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HOW MANY TREATMENTS DOES IT TAKE TO MINIMIZE WRINKLES
Generally, it takes 4 - 8 treatments although some will require more treatments and others may experience adequate results with fewer treatments. |
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SHOULD I EXPECT TO BE WRINKLE FREE IN THE TREATED AREA AFTER THE SERIES OF TREATMENTS?
NO! Most clients experience significant improvement in the appearance of wrinkles after the series of treatments but wrinkles are not completely removed.
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IS LASER WRINKLE REDUCTION PERMANENT?
NO! As we continue to age, our skin will continue to lose elasticity and collagen production will continue to slow. Following completion of a series of laser wrinkle reduction treatments, you may wish to have follow-up or “refresher” treatments at 12 or 18 month intervals. |
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WHY DO THE WRINKLES APPEAR TO STILL BE THERE AFTER A LASER TREATMENT? WHY ARE THE WRINKLES STILL PROMINENT FOR WEEKS AFTER THE TREATMENT?
The skin collagen remodelling process that is stimulated by the laser treatment takes time! The full benefit of a laser treatment is usually not realized for up to 3 months. For this reason, at Lake Aesthetics Center, we will not perform wrinkle reduction treatments any more often than three months apart.
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IS THE LASER WRINKLE REDUCTION TREATMENT THE SAME AS A “LASER PEEL”?
NO! A “laser peel” is a much more rigorous application of laser energy that results in burning. Typically, a laser peel requires 6 - 8 weeks to heal over. During that time, the skin is red, tender and weeps serous fluid–much the way any serious burn does. The laser wrinkle reduction procedure at Lake Aesthetics Center does not cause burning or blistering. There is no “down time”. Most clients complete the treatment, apply makeup if desired and go on about their business-as-usual. |
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WHY MUST TANNING BE AVOIDED FOR 6 WEEKS BEFORE TREATMENT AND AFTER TREATMENT?
Tanned skin will not respond uniformly to laser energy and attempting to perform laser wrinkle reduction on tanned skin may result in uneven pigmentation. In addition, exposure of your skin to ultraviolet light CAUSES wrinkling! Tanning following laser wrinkle reduction efforts may negate the laser effects completely. |
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CAN ANY AREA OF THE BODY BE TREATED?
YES, with the exception of eyelids and orbits due to the proximity of the eye. |
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DOES THE TREATMENT HURT?
In order to minimize discomfort, we use a topical anaesthetic on the areas of the body that will be treated. This is a cream that is applied 30 to 45 minutes before the laser treatment. In addition, the laser instrument itself will deliver a short spray of cooling agent, or “cryogen” that further anesthetizes the treatment area just before each laser pulse. The maximum reported discomfort is that similar to a rubber band snapping against the skin. Many clients claim to feel no discomfort at all. However, for each client, and at the start of each treatment, a single test pulse of laser energy will be applied to assess discomfort. If necessary, laser energy levels will be reduced to accommodate sensitivity.
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WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF LASER WRINKLE REDUCTION?
Side effects can include blistering, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, bruising or scarring. Risks of these side effects are minimized if treatment instructions are closely followed by the client. In addition, we often employ selective application of 100% humidified oxygen following a laser treatment to further prevent any unwanted side effects.
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HOW LONG DOES THE TREATMENT TAKE?
Depending upon the size of the area to be treated, the laser treatment may take as little as 5 minutes (for an upper lip) or as much as 2 hours (for a full face). The pretreatment skin preparation will require 30-45 minutes and posttreatment oxygenation may take another 30 minutes. |
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HOW LONG WILL IT BE BEFORE I SEE SOME IMPROVEMENT IN SKIN TEXTURE AND WRINKLE REDUCTION?
Depending on the individual, the treatment area and the treatment methods used, it may take up to 3 months for the full effect of the laser treatment to be experienced. The changes are subtle and occur slowly. At Lake Aesthetics Center, we do take “before” photographs so that the treatment effects can be documented.
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HOW LONG MUST I WAIT BETWEEN TREATMENTS?
Since it takes up to 3 months for laser wrinkle reduction treatment effects to maximize, we will not perform treatments any more often than 12 weeks. However, there is no maximum time limit between treatments. If possible, we do ask you to return to the Aesthetics Center sometime between 4 and 8 weeks post treatment so that we can assess your progress. This follow-up visit is free of charge, takes only a few minutes and does not require an appointment.
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