Leg Veins                                Shaving Bumps

Hair Removal                          Acne

Vascular Lesions Q&A's
(Leg veins and broken capillaries)

How does the treatment work?
The Gemini  produce a 1064nm wavelength. While the rest of the skin is almost completely transparent for this wavelength, it is highly absorbed in blood. Thus, the laser beam passes through the skin and penetrates the targeted vessel. The laser energy heats up and coagulates blood inside the vessel. Unsupported, vessel walls collapse and seal. These vessels later dissolve within the body.

The laser energy is delivered through a hand-held device with a cooling tip. The cooling tip provides additional safety and comfort during the treatment by lowering the thermal effect on your skin surface.

What can I expect during the treatment?
You may experience a stinging sensation during the treatment, which resolves immediately after the treatment is over. In some cases, you may be offered topical anesthetic cream, which may eliminate much of the discomfort associated with the treatment.

What should I expect after the procedure?
The appearance of the treated vessels will dramatically change turning from blue and purple into light red. Some of the vessels may bulge, however, any inflammation will disappear within a couple of hours. The redness of the treated vessels will be gradually disappearing as the healing process occurs, which may take anywhere between 2 and 6 weeks depending on the severity of the veins.

The post-operative treatment regime may include wearing pressure hose, avoiding medication containing aspirin and wearing sunscreen. Make sure to discuss these options with your laser practitioner prior to the treatment.

How many treatments will I need?
Depending on the severity of the veins, you may require anywhere between one and three treatments six weeks apart. The treatment is performed on the existing vessels, diminishing or completely eliminating their appearance. However, the development of new veins cannot be prevented. If your body tends to develop vascular problems you will most likely come back for additional treatments.

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Hair Removal Q&A's

How does the process work?
Through a process called Selective Photothermolysis laser light is passed through the skin and is absorbed by pigment in the hair follicle. The heat generated by the laser light both injures the follicle and inhibits future growth, while leaving the skin unharmed.

What may I be asked before treatment?
A treatment specialist will likely run through your medical history to see if you have had any issues that may impact the procedures safety. For example: have you had keloid (thick) scarring, used Accutane in the last 6 months, etc.) In addition our specialist will request that you not wax, pluck, or tweeze for four weeks preceding the treatments as doing so may reduce the effectiveness of the treatments. Note: shaving should not affect results. 

What can I expect during treatment?
Laser light will be delivered through a hand held wand attached to a laser console. You may experience a stinging sensation as the laser pulse is delivered. To reduce discomfort, the cooling system automatically removes heat from the surface of your skin before, during and after the laser exposure. You should not need general anesthesia or pain medication, but a topical anesthetic cream may be applied to sensitive areas. The process can take from just a few minutes for an upper lip to several hours for a full back and legs.
 

How many treatments will the patient need for hair removal?
Hair growth involves several cycles and, thus, some hairs may be affected during a single treatment and some may not. We have seen that after several treatments most terminal (mature) hairs are replaced with finer hairs of lighter color. Some hairs are completely eliminated. Although complete hair removal may not be achieved, the hairs become less visible and, thus, less bothersome. The number of treatments needed to obtain optimal results varies with hair density, color and growth cycle as well as skin type, though it is common to have 3-4, and possibly as many as 8, treatments; once every 4-8 weeks. Results will improve with each subsequent treatment.

What can I expect after treatment?
The treated area is cleansed and you are free to return to your normal routine. Some patients may experience a slight reddening around hair follicles, though this will typically disappear within a few minutes. It is always recommended that you avoid sun exposure or use sunscreen following treatment.

Several days after treatment injured hair follicles will begin to fall out, a process that can be sped up by lightly rubbing the skin with a towel. It may seem that some hair continues to grow for several weeks after the procedure, but many of these will also fall out. What hair that is not eliminated will likely be replaced by thinner, lighter, significantly less noticeable hair.

How "permanent" is "permanent" following the course of epilation treatment?
Since the procedure is very new and people go through so many stages in their lives it is impossible to completely determine at this time. However, we have seen up to 2 years with no hair re-growth following several treatments.  

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Pseudofolliculitis (shaving bumps) Q&A's

What is Pseudo-Folliculitis?
Pseudo-folliculitis (PF), commonly known as shaving bumps, is an inflammatory condition, widespread among individuals with thick curly hair. As the hair grows out of the skin, it curls and re-enters the skin. The skin reacts to it as a foreign object and becomes inflamed and irritated, creating bumps and discoloration. Often hairs start curling even before growing out of the skin, creating in-grown hairs. These bumps become quite large, causing discomfort to the patient.

Sometimes relief can be achieved with the use of topical steroids and exfoliating agents. Growing hair is sometimes curative as well. More commonly, the ingrown hair is pulled out after each shaving session. Although this is a solution, it is, however, painful and time consuming.

How does the treatment work?
The laser beam passes through the skin and is absorbed in the hair follicle residing underneath the skin surface. The laser energy destroys the follicle with the heat that it generates. Destroyed hairs are then either dissolved within the skin or extruded by the body. Because the laser beam is larger in diameter than the hair follicle, a large number of hairs can be treated simultaneously.

What should I expect during treatment?
Most patients experience a stinging or burning sensation when a laser pulse is delivered. While general anesthesia will not be required, a topical anesthetic may be applied to sensitive skin. To further reduce discomfort, Gemini  utilize a special cooling system that lowers the temperature of the skin at the treatment site before, during and after laser exposure. 

What should I expect after treatment?
After treatment, you may return to your regular routine immediately. Some patients may experience a slight reddening around the hair follicles immediately following treatment which typically disappears within a few minutes.

It will seem that the hair continues to grow for a period of one to two weeks after laser treatment, but in fact, these hairs are actually lifeless and are simply being cast out by your body.

How many treatments will be needed?
Laser treatment impairs the growth of hair follicles when they are in the growth cycle at the time of treatment. All hair follicles are not active at the same time. Depending upon the growth cycle of the follicles when the treatment is applied, multiple treatments, spaced a few weeks apart, may be required to obtain the overall desired effect. 

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Acne Q&A's

Why does acne occur?
Acne occurs for a variety of reasons including an inability of skin cells to shed properly, causing the pores to plug, forcing the oil and bacteria that would naturally escape to be trapped inside. As the oil and bacteria accumulates, the skin becomes inflamed and swells outward forming the familiar whiteheads, blackheads and pimples. Acne is seen in many age groups, but is most common in teens and frequently appears on the face, neck, shoulders, back, and chest.

What kind of acne does the Gemini lasers treat?
The lasers are FDA cleared for facial acne, though they can be used anywhere acne is normally present.

How does the laser help clear acne?
Light pulses are delivered through the skin's surface, targeting an organic compound generated by  acne  bacteria called porphyrin. These porphyrins are photosensitive and when targeted by light, generate singlet oxygen, which kill the p. acne bacteria that cause inflammation.  

How long should the treatment take?
Treatment times will vary depending on the size of the treatment area, though a full face will frequently take about 20 minutes.  

How many treatments should I need?
Physicians who have conducted acne laser treatments frequently start with a four treatment course, two per week for two weeks. More treatments may be needed for those with more severe acne.  

How long do the effects last?
Clinical data suggests that most patients find their acne improves after two weeks of twice weekly treatments. While many patients continue to improve over the months following treatment, some patients experience a plateau in their improvement. Repeated treatments may be necessary to maintain results.

How effective is the laser?
In studies conducted at Wellman Labs in Massachusetts and at a private facility in California, 91% of patients saw their acne improve by an average of 66%. In the most recent clinical study patients saw their acne become 81% less severe.

What will happen in the procedures?
After discussing your medical history, including any drugs you are currently taking, with your medical practitioner, the treatment area will be cleaned and a thin layer of clear gel will be applied. Your practitioner will glide the laser hand piece over the treatment area in a brushing motion as the laser light is pulsed safely through the skin.  

Is it painful?
Many patients describe the laser pulses as feeling like the snap of a rubber band against the skin, however treatments done over active lesions may be more uncomfortable. Your medical practitioner may recommend a topical anesthetic in order to make treatments more comfortable.  

When should I see results?
Patients frequently see results within the first week following treatment.  

Are there side effects?
Immediately following the procedure patients may experience mild to moderate redness and swelling that will fade in as little as a couple hours to as much as a few days.

Can I apply make up right afterwards?
Yes.  

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