PRE-TREATMENT PROTOCOL

Areas within your reach, such as legs, bikini, arms, underarms, and chest must be shaved the day prior to, or the day of your treatment; areas not within your reach will be shaved at Smooth Endings the day of your treatment. You should refrain from tweezing, waxing, electrolysis, or bleaching for as long as you can before the treatment. (Please don't panic if you have facial hair! During your first session, together we will find a way to keep you looking good between appointments.) If possible, we ask that you arrive without makeup, deodorant, or moisturizer on the area that will be treated — but if unavoidable, we will remove it before your treatment. If you are tanned, you must lose it before coming in for a treatment. Treating a tanned body is a definite no, because of the high risk associated with unwanted skin changes post-treatment. We will not risk our reputation, and you shouldn't be willing to risk the condition of your skin.

POST-TREATMENT PROTOCOL

Immediately after the treatment, most people experience some pinkness at the treatment site. This is a normal reaction and may last several minutes to a full day.  It is usual for the legs to remain pink for 24-48 hours, while the lip normally returns to normal within 10 minutes. Other reactions are feeling itchy or like you have a mild sunburn. An application of a chilled moisturizer is applied immediately after treatment for your comfort. These reactions are within normal range, easy to deal with, and a small price to pay for the final outcome.

Makeup may be used safely immediately after the treatment. Moisturizer helps the dead hair exfoliate, so clients are advised to include moisturizing the treated areas into their daily grooming habits.

Avoid sun exposure, including tanning beds, to reduce the chance of darkening or lightening the skin.  A Broad Spectrum sunscreen of SPF60 should be used at all times during the course of the treatment. When your treatments are completed, to protect you from aging and burning harmful rays, you may switch to an SPF45. You have nothing more to gain from extended sun exposure than premature aging and the potential risk of developing skin cancer.

Tweezing, waxing and electrolysis during your treatments will not harm you, but they will slow down the process, costing you additional time and money. In most cases, five to thirty days after the treatment, shedding of the hair may occur. This is not new hair growth, but dead hair pushing its way out of the follicle. You can help the hairs exfoliate by taking warm showers, assisted by a loofa sponge or a washcloth. Laser hair removal will offer amazing results, but you must keep in mind that it isn’t an over-night process. Patience, time and trust in Donna, will be beneficial to your well being and outcome.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

How does laser hair removal work?
The laser targets the melanin pigment (the color) in the hair follicle. Since melanin is only produced in the anagen (growth) phase of the hair, the laser must target the hair follicle during this phase. At any given time, 10-20% of the hair in a particular area may be in a growth phase. Therefore, more than one treatment needs to be scheduled. With multiple treatments, all hair follicles can be disabled. 

How many treatments will be needed?
For effective permanent hair removal, most people require approximately 4 to 6 treatments to achieve the desired results. The number of sessions required also depends on the color and condition of a client's skin, as well as the coarseness, density and color of the client's hair.

Who performs the procedure?
All laser treatments are performed only by Donna Trimboli, who has over 22 years of experience in laser hair removal and is certified by the industry's educational leaders.

Are there any risks or side effects?
Risks are minimal. There is no recovery or down time, and clients can return to their normal activities immediately. After the treatment, you may experience a slight reddening of the skin similar to a sunburn that will resolve within a few minutes to a few days.

Are the results permanent?
Results vary depending on skin and hair type. Studies have shown that many clients can achieve permanent hair reduction of up to 85-90% and remaining hair returns lighter and softer.

Will I have to use any topical anesthetic before my treatment?
At Smooth Endings, we do not use topical anesthetics before or during treatment. In most cases it is not recommended to use any topical numbing preparations (prescription or non-prescription) prior to laser hair removal. The DCD (Dynamic Cooling Device) that the laser is equipped with eliminates the need for any topical numbing preparations. Before every laser pulse, cryogen (a cooling agent) is automatically sprayed onto the skin within the laser field that protects and partially numbs that area. This makes the treatment safer and more comfortable.

How long will the procedure take?
Any area can be treated faster than with any other laser on the market because the GentleLASE™ uses an 18mm spot size (about the size of a quarter). This technology, combining the larger spot size coupled with more hertz (power), means a faster and more effective treatment. A small area such as the lip will take 5 minutes, and a large area such as the full legs, will take an hour.

Is it safe?
Laser treatments are very safe. The Gentlelase™ is FDA approved and uses the best technology for delivering the safest treatment.

Is it safe for darker skin types?
Highly pigmented clients, or those clients who aren't sure if they still have a tan, will require a 2-minute spot test. Within 48 hours, we will determine if laser hair removal is a safe alternative for your skin type.

How much does it cost?
Prices are quoted per area, so please call or see the Fee page for an estimated cost.  The cost will vary according to the treatment plan, areas to be treated, and the amount of hair. Clients may pay per treatment, but we also offer package and multiple-area discounts.

Can any area be treated?
Any and all  areas can be treated, with the exception of the under portion of the eyebrow. While some companies might choose to treat that area, Smooth Endings maintains its decision based on the safety aspect. Laser is most effective on dark, course hair; in addition, it is an excellent treatment for ingrown hairs. 

Will I experience hair growth between my treatments?
The goal is that you never have to shave again once you start your treatments. Generally, treatments are scheduled around growth cycles, so if you keep to your treatment schedules, you should never have to shave. Since treatment times could vary, you may see some growth between appointments. 

Why is laser a better option over IPL or electrolysis?
With electrolysis, each hair is individually destroyed within each follicle. A laser has a much greater coverage area, and will penetrate several follicles with each pulse. While electrolysis can eliminate fine and light hairs, the result of a laser treatment is faster, less painful and more manageable. An IPL is more effective for pigmentation problems or skin conditioning treatments.

What will I experience during the treatment?
The treatment room is very comfortable, modern and calming. Most clients engage in conversation, and the procedure goes quickly. Once you are comfortable on the table, only the area being treated will be exposed; all other areas will be covered with a towel or blanket. The level of professionalism is extremely high, and clients are treated with respect and consideration of any anxieties they might have. During the session, you will wear special eyewear to ensure protection from the laser light. A small handheld piece of equipment will gently touch the skin; and a small amount of cool spray is emitted before the pulse of laser light. This procedure is repeated over the entire area that is being treated.                    

Is the Laser Painful?
Pain is a common initial concern for many clients. Gentlelase™ uses a special cooling system that lowers the temperature of the skin at the treatment site before, during, and after laser exposure. Therefore, the treatment is generally well tolerated. Some clients describe the treatment as a sensation similar to the snap of a rubber band and "much less painful than the waxing I used to subject myself to." 
The amount of the discomfort felt varies from one client to another. Most clients tolerate the treatments well, due to the Dynamic Cooling Device, the speed of the laser and the large spot size, which covers an area about the size of a quarter in just one pulse. Some areas will sting a little more than waxing, but the fabulous part of this is there's a beginning, middle and an end.
 

Because the health and safety of every client of Smooth Ending’s is of upmost importance to us, we commit to the following protocols:

• The staff tests twice weekly.

• We have always implemented a thorough sterilization process of the treatment room - in addition to the use of gloves and masks for each client’s visit.

• We see every client at their scheduled appointment time — eliminating the possibility of coming into contact with another person.

• Contactless payments are standard practice.

Thank you for showing up on time, and, cancelling your appointment if you’re feeling unwell.