filler or product being used has been placed in a vessel blocking its blood supply. It is important to discuss with your injector what their protocol is for a vascular occlusion to make sure they know what to do, should you ever need it.

9. Good Fillers aren’t Cheap – Cheap Fillers aren’t Good

Fillers are temporary, for the lips they only last 6-12 months depending on the product. Also depending on your lifestyle and metabolism, fillers may disappear quicker. Lip fillers at AnewSkin Medspa start at $450 and go up to $800 per syringe depending on the product. The cost of these fillers are higher because of the quality of the product being used and the expert knowledge of the Injector doing the treatment. Our Injectors attend continuing education to stay up to date on new techniques and safety guidelines. A skilled injector has procedures and protocols in place in case of an adverse reaction. This means you are paying for the quality of care and to know you are in good hands. Groupon filler deals are cheaper because it could be a fake or illegal product, a product that is not HA or safe to be injected, or done by an injector that doesn’t know what they are doing.

10. You Can Reverse HA Fillers

As talked about briefly above, we recommend HA fillers for the lips as it can be dissolved. Why does that matter? If for some reason you were to get a vascular occlusion (blocked blood supply) the Injector would immediately need to flush the area with Hyaluronidase. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that helps break down hyaluronic acid, quickly and safely. By breaking down that HA filler the injector would be able to open up that vessel and restore blood flow to the area. Another reason would be if you had filler placed in the wrong area or if it was too superficial and lumpy, Hyaluronidase would help to dissolve those lumps and misplaced filler. Basically, it’s nice to know going into lip filler that it can be dissolved. Make sure your injector has vascular occlusion protocol and Hyaluronidase on hand before starting treatment. Here at AnewSkin Medspa we have extensive protocols in place for vascular occlusions that are both posted and memorized. As well as a plethora of hyaluronidase, just in case.

GET RID OF PIGMENTATION SPOTS ON YOUR BODY

 

HOW TO DEAL WITH PIGMENTATION SPOTS ON YOUR BODY

Just like acne, pigmentation is a common skin problem that most people face at some or the other point in their life. Darkening of certain spots on the skin can be referred to as pigmentation.

While most pigmentation spots fade away on their own, the process is slow. Everyone wants clear, even and glowing skin, right? So, if you have pigmentation spots on your body, stop hiding them under long skirts and full-sleeved tops, and follow these tips instead.

Wear sunscreen

Before we tell you how to correct it, we will first tell you how to prevent it. Still limiting the application of sunscreen to your face? That’s the biggest mistake you’re making. Don’t neglect your hands, feet, lips, ears, neck and all other exposed parts of the body while applying sunscreen. Sun damage is one of the major causes of pigmentation and hence it’s necessary to apply sunscreen all year long. Wear a sunscreen with a minimum SPF value of 30.

Q Switched NdYAG Laser

This type of laser that is classically used to remove unwanted tattoos can also be applied to unwanted spots on the back. Q Switched NdYAG Laser energy targets the melanin in the hyperpigmented spots and results in gradual fading and lightening of the dark spots. Typically 2-4 treatments are required to achieve the optimal results.

If you are troubled with dark spots on your back and think that Q switched laser may be the right treatment for you, book an appointment with us today.