FAQs - Treatments

Q: What’s the difference between a chemical peel and a microdermabrasion?

A: Both treatments are professional exfoliations that remove superficial dead skin. A chemical peel is a liquid solution made up of different ingredients. Some chemical peel solutions are mixtures of different natural acids and chemical. Other chemical peels only consist of one potent ingredient (ex. Lactic Acid). The peel works by dissolving dead layers of skin.

Microdermabrasion doesn’t involve any ingredients, it is a machine that sends a pressurized spray of microcrystals against the skin and sucks the dead skin back into a filter. The best example is that it’s like pressure washing the skin but instead of water, crystals are used to buff the dead skin off. At the most, the skin is slightly red after a microdermabrasion, there is usually no peeling or flaking. It usually takes many more microdermabrasions to see the same result as fewer chemical peels will offer. Microdermabrasion should not be performed on skin with acne.

Q: Does your skin actually peel from a chemical peel?

A: Usually your skin does become dry and flaky from a chemical peel, however this does depend on individual skin type and the strength of the chemical peel solution. Usually the skin looks great the first 48 hours after the chemical peel and then it starts peel. The dryness and flaking usually lasts for 3-5 days. We recommend purchasing our post peel kit, which is a trial size kit of products that help control irritation and dryness from the peel.

Q: If the client doesn't experience peeling or sloughing of the skin after a chemical peel, was the treatment still effective?

A: Yes. When a light chemical exfoliation treatment is performed you may or may not get skin sloughing. There are many variables that will contribute to the skin's response. If the client does not peel, the treatment is still effective. The use of home care products, different prepping methods and treatment options will affect the outcome. Everyone responds differently to the acids used and each acid has different properties. Try changing the chemical exfoliant to get a different response from the skin. The skin can become resilient to the chemical exfoliants so it may be necessary to "outsmart" the skin by changing the treatment.

Q: Will I be able to go to work after a peel or microderm treatment?

A: Although it happens very rarely, some individuals can’t go to work after a peel because they tend to peel more than the average person and they also peel immediately. Some are more uncomfortable with the peeling than others. We recommend a first time appointment for a peel on a Wednesday, being that with most people, the peel very little, if at all the first 2 days, and then the greatest degree of peeling will take place over the weekend.

Q: Is there pain involved in a peel or microderm treatment?

A: Everyone’s pain threshold is different. Some of our peels can be experienced as uncomfortable, such as our Microderm w/Custom Peel or TCA Peel. Most clients feel the trade-off in terms of the excellent results these treatments offer definitely offsets the fact that there may be some discomfort involved.

Q: What can I do to ensure that laser skin rejuvenation treatments last?

A: A maintenance program will ensure continued results from your skin rejuvenation treatments. Along with this, we recommend changing any lifestyle factors which led to skin discoloration or premature aging to begin with. Factors such as smoking and sun exposure contribute to uneven skin tone and wrinkles, so post-treatment make sure to reduce the occurrence of these factors. In addition, the at-home use of our Urban Skin Rx products will greatly enhance the effects of your treatments.

Q: How should I prepare for my laser treatments?

A: Prior to the beginning of any laser hair removal or laser skin rejuvenation, it is important to avoid sun exposure and tanning salons.

If you are seeking to remove unwanted hair, it is important that you do not shave wax or tweeze the area to be treated. This will enable us to fully evaluate the hair color and growth patterns to recommend a proper course of treatment. However once you start your treatments you should always come in with area cleanly shaved, but not tweezed or waxed.

Q: Are lasers safe for tan and darker skin?

A: Not all lasers are safe for tan and darker skin. The 1064nm Yag Laser was developed specifically to work on tanned and darker skin. The only time a patient could suffer an adverse reaction to a Yag laser is if they were on a medication that they did not inform us of. It is extremely important to tell your laser technician if you have been put on any new medication since your last laser procedure, certain medication make the skin sensitive to heat and light

Q: Is there a laser that will remove hyper pigmentation (dark marks)?

A:/There is a laser called an IPL that does remove sun damage/hyperpigmentation on lighter skin tones. If you have uneven skin tone are dark marks from past injuries(ex. acne, razor bumps, burns, etc.) and have tan or darker skin, there unfortunately isn’t a laser that will safely remove the dark marks. Prescription skin lighteners combined with either chemical peel or microdermabrasions are the most effective way to fade hyperpigmentation on tan and darker skin types.

Q: Will the laser remove stretch marks?

A: The laser works best on reducing stretch marks that are less than 1 year old. The treatment is our laser skin tightening treatment. A series of five treatments are recommended, spaced 4 weeks apart. We also recommend using our Urban Skin Rx Retinol Renewal Body Serum, Glycolic Acid 15% Body Cream, and Even Tone Pads daily in conjunction with the laser treatments.

Q: What about laser correction of facial and leg veins, sometimes called spider veins?

A: Approximately 50% to 60% of men and women worldwide have unsightly leg veins. Facial telangiectasia and unsightly blood vessels on the face can affect both men and women. These can result from sun damage, smoking, heredity, hormones of other factors. Laser therapy with the Gently Yag is a proven protocol for treating unsightly broken capillaries and spider veins.

Q: Will I be able to go out or back to work after my laser treatment?

A: Yes! Most people do not experience any redness or soreness after a treatment. If there is any redness, it usually subsides after a few minutes.

Q: Is laser hair removal permanent?

A: Hair removal is one of the most popular laser-based aesthetic procedures since it can provide permanent reduction of unwanted hair. Lasers are well suited for the removal of unwanted hair because they can be used as a non-invasive method to disable the hair structure without damaging the surrounding skin. Numerous hair follicles can be treated simultaneously allowing for rapid coverage of large areas. This FDA approved treatment on average it takes between 6-8 treatments to achieve a 90-100% reduction, however most clients do have to return for touch-ups to maintain the permanent reduction. If a female has abnormal facial hair growth it is usually due to a heightened testosterone level (male hormone). In this case the female usually has to return for touch-ups 1-2 times a year after completing the initial 6-8 treatments. We highly suggest purchasing our discounted packages of 6 because anytime a laser hair removal package of 6 is purchased any treatments after the package is 50% off.

Q: Is there pain involved with laser hair removal?

A: The pain associated with laser hair removal as with laser skin rejuvenation is minimal and depends on your own personal pain tolerance threshold. Some clients report absolutely no discomfort, while some remark that the lasers feel similar to a rubber band being snapped against the skin. None of our clients have reported that the pain is intolerable. At worst, you can expect slight discomfort during treatment, and a slightly reddened or flushed appearance afterward, which is very temporary

Q: Do you remove keloids?

A: No.

Q: What is a Botox injection?

A: It’s purified Botulin Toxin A injected into your muscles (face and neck ones) to paralyze them and provide a more youthful appearance.

Q: Will it paralyze your face muscles and make you inexpressive?

A: No, it will act only on the muscles that produce the wrinkles but will allow you to frown or look surprised.

Q: Do Botox injections hurt?

A: You may feel a little discomfort or bruise but pain is minimal.

Q: How long does a normal treatment take?

A: It takes 10 to 15 minutes. There’s no need for a recovery period after Botox injections.

Q: How long do Botox injections’ effects last?

A: Usually the effect begins to fade and you’re gradually going to look as before the treatment after approximately 4 months.

Q: What is Juvéderm® ?

A: Juvederm is a dermal filler made up of Hyaluronic Acid in an injectable gel form. Its innovative manufacturing process gives Juvéderm its unique smooth-gel properties as well as an optimal gel structure that holds up over time.

Q: Will there be bruising?

A: If you usually bruise with injections, there may be bruising with Juvéderm injectable gel. If you take aspirin or ibuprofen every day, or if you supplement with omega 3's or fish oil every day, you should consider stopping those a few days before your appointment. If you do have bruising, it is fine to use cover-up makeup to hide it and it should completely resolve within a couple of days to a couple of weeks. If there is bruising, it does not diminish the effect of the Juvéderm injectable gel.

Q: Is there any down time?

A: No the injection is a quick office procedure and you can return immediately to your normal activities.

Q: How long does it last?

A: Juvéderm injectable gel should last between 6 months and 1 year. This does not guarantee that it will last that long, but the FDA allows Allergan, it’s manufacturer, to make that claim. It has been found that a second series with Juvéderm injectable gel will last substantially longer than the first.

Q: What is Radiesse®?

A: Radiesse® is an injectable dermal filler option that may be used to treat unwanted facial creases and deep wrinkles by augmentation of the underlying soft tissue. Radiesse can also be used to reshape and recontour the face in a non-surgical fashion. This filler is commonly used to treat the nasolabial fold (smile line) and to improve hollowed, flat or deflated areas of the face such as the cheeks or jowls. Providing a more vibrant and youthful look with minimal downtime, Radiesse is one of the most popular choices for an injectable filler. Radiesse is comprised of calcium hydroxylapatite, a naturally occurring substance found in the human body. Compared to Hyaluronic Acid fillers, such Juvederm, Radiesse produces more volume enhancement (plumping) per amount injected under the skin. Radiesse can produce long-term improvement with results that may last upwards of eighteen to twenty-four months on average.

Q: What is Radiesse made of?

A: Radiesse is primarily made of calcium hydroxylapatite, which is a naturally occurring substance found in the human body. However, it is synthetic, which means it is not derived from human or animal tissue. Therefore, there is no risk of infectious transmission and there is no need for skin testing.

Q: Who is a good candidate for Radiesse?

A: Good candidates for Radiesse injections individuals who are concerned with unwanted facial creases and deep wrinkles. One of the most popular areas for Radiesse treatment is the nasolabial fold, or smile line, that is formed by the border of the cheek and upper lip. Deepening of this crease can lead to an aged or tired appearance. Other patients desire Radiesse® injections to simply enhance or sculpt the overall shape of their face in a minimally invasive, nonsurgical manner. Many of these patients are unhappy with areas of the face that appear excessively hollowed, flat or deflated. For instance, Radiesse may be used to treat the cheek or jowls to fill in and plump out tissue that is showing signs of the aging process. By adding volume to the face with Radiesse, more shape and contour is created that, in turn, gives the appearance of looking more rested and youthful.

Q: How long does a Radiesse treatment take to perform?

A: The Radiesse injection usually takes less than thirty minutes to complete.

Q: What is the recovery like after Radiesse treatment?

A: Most patients will note mild swelling for twelve to twenty-four hours after Radiesse treatment and this can be minimized by using cold compresses. Bruising is quite rare and is typically only seen in patients incidentally taking low dose aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. During the first twelve to twenty-four hours after treatment, patients may be able to feel (but not see) the outline of the Radiesse under the skin. Within that period, the Radiesse quickly softens and blends into the soft tissue to leave you with a smooth, volume enhanced appearance. In some cases you will be instructed to massage the treated areas for an additional several days to maximize the results of the injections.

Q: When will I be able to return to work after undergoing Radiesse treatment?

A: Most patients can return to work and other normal activities within twenty-four hours after treatment.

Q: How long do the results of Radiesse last?

A: The results of Radiesse last upwards of eighteen to twenty-four months on average.

Q: Are your treatments safe?

A: In a word: Yes. Urban Skin Solutions prides itself on only offering services which are not only FDA-approved, but are proven to be safe by the millions of treatments that have been performed over many years. We use only the highest quality machines and treatment products, and our staff is exceptionally well-trained in administering the use of the both. While negative reactions to treatments are highly unlikely, we encourage you to discuss your concerns prior to the beginning of any treatment. Your individual situation will be evaluated before the very best course of treatment for you is recommended.