Ethos Spa offers a complete line of aesthetic services for customers in the communities of Morris County, Essex County, Union County, Passaic County and Sussex County, New Jersey (NJ). Ethos Skin and Laser Center of Northern New Jersey (NJ) is located near the municipalities of Millburn, Short Hills, West Orange, Chatham, Madison, Caldwell, Maplewood, Morristown, North Caldwell, West Caldwell, Florham Park, Summit, Randolph, Parsippany, Springfield, South Orange, Westfield, Verona, East Hanover, Roseland, Chester, Bernardsville, and Montclair New Jersey.
Laser hair removal is one of the foundations of Ethos Medical Spa’s advanced cosmetic laser capabilities. All hair removal procedures at Ethos begin with a complimentary consultation with one of our physician, where you can learn more about these procedures and what they can do for you. Patients often have their first procedure following their consultation. Only physicians specializing in aesthetic procedures and experienced in the use of the equipment perform laser hair removal at Ethos.
Prior to treatment, you should avoid skin irritants or tanning. Use sunscreen, especially when outdoors. Discontinue use of topical irritating agents such as retinoic acid 2 to 3 days before treatment. Prior to the consultation, it is best to not remove hair in the prospective treatment area so the physician can see the hair characteristics and density. After your first treatment, we prefer you shave the area to be treated the night before your next visit, to reduce any inflammation that may ensue. It is preferable for hair to be no more than 1-2 mm (1-2 days growth) at the time of the procedure. For men having laser hair removal performed on their backs, it is important to have the back shaved either the day prior to, or the morning of the treatment. Whether on the back or other area, it is not uncommon for men to seek to thin out, rather than permanently remove body hair. Clients should arrive for treatment with clear skin, preferably with no creams, lotion or makeup on. We will cleanse your face or other area of treatment in the event that you do not.
Several different types of lasers are utilized for hair removal. At Ethos Spa, we have the 810 nm diode laser and the 1064 nm Nd:Yag laser. We utilize the diode laser for the lighter skin types from Fitzpatrick skin type I, II, III and IV, which would include most Caucasians from various different ethnic backgrounds. We use the 1064 Yag laser for darker skin types such as some South Americans, Asians, and African Americans have. Another laser which our clients may have used before and is popular is the alexandrite laser. Our diode laser is safer and just as effective.
Everyone responds individually to laser hair treatments. Most people state discomfort is manageable and no worse than waxing. At Ethos, we utilize a topical anesthetic such as lidocaine to lessen any discomfort you may experience from the treatment. Leave yourself an extra 30 minutes for the numbing process. Some clients prefer to not have numbing and do not feel any pain from the treatments. Many liken the sensation to the snap of a warm rubber band. We will adjust the treatment parameters based on your individual threshold
We also utilize post procedural cooling with SynerCool technology to decrease incidence of complications due to excessive heat injury. We recommend clients use sunscreen throughout their treatment, especially when going outdoors. Notify your physician if you notice any crusting, blistering, excessive redness or swelling
Follow a few simple rules to help your treatments be as successful as possible. It is most important to limit sun exposure prior to and throughout your hair removal treatments. Though our newer laser can perform hair removal on tanned skin, we prefer that the client wait 2 weeks after a tan has faded to begin treatment. We also recommend against using tanning salons. Tanning booths can increase the chances of complications from laser hair removal, such as pigment changes in the skin, as well as decrease the effectiveness of the treatments. In addition, we advise clients against plucking, threading or waxing for one to two weeks before treatment begins, since the presence of the hair in the follicle is important for its removal. There is no need to let hair grow long before the treatment. Bleaching, shaving, and depilatory creams between treatments are permissible. Finally, it is very important to use sunscreen during the treatments, especially if the treatments are on an uncovered area of the skin such as the face, because sun exposure without protection can lead to skin sensitivity and pigment changes.
Laser hair removal can be used on any skin type and hair type. However, the results may vary. The ideal candidate is someone with fair skin and coarse, dark hair. With the advent of the newer lasers, it is possible to safely and effectively treat all skin types including those of Latinos, Asians and African Americans. Lighter hair colors may require more treatment. Skin typing is based on eye color, hair color, reaction to sun, and ethnic background. Our physician will determine your skin type prior to your treatments. The physician uses the skin typing to help adjust the settings to employ on the laser for your treatment.
Lasers are highly effective in removing hair. However, an understanding of skin types, laser physics, and tissue interaction is important to prevent complications. Immediately after the treatment you may notice redness and some swelling around the hair follicle. This is normal and will resolve in a few hours, though it can take up to a day. Some clients may also experience a burning sensation similar to a sunburn. At Ethos Medical Spa, we aim to deliver results in a safe and effective manner, and only physicians operate the laser. However, complications such as blistering, hypopigmentation (an area of lighter skin) and hyperpigmentation (an area of darker skin) can occur. Rarely, permanent scarring has also been reported.
While laser hair removal can be used on any skin color and hair color, we will not perform laser hair removal on clients with certain contraindications, due to increased risk of complications. These contraindications include:
Pacemaker or internal defibrillator
Superficial metal or other implants in treatment area
Current history of skin cancer or pre-malignant moles
Severe concurrent medicals problems such as uncontrolled diabetes or heart disease
Pregnancy and nursing
Impaired immune system from medications or diseases such as HIV
Diseases which may be stimulated by light, such as porphyria, epilepsy, or lupus
Recurrent herpes infection in treatment area (Such clients may be treated after a prophylactic anti-viral regimen)
Any active sores, eczema, psoriasis or rash in treatment area
History of abnormal bleeding or medications which affect the blood such as anti-coagulants
Use of medications known to induce light sensitivity within last 6 months to 1 year, such as Accutane, and St John's Wort or tetracyclines within last 2 weeks.
Visit Ethos Spa, Skin and Laser Center to schedule your complimentary consultation with one of our physicians.
