What can laser and IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments do for me?

They can reverse some of the damage that time and the sun’s UV rays have caused.  They can also permanently remove hair, eliminating the need to shave and wax.

 

Are these procedures safe?

The energy from lasers and intense pulsed light devices is non-ionizing, which means it does not cause damage to cellular DNA the way UV energy does.  Lasers produce energy that is equivalent to visible light, which is much lower in energy than UV rays.  In other words, medical lasers do not cause cancer.

 

How do they work?

For hair removal:  The device produces light energy at a specific wavelengths, which is selectively absorbed by the hair follicle.  This heats up and destroys the hair at the root.

For photorejuvenation:  The device produces light energy at a specific wavelengths, which is selectively absorbed by the red and brown age spots.  This heats up the pigment and breaks it up into smaller particles which eventually fall off the surface of the skin or get resorbed by the body’s white blood cells.

For spider veins:  The laser produces energy at one specific wavelength, which is selectively absorbed by the hemoglobin inside the spider veins.  This heats up the small amount of blood that is inside the vein and closes off the vein.

 

What is the difference between a laser and an IPL?

A laser produces energy that is a single wavelength.  An IPL produces energy that includes many wavelengths, and certain ones are filtered out to allow for more specific treatment of hair, pigment, or blood vessels.  An IPL also spreads the light over a larger section of skin, which makes treatments faster.

 

Does it hurt?

There is a little bit of discomfort involved.  It feels like a rubber band being snapped at you, but it lasts a fraction of a second, and most people do not need any sort of pain medication.

 

Are there side effects?

No medical procedure is completely free of side effects.  Occasionally, patients have some redness, swelling, and blistering similar to a mild sunburn, or some lightening or darkening of the skin; these are almost always temporary.  As with all medical procedures, there is a small chance a patient can have an infection or scarring, but we will give you instructions after your procedure to minimize these risks.

 

How much does _____ cost?

How long does _____ take?

On our price list page or over the phone you may be quoted a range of prices and times.  The price can be lower or higher if you are much smaller than average or much larger than average, because the time required may be very different.  When you come in for your free consultation, we can examine the area and give you an exact quote.  Please note that after 3 treatments, the rest are discounted because there are fewer hairs and the time required is reduced.

 

How many treatments are required?

For hair removal:  A minimum of 6 treatments, 2 – 6 weeks apart, but may be more depending on body part and your unique hair growth cycle.  You’ll notice dramatic hair reduction with the first treatment, but it’s important to treat the follicles again while they are weakened to prevent regrowth permanently, and to make sure we treat the some of the follicles that were dormant during the previous treatments.

For photorejuvenation:  5 treatments, 3 – 4 weeks apart.  With each treatment, the spots should get progressively lighter.

For spider veins:  1 – 3 treatments, 2 – 6 weeks apart, depending on number and size of veins.

 

Can anyone have these treatments?

Laser and IPL treatments are designed for both men and women of many skin types.  But there are no medical procedures that are safe for every patient.  These should be avoided during pregnancy or active infections, and if you are on certain medications.  Please schedule a free consultation to see if you are a candidate.

 

Can I be treated the same day I come in for the consultation?

Yes.  If you are fairly certain you would like the treatment, let us know when you schedule the consultation and we can book the appropriate amount of time.

 

Can I go back to work right after a treatment?

These treatments are commonly known as “lunchtime procedures” because there is no downtime.  Most coworkers will not notice any adverse changes.

 

How long do these treatments last?

After you finish the series of treatments, the pigmented or vascular lesions that are removed will not come back.  But continued exposure to the sun may cause new ones to form.  Permanent hair reduction is permanent for the most part, but patients occasionally need touch-up treatments every year or two.

 

Do I need to do anything before the treatments?

For hair removal:  The light works best if there is an active follicle to target, so we suggest you don’t pluck, wax, or do electrolysis for 6 weeks before the procedure.  Shaving is okay; in fact, we suggest you shave any hairs longer than 2 mm to prevent the extra length of hair from acting like a heat sink and causing discomfort to the skin.  If you cannot shave a certain body part or do not have anyone to shave it for you, we can do it here before the treatment.  There may be a small charge if we need to shave a large area such as a back.

For hair removal and photorejuvenation:  Avoid sun exposure for at least 4 weeks before the procedure.  This will prevent the energy that is meant for the hair follicle or pigment spots from being absorbed by the surrounding darkened skin.

 

What kind of training does Dr. Lee have?

Dr. Lee is board certified in internal medicine and has been providing primary care for her patients in this office for 4 years.  There are no additional formal certification requirements for physicians doing laser treatments, but Dr. Lee has taken about 40 hours of classes and is considered to be "certified" by the company that manufactures the laser.

 

Will I be guaranteed my privacy?

Yes, during all doctors’ visits, you have a right to privacy.  This is governed by HIPAA, a set of privacy standards that apply to all health information.  In fact, even other patients in the waiting room won’t know whether you’re here for a routine medical visit or a cosmetic visit.

 

Will my insurance cover these treatments?

No, these are cosmetic treatments and not covered by insurance.  Payment is expected at the time of treatment.  We accept cash, check, or credit card (Visa and MC).

 

Why do you charge a cancellation fee?

We only charge it if you do not give us enough warning for us to schedule another patient.  These procedures take a fair amount of time, and we are booking that time exclusively for you.  We will not charge it if there was an emergency beyond your control.  We instituted this policy hoping we would never have to use it; we are hoping that this policy will remind you to call earlier if you need to cancel an appointment.

 

Why doesn't your office look like other spas?

Laser and intense light treatments are medical procedures and should be done by medical professionals.  Spas are great for massages, but they often do not have a doctor on the premises while a nurse or technician is doing the procedures.  Dr. Lee will do all of the consultations and treatments herself; she has decided to spend the money on technology and training rather than on fancy furniture.

 

What is the next step?

Call us to schedule a free consultation to see what these treatments can do for you!

 

Please do not hesitate to ask us for more detail regarding any of these questions, or any additional questions not covered by this list.

Frequently asked questions

Donna Lee, M.D.

3005 Silver Creek Road

Suite 158

San Jose, CA 95121

408-270-3877

Donna Lee, M.D.

Internal Medicine and Aesthetic Medicine