Facial hair is sexy (when it’s on a man) …

Brown spots are cute (when it’s the fur of an adorable puppy) …

And veins are pretty cool (when you have a killer pump at the gym) …

But when you are a female and have hair sprouting out on your chin and upper lip, dark spots on your face and body, and blue and green veins spread out like tiny little cobwebs under the skin— that’s not so sexy, cute or cool.

Luckily, you don’t have to carry around tweezers to pluck away your chin hairs, a razor to shave your lady stache, or concealer to attempt to cover up spots and veins. Some non-invasive aesthetic treatments offer long-term results in a matter of minutes with minimal downtime.

Whether you are concerned with dark spots and unsightly veins or just have some unwanted hair you are sick of plucking, waxing or shaving, this article is your ultimate guide for the best and most successful non-invasive aesthetic treatments to improve your skin.

Best Methods For Getting Rid Of Brown Spots

For many reasons, women (and men) can have discolored patches pop up on their skin. Aging, excess sun exposure, conditions such as melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and even scars from acne can cause skin discolorations.

Some topical medical-grade skin care products can help, but the two best methods to get rid of these dark spots that pop up on the face and body are laser skin resurfacing treatments using a pigmented laser treatment and a non-laser patented cooling technology called Glacial Rx™.

PIGMENTED LASER TREATMENTS

Pigmented laser treatments go deep into the outer layers of the skin (something serums and creams can’t do) to get rid of old, damaged skin and produce new skin cells to reduce pigmentation problems and spots.

There are several types of lasers we can use for pigmented laser treatment. The one we most typically use is the Candela® GentleLASE. This fractional laser system uses two separate laser devices to deliver either superficial or deep skin treatment.

We like using this laser because it keeps skin cool and has a lower risk of side effects compared to other lasers. During your consultation, we can discuss all the lasers we have and which would be the best for your unique needs.

Regardless of the laser used, the treatment process is similar for all pigmented laser treatments. During the short resurfacing procedure, a local anesthetic is applied and then a board-certified doctor, nurse or esthetician uses a laser to destroy the outer layers of skin that are damaged in a controlled manner until the appropriate depth of skin is reached.

Once your treatment is complete, an antibiotic cream and bandage are applied to the treatment area. This will help the healing process, minimize swelling, and control infection risk.

You will head home a little red and tender, and the treated area might “ooze” a little bit. You will also be asked to rest, take it easy, and avoid excess movement for a few days. Recovery time varies, but typically patients should plan 2-4 weeks for complete healing.

This healing window is when the magic happens as the destruction of the older layers of skin prompts the body to generate a new layer of skin cells unaffected by the previous skin condition. The treated spots will slowly return to your natural-looking skin within 1 to 2 weeks.

Many patients only need one treatment, but depending on the darkness of the spots, a second session may be required.

GLACIAL RX™

If you are looking for a heat and laser-free solution to get rid of dark spots on the skin, Glacial Rx™ is a first-of-its-kind technology that banishes age spots with cooling technology to reveal younger-looking skin.

Glacial Rx™ uses a patented cooling technology called Cryomodulation™ that normalizes melanin production and reduces inflammation to effectively and comfortably remove age spots without any heat from lasers or downtime.

Basically, this revolutionary treatment freezes away excess pigment that causes these spots to appear. If this method sounds familiar, it is likely because it was developed by the same innovators who invented CoolSculpting®.

The treatment is not only painless; many of our patients actually say they enjoy the cooling feeling on the skin. There is also no need to worry about downtime. You can come in on your lunch break and return to work and other everyday activities immediately.

The number of Glacial Rx™ treatments needed and results will vary based on the severity, number of brown spots, and patient goals. However, most people only need one treatment and see full results within 1-2 months after treatment.

In addition to removing brown spots, Glacial Rx can also even skin tone, brighten skin and reduce redness.

OTHER TREATMENTS FOR BROWN SPOTS

Chemical Peels

A series of chemical peels are also an option for reducing the appearance of dark spots. During this medispa treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin that provides deep exfoliation, improving the skin’s texture and tone. Typically, a series of 6 treatments are performed spread out over several months.

Clarity II Laser

This laser is typically used to remove unwanted hair, which we will dive deep into in the next section. But it is also an excellent choice for skin pigmentation issues like dark spots. It is fast, pain-free and suitable for all skin types.

Click here to read more about getting rid of brown spots and the methods we use here at The Lett Center.

Most Successful Ways To Get Rid Of Unwanted Hair

Whether it’s hairs popping up on your face due to hormonal reasons or you are just sick of shaving, laser hair removal is the best way to reduce hair forever!

Notice that we say reduce and not permanently destroy. While those that are good candidates for laser hair removal report a 90 percent permanent reduction in hair growth, with most experiencing hair removal that lasts several months, if not years, further maintenance laser treatments might be needed for long-term hair reduction.

This is because hair grows in cycles, and fluctuating hormones can make the lasered hair grow back. The good news is that if it does grow back, it’s usually much less hair, finer and lighter in color.

We use three types of hair removal lasers here at The Lett Center in Mt. Juliet & Lebanon, TN — Clarity II, Candela® GentleYAG and the Candela® GentleLASE (which we talked about above as an option for reducing dark spots.)

These lasers use slightly different technology, but all three work similarly to target the hair follicle and damage it, either inhibiting all further growth or delaying future growth. All three are also quick and relatively painless, especially in comparison to electrolysis.

There are a few key differences between the three hair removal lasers. Here’s a helpful breakdown of each machine and method.

CLARITY II

If you’ve previously been told that you are not an ideal candidate for laser hair removal or you’ve tried other treatments with little to no results, the Clarity II laser is something you should consider.

This new technology is the latest addition to the variety of laser hair removal treatments at the Lett Center. It is safe on all skin types, removes hair up to 2x faster and can target even the finest, thinnest, lightest hair. It can also treat larger areas in less time with effective, safe and gentle results.

CANDELA® GENTLEYAG

GentleYAG is an infrared laser that slowly delivers invisible heat energy deep into the skin and hair follicles. This laser also uses patented cryogen cooling technology that keeps the upper layers of the skin cool and protected, which reduces pain and the risk of burns.

This same laser can be used for skin tightening and treating very small leg veins.

CANDELA® GENTLELASE

This laser produces an intense but gentle burst of light that selectively fragments and removes dark hair with minimal harm to the surrounding skin.

The laser energy interacts with pigment (melanin) in the hair root, so it is best suited for those with lighter skin but darker body hair, as very fair hairs have little or no melanin in them and do not absorb light as well as darker hair.

This method also delivers a similar “cooling feature” as GentleYAG. During the procedure, a burst of cryogen is sent to the skin to cool the area and give the patient a more comfortable experience.

While the GentleLASE is mainly used for hair removal on those with light skin and dark hair, this machine can also treat wrinkles, freckles, and, as outlined above, pigmented lesions such as dark spots.

ADVANTAGES OF LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Whatever laser you choose, all three are a relatively pain-free and convenient way to get rid of unwanted hair with little to no downtime. You can expect your skin to be smoother and “bump-free” compared to shaving and other hair removal methods.

One of the biggest advantages of laser hair removal over something like waxing is that you will no longer have to time date nights or pool days around your wax! Laser hair removal treatments do not require growing your hair out. In fact, we ask that you shave the night before or the morning of your treatment.

If you’re tired of dealing with unwanted hair, contact the Lett Center today, and we can help you decide which hair removal method is best for you and your skin type. You can also read more about these treatments here.

Say Goodbye To Unsightly Veins

If you’ve noticed tiny blue or green “tree branch” looking veins on your legs or face, these are spider veins, also often referred to as broken capillaries (telangiectasia.)

These visible groups of tiny blood vessels that sit just under the skin’s surface can pop up due to genetic and hormonal factors, as well as aging, obesity, and sun damage. While they can occur anywhere on the body, these veins are most commonly found on and around the nose, cheeks, and legs.

Spider veins shouldn’t be confused with varicose veins. Spider veins do not require medical treatment and are removed solely for aesthetic reasons. In contrast, varicose veins can create health concerns, and their removal is often deemed medically necessary.

Laser therapy is a non-invasive, safe, and effective way to simply, safely, and successfully eliminate spider veins with no downtime. Several different lasers can be used to treat visible veins. Each laser is relatively painless and typically requires very little downtown; however, they all work a little bit differently.

Here are some of the most effective and popular vein lasers we offer at The Lett Center.

CLARITY II

As outlined above, the advanced technology of the Clarity II laser is an excellent option for hair removal to reduce the appearance of dark spots. Still, it is also one of the most popular new lasers to treat vascular lesions, especially if you have dark skin. The Clarity II laser is gentle and suitable for all skin types.

The Clarity II vein removal method differs from other lasers in that it employs something called IntelliTrak Technology, a method in which energy is delivered at a constant speed to ensure that spider vein removal is consistent.

In addition, the Clarity II laser also uses temperature sensing technology that consistently measures your skin’s surface temperature levels, furthering the safety and efficacy of your spider vein treatment.

You can expect the appearance of leg veins to dramatically fade or disappear right before your eyes during the treatment. That said, everyone responds differently to treatment, with some needing only one treatment and others requiring a series of two or three more treatments.

Aside from being asked to avoid direct sun exposure for about two weeks before and after the treatment and avoid exercise for 24 hours after laser hair removal, there is no other downtime required. You might experience some temporary redness and swelling. This will fade during the healing process, which can take anywhere from two weeks to two months.

V-BEAM

This unique laser can be used anywhere on the body but is most commonly used to treat small spider veins in the face. It is a pulsed dye laser that delivers intense, quick bursts of gentle light wavelengths that selectively destroy the blood vessels of vascular lesions without damaging the surrounding skin and tissue.

The light is absorbed explicitly by only the blood vessels in the dermis. The energy from the laser coagulates blood and vessels, which are later reabsorbed by your body during the natural healing process.

Essentially, V-Beam takes the red out, making it an excellent option for other issues, such as red stretch marks and for controlling redness and facial flushing from Rosacea.

Most patients say the V-Beam procedure is relatively painless, comparing it to the snapping of a rubber band on the skin, and there is also minimal downtime. You will be asked to avoid direct sun exposure before and throughout the treatment. You might leave with a bit of swelling, redness and slight bruising. Still, these minor irritations should resolve over the course of about one week.

In terms of how many treatments you will need, some conditions improve significantly after just one or two V-Beam treatments, whereas some other conditions may require three to five sessions for full resolution.

Conclusion

You may have noticed that some of these non-invasive, quick, and relatively painless laser procedures overlap and can treat more than one skin issue you might be facing. They are also effective for treating scars from acne, birthmarks, moles, and tattoos. They are also used to help reduce wrinkles and help tighten skin that has lost elasticity due to aging.

We understand that with so many lasers out there that help cure brown spots, visible veins and hair removal, it may be a lot to take in. Our aesthetic team would love for you to come in for a consultation so that we can assess your skin tone and problem areas to ensure you receive the proper treatment from the suitable laser that will be the most effective and not cause damage to your skin type.

To schedule a facial laser treatment consultation and meet the experienced and highly reviewed aesthetic and cosmetic surgeons at The Lett Center, call us at 615.443.0901.