Yes! We are able to treat all skin types because we have four different laser machines. The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Chart helps determine the best machine and settings to achieve optimal results, ensuring the treatment is safe and effective for each client.
After treatment, you might experience temporary redness or puffiness, similar to a mild sunburn. This “follicular edema” may resemble goose bumps and should fade in minutes or a few hours. Rarely, mild burns or pigmentation changes may occur, but these usually resolve completely over time.
Most people compare the sensation to a rubber band snap or tickling, with minimal discomfort during the treatment. Sensitivity can vary based on the area treated, but discomfort is generally short-lived. The most sensitive areas are the back, neck, upper lip, and bikini zone. Pre-treatment protocols to minimize pain are available on request.
It is ideal to shave the treatment area 24-48 hours prior to treatment. STOP using Retin-A or Trentanoin products 5 days before treatment. Certain antibiotics (Doxycycline) should be completed before treatment. If you are concerned about pain, follow this link for Over-the-Counter pain management instructions.
Yes, laser hair removal offers 80-90% permanent hair reduction for most people, with some clients achieving nearly 100% removal. Results depend on factors like hair color, texture, hormones, and skin type. It is important to note that the laser process is less effective on light blonde, white, gray, or red hair.
The laser targets melanin in the hair follicle with light pulses, destroying the root while protecting surrounding skin. A cooling spray or contact cooling follows each pulse to minimize discomfort.
Typically, 5-8 treatments are recommended, spaced 4-6 weeks apart, to achieve 80-90% hair reduction. Areas like legs, underarms, and bikini tend to respond well, while the face or back may require more treatments. Age, hair density and hormones can also affect a body’s response to treatment and may indicate additional treatment sessions. After completing a 5-treatment package, further treatments are deeply discounted.
Sessions are typically spaced 4-6 weeks apart to target hair during its growth phase, providing the best results.
Do NOT tweeze or wax, but you may bleach the hair on your face. The key is to leave the root intact so the laser can target the hair follicle. DO gently and thoroughly exfoliate the treated area to remove the dead hair. Shaving is safe and recommended, especially before treatment.
Treatment time depends on the area being treated. Small areas like underarms take about 10 minutes, while larger areas such as legs or the back may take 30-60 minutes.
At Smooth Skin Laser, we do not treat anyone under the age of 14. Between 15-18, parental consent is required.
Laser hair removal is amazing for most people, but it is not for everyone. Clients who are pregnant or taking photosensitive medications (e.g. Accutane) should limit treatment to certain areas in consultation with care providers. Certain skin cancers and open wounds in the treatment area could also prevent treatment. This will be discussed during your consultation.
Yes, laser hair removal is safe and can be a positive step to decrease hair production. However, if hormone levels are not managed, the hair may regrow, preventing good results. When hormone levels are stable, laser hair removal becomes very effective. Some facial areas may require periodic touch-ups.
Yes, it will but it often requires a consistent schedule of maintenance treatments and/or higher levels of treatment energy. Almost all clients with PCOS are satisfied with their results. Ask about our PCOS discount.
Laser treatment can help with ingrown hairs, making the skin smoother and more even over time. Fine, vellus hair (“peach fuzz”) can be challenging to treat but can be removed. A consultation will help determine an effective treatment plan for you.
Yes, modern lasers can effectively treat all skin types, including skin with more melanin. At your consultation, we will assess your skin type and determine which of our four different machines will work best for you.
Laser hair removal is equally effective for men. It’s a great solution for managing unwanted body hair in areas like the back, neck, face, arms, and more. We do not offer brazilian treatments for men.
PicoSure® is the world’s first and only picosecond aesthetic laser platform for multiple aesthetic applications including acne scar treatment, removal of pigmented lesions and wrinkle treatment. This unparalleled breakthrough in laser technology delivers ultra-short pulse bursts of energy to the skin in trillionths of a second to gently target and eliminate pigment without harming the surrounding skin. Improve the look of your skin and achieve a more youthful appearance by removing pigment or treating wrinkles and acne scars faster than ever before with PicoSure.
PicoSure is a non-invasive option that reduces the need for surgical facelifts, fillers, and toxins, which often have significant downtime and risks. It’s an ideal first step for a more youthful appearance with little to no recovery time.
PicoSure uses ultra-short bursts of energy to break down pigments and target wrinkles, stimulating the body’s natural collagen production to enhance skin appearance. For more of the science, please see this Flip Book with all you want to know.
Most patients describe the sensation as a quick snap of a rubber band. It’s usually tolerable and doesn’t require numbing.
Following treatment, the skin is usually pink for 1-3 hours and sometimes up to 24 hours. Most clients feel comfortable returning to their workplace after a treatment. Your practitioner will provide additional after care instructions as needed to ensure a quick recovery.
No. We do not offer Botox or other injectables. We specialize in lasers and have multiple machines to treat fine lines, wrinkles, scars, melasma and other benign pigmentation issues.
Yes. We are able to treat Rosacea and Cherry Angiomas using a combination of 2 lasers and topical cream.
Adverse effects can include hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, mild erythema and edema, and possible scarring and infection. By following your practitioner’s post-treatment care instructions you will significantly decrease the risk of these adverse effects.
Pigmented lesions like age spots, sunspots, and brown patches are caused by concentrated melanin, often due to sun exposure, hormonal changes, or genetics.
PicoSure can help restore an even skin tone by treating a range of benign pigmented lesions, including age spots, freckles, brown patches, and pigmented skin tags.
A few sessions are generally sufficient for most clients, though larger or deeper lesions may need additional treatments. Your practitioner will customize a treatment plan during your consultation.
Ultra-short laser pulses penetrate deeply into the skin, encouraging collagen production and helping to replace damaged tissue with fresh, healthy skin. Treatment will probably not entirely eliminate the scar but should smooth it out and improve associated discoloration.
The PicoSure laser is effective in reducing the appearance of surgical scars, stretch marks, acne scars and more. The newer the scar, the fewer the number of treatments needed to see results.
2-5 treatments are typically recommended, depending on the severity of the scars. Improvements usually start to show after a couple of sessions.
Most people resume regular activities immediately following the treatment session.
Typical side effects include temporary redness and swelling at the treatment site. Unwanted pigmentation associated with the acne scarring should slightly frost (whiten) during treatment, then darken over the following 24 hours and then shed over time.
The treatment works at all three layers of skin to stimulate the body to rebuild collagen and elastin, which helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles, giving the skin a more youthful appearance.
If you have fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes, mouth, or any area of your body including face, hands, and arms you may be a good candidate for the PicoSure treatment.
The procedure can be performed in as little as 15 minutes or less, depending on the size of the treatment area.
A series of 3-4 treatments is usually recommended for the best results, with sessions spaced 4 weeks apart. The interval can be up to 8 weeks apart for darker skin types.
We consistently hear from clients that the pain is as bad or worse than the tattoo itself. We strongly encourage clients to make use of our Over-the-Counter pain management instructions 30 minutes prior to treatment to reduce discomfort.
Some areas are especially sensitive such as any bony areas (chest area near the ribs, over the spine, fingers, ankles).
Treatments generally take 10-30 minutes, depending on the tattoo size and complexity.
Most tattoos require 3-8 sessions spaced 6-8 weeks apart for optimal results. The number of treatments depends on factors like ink color, tattoo size, and location on the body. Tattoos farther away from the body core may take up to 12 treatments because of blood flow to the treated area.
There may be some light blistering around the treated area that will resolve in 3-5 days. It takes approximately 6-8 weeks for the body to expel the blasted ink particles.
Yes. We are able to very effectively minimize eyebrow tattoos.
No. We CANNOT remove RED, ORANGE or YELLOW ink.
We are extremely effective in treating BLACK and BLUE tattoos. We have also seen very good results treating Green, Brown and Purple tattoos. In some cases, these colors may leave a faint shadow of a background color. For example:
A tattoo has to be AT LEAST 6 weeks old (full skin recovery) before laser removal treatment can begin. If you are unsure, wait 2 more weeks.
Some swelling at the treatment site is not uncommon. Though extremely rare, hypo- and hyper-pigmentation, skin infection or minor scarring are possible. By following your practitioner’s post-treatment care instructions you will significantly decrease the risk of any adverse effects.
If you have any additional questions, call us at:
(434) 964-8714 in Charlottesville
(804) 997-2780 in Richmond
10% student discount on laser hair removal packages for UVA, JMU, PVCC, VCU, University of Richmond, Randolph-Macon College, Virginia Union University and other area schools. Ask about bridal packages, too.
Schedule your consultation at either location today.
