A chemical peel uses a chemical solution to remove layers of skin, revealing the more youthful skin underneath. Chemical peels can reduce or improve fine lines and wrinkles, acne, scars, uneven skin coloring and other skin imperfections. Chemical peels vary in strength from superficial, medium, and deep. Different chemicals determine the depth of your peel and type of skin condition treated. Chemical peels are typically done in a series of 3-5 peels spaced several weeks apart to achieve optimal results. Maintenance is usually needed to keep desired results.  

The most common conditions treated with chemical peels include:

• Fine lines

• Acne

• Mild scarring

• Sun spots, age spots, liver spots, freckles, uneven skin coloring

• Precancerous spots such as actinic and sebhorreic keratosis

• Rough skin, scaly patches, dull complexion

• Melasma

• Improve tone and texture of skin

• If you have insurance, the lab will bill your insurance and you will be responsible for any cost insurance does not cover. This is billed directly from the lab. 
• If you do not have insurance or you have a high deductible, we work with a lab that has low cost lab panels. Lab tests may be limited from this lab. Your cost depends on the test ordered. You will pay our clinic and we pay the lab on your behalf. 
• If it is a point of care test (done in office) we will run the test in our CLIA waived lab. Cost depends on the test requested. You will pay our clinic. We do not accept any type of insurance, but we do accept HSA as a form of payment. 

We use a Diode 808 laser. Our diode laser has contact cooling technology that pulls water into the treatment piece and cools it to deliver painless treatment. The energy from the laser is picked up by the pigment from the hair follicle causing destruction of the root. This is ideal for unwanted, darker hair.

You will need anywhere from 4-12 treatments, spaced 4-6 weeks apart, to achieve desired initial results. It is important to attend all sessions. Most people see results after 6-8 sessions. 

Laser hair removal is not always permanent. Sometimes the hair can grow back after a period of time. It is recommended to get maintenance treatments every 6-12 months to maintain optimal results.

Laser hair removal is generally safe, however, there is a risk of burns, blistering, pigment changes, scaring, and redness. 

The laser cannot go over tattooed skin due to a risk of burns. 

Before your treatment you must shave (not wax or tweeze) the area so that the laser can target the root of the hair instead of any hair on the skin, as the the laser can singe the hair which can cause a burn. Do not bleach any hair for 1 month prior to treatments as the laser is attracted to pigment. You will need to avoid excessive sun exposure in the areas to be treated prior to your procedure. Additionally, any photosensitizing medications will need to be stopped 1 week before your treatment as well as any skin care products with strong active ingredients such as retinoids, AHA, or BHA. After your treatment you will want to wear sunscreen or cover the treated areas. Between treatments, you will want to shave the hair, do not wax, pluck, or thread.

• Redness
• Tenderness
• Blistering
• Swelling
• Crusting/Scabs
• Bruising
• Hyperpigmentation
• Hypopigmentation

PRE-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS 

• Sun exposure, including tanning beds and the application of sunless tanning products, must be avoided for 2 weeks prior and after the treatment, preferably 4 weeks. Sun exposure, tanning, and sunless tanning products decrease the effectiveness of the laser treatment and increase the chance of post-treatment complications. 
• A pre-treatment kit containing topical lidocaine and Tegaderm film can be picked up during business hours prior to your scheduled appointment. Please apply the lidocaine 30-60 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment and cover with either the provided Tegaderm film or some plastic wrap. 
• Accutane and any other photosensitizing medication should be discontinued for a period of at least 6 months prior to receiving treatment and should not be used during your course of treatment.
• Waxing and/or the use of chemical depilatories must be avoided in the treatment area for 2 weeks before and after the treatment to avoid skin sensitivity. Shaving is allowed before treatment to remove surface hair in the areas to be treated. 
• You must not be pregnant for any treatment. 
• During the course of your treatments, notify the provider of any changes to your medical history, health status, or personal activities that may be relevant to your treatment.

POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS 

• Immediately after treatment, there may be “frosting” on the area that was treated. Redness and swelling is typical. Pinpoint bleeding may also occur. 
• A cool compress may be applied and Tylenol is recommended for discomfort. 
• The treated area should be cared for delicately until healing is complete and care should be taken to avoid trauma to the area for the first 7 days after treatment. 
• Clean the treated area twice per day with a gentle cleanser and allow water or shower to run over the wound, and then pat the area dry. Do NOT scrub the area. 
• Apply a healing ointment such as: Aquaphor, Bacitracin, or Vaseline to wound area 2-3 times a day. Keep the area moist, and let the scabs fall off on their own. 
• Cover the treated area with a nonstick gauze (after ointment is applied) until the wound is healed. Do NOT pick, peel, rub, scrub, or scratch at the skin in the treatment area throughout the healing process. If crusting occurs, do not shave or pick area. 
• Blisters and scabs can be a normal response to tattoo removal, although some patients may not experience them. In the case that you do, it is important not to pop or pick at them. If the blister pops on its own, keep the skin over it covered with a healing ointment and gauze to promote healing and prevent scarring. 
• No swimming or using hot tubs/whirlpools until the wound heals. 
• Don’t apply makeup or any potentially irritating product on treated skin while it heals.
• Avoid shaving treated areas unless the skin is healed.
• Physical exercise that causes perspiration should be discontinued for at least 2-7 days after treatment as excessive perspiration may disrupt the healing process. 
• Avoid sun exposure. When treatment area is exposed to the sun use a thick layer of 30+ SPF sunblock with zinc oxide and reapply every 2 hours. 
• A follow up treatment session can be scheduled 6-8 weeks later if the area is completely healed. 
• Please contact us if you feel the area is not healing as expected or if you have questions or concerns. 

Microneedling
Also called percutaneous collagen induction therapy, microneedling is a procedure where multiple tiny needles are used to make microscopic punctures in the skin. This stimulates the skin to repair itself through a process called dermal remodeling. The inflammation, caused by the skin’s attempts to heal the punctures placed with the microneedling tool stimulates the skin to produce new collagen. Collagen is the elastic fibers that make the skin tight and smooth. Collagen naturally declines as we age. Microneedling can help improve the skin’s tone and texture through stimulating new collagen growth. It is also used to help topical skin treatments penetrate the skin more effectively.

Microneedling is often used to reduce or eliminate:

• Stretch marks

• Scars

• Enlarged pores

• Fine lines and wrinkles

• Hyperpigmentation

You will need several sessions to see optimal results during your initial treatment period. Best results occur 3-6 months following your treatments as the new collagen develops. People typically need 3-5 sessions initially, spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Once you have completed your initial set of treatments, your results should last 1-2 years. It is recommended to have a touch-up session every 6-12 months once you have completed your initial set of treatment sessions in order to maintain results.