ND: Yag Laser

Overview: Equipped with a wavelength that travels into the mid dermis, this laser safely treats fine but deep blood vessels (usually blue) and unwanted body hair in all skin types. To a small degree it can tighten skin.

Expected Results: 50-70% reduction of unwanted blood vessels with each treatment, permanent reduction of about 20-25% of unwanted body hair with each treatment, skin tightening.

Preparation: None

Post treatment intructions: Application of petrolatum if a scab forms. Picking is absolutely discouraged.

Time to desired results: Variable, 2-5 treatments for blood vessels, 3-6 treatments for unwanted body hair, 3-6 treatments for skin tightening.

Contraindications: None.

Lasting results: Permanent for treatment of blood vessels and hair. Note: Our body will form new vessels after 5-7 years, especially in genetically determined spider veins. They may be located in the same area or away from treated areas. Even after 6 treatments for unwanted body hair, there may be residual hair in the treated area because the laser's efficacy is about 20-25% reduction of hair at each treatment. In other words, after the first treatment, 25% is destroyed, during the 2nd treatment 25 % of the residual hair and so on.

Some hair follicles are dormant for months or years and may not be affected by the laser treatment and may produce some hair in the future. Periodic maintenance treatment can be added when these hair follicles are producing hair again. During the course of the laser treatment, the residual hair typically becomes finer and lighter in color. Skin tightening is lesser compared to the gold standard of CO2 laser treatments and duration is variable.

Downtime: Redness and swelling for 1-3 days, possible scabbing and bruising for up to 14 days (treatment of blood vessels), bruising for up to 3 months (leg veins)