How many treatments will I need?

Tattoo removal does take time and you need to have realistic expectations and this will be reviewed during your complimentary consultation. For full removal, it can be between 6- 12 sessions. For a partial removal, where you would be covering it up with another tattoo, can take anywhere from 2-6 sessions. Black ink tattoos are the best to remove. Not all colors respond the same and may take a while longer to remove. There are many factors that go into the amount of treatments you may need:

• Skin type
• Age of tattoo
• Ink colours
• Ink saturation
• Location on body
• Scarring

Will it leave a scar?

The treatments are done 6 weeks apart so the body has time to heal and the immune system has time to flush out the ink particles form your last session. It is important to lead a healthy active lifestyle during and after your treatments. This will impact the success and speed of the ink removal process. Drinking lots of water, exercising regularly, staying out of the sun, using a 50+ sunscreen, limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, refraining from smoking, is everything we encourage so you get the best results. We will go over all the post care during your consultation.

What should I avoid before starting treatment?

The sun, spray tan & self-tanners, for at least three weeks before treatment. If you don’t, you are at risk of hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) or hypopigmentation (loss of colour). Cover the tattoo or wear a factor 50+ sunscreen.Refrain from using aspirin products for seven days prior and after your treatments. Also, to be avoided two days prior are herbal supplements, penicillin and fish oils as they may cause swelling.

How does the tattoo removal process work?

The PicoWay laser emits light energy into the targeted tattoo that then shatters the ink into tiny pieces. These tiny pieces are then taken away by the lymphatic system and removed through body waste.

What makes the PicoWay laser the best on the market?

The PicoWay has a very fast pulse duration which operates with picosecond technology, picosecond meaning one trillionth of a second. The industry standard used to be the Q-Switched laser that operates in nanosecond technology, nanosecond meaning one billionth of a second. The PicoWay has more than double the amount of peak power than other Pico competitors on the market. Peak power meaning the power that causes the photoacoustic effect that breaks up the ink into smaller particles. This makes it a game changer, the smaller the pieces the faster it will move through the body to be eliminated. With the short pulses it also means less heat is going into the body which makes it safer and more comfortable. It has three wavelengths that each target specific colors.

1. 532nm — works on red, orange, yellow, violet and brown.
2. 785nm — PicoWay is the only machine that has this wavelength, it targets blue and green inks.
3. 1064nm — works on black ink

What to expect during the facial?

During the procedure, medical grade black carbon powder will be applied onto the face or back. It will absorb the dead skin on the upper layer of the skin, as well as the dirt deep inside of the pores. When the laser is used, it breaks the carbon into pieces, taking away the dead skin and cleaning the pores in the process. At the same time, laser energy delivers heat into the deep layer of the skin which will help tighten pores and stimulate collagen production.

Is it painful?

Heck NO! Carbon Laser facial is not painful at all, it feels warm and a little bit like pins and needles. A minor ‘sonic’ boom is heard as the carbon particles are targeted by the laser and the light energy is absorbed by the carbon particles.

What is the post care treatment?

This is often referred to as the lunch time facial as there is no downtime and you can go back to your regular day to day activities straight afterwards. You might have some redness but it will disappear within a few hours. A sunscreen of 50+ will be applied immediately after the treatment. Make up is allowed to be reapplied straight after. A regular good skincare regime, staying hydrated, eating healthy, avoid smoking and alcohol and always using sunscreen of 50+ is all recommended for your post care treatment.

How long do the results last?

This all depends on your lifestyle , skin type and condition of your skin. You will notice results after a single treatment. However, for long-term results we recommend 4-6 treatments spaced 2-4 weeks apart.

Anything to avoid before having a facial?

We recommend waiting 2 weeks if you have had muscle relaxant treatments or dermal filler.

How long does it take?

It takes between 30 - 45 minutes, depending on the area of the body. The face will take less time than the back.

What are the benefits of the PicoWay Resolve Laser?

The PicoWay Resolve laser is an advanced anti-aging laser treatment. It erases fine lines, wrinkles, freckles, birthmarks, brown spots, acne scars, melasma and other skin concerns. It can be used on any skin type. Leaves your skin glowing! Benefits of PicoWay Resolve:

• Reduced wrinkles
• Minimized brown spots
• Smoother texture
• Stimulates collagen growth
• Diminished acne scars
• Faster results

Does it hurt and how much downtime is there with PicoWay Resolve?

It doesn’t hurt, there may be mild discomfort and will feel like little pin pricks to the skin. The downtime is very minimal! There may be some redness for up to 48 hours and the skin may feel a little itchy. Aloe vera can be applied to minimise any irritation. Mineral free makeup can be applied the following day. Sun exposure is to be avoided 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks after your treatment and a factor of 50+ must be worn within this time.

How does Picoway Resolve work?

It works for skin rejuvenation and the elimination of fine lines, wrinkles, freckles, birthmarks, brown spots, acne scars, melasma in a non-surgical way. It's a non-ablative treatment that targets the deeper layers of the skin to rejuvenate and resurface your skin. Resolve uses picosecond pulses to create multiple Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) in the dermis while leaving the epidermis intact. The LIOBs creation stimultaes a healing response and skin remodeliing which results in skin rejuvenation. The laser handpiece splits the beam into many microbeams, this ensures the energy is evenly distributed over the treatment area to achieve the most effective and consistent results.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments depends on the specific condition you are wanting to treat. If you are trying to address hyperpigmentation or acne scars we would recommend a series of treatments. We recommend 4 treatments for optimal reults, once a month.

How is the PicoWay Resolve laser different from alternative skin rejuvenation devices on the market?

The PicoWay Resolve laser is not as aggressive as other lasers, which all have a downtime of one week or longer. IPL: It’s different from an IPL in that uses three different wavelengths which results in stimulating the collagen on a deeper level. An IPL uses a broader range of wavelengths that are unable to stimulate the collagen on a deeper level. Peel: A peel is great for skin maintenance as it treats the superficial layer of the skin. The Resolve PicoWay is able to penetrate the skin on a deeper level to lighten spots and stimulate collagen.

How long does it take and are there any side effects?

The treatment takes around 30 minutes. Some clients experience redness, itching, mild burning, swelling and temporary bruising. Pigmented areas may appear darker or lighter for the first several days, but will return to normal pigmentaton in less than a week. You may see darker spots falling off, this is a normal part of the procedure. Every client is different, results may vary.

What is the post care treatment?

Staying out of the sun for up to 2 weeks and always using a 30+ sunscreen. It is important to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours in the first 24 hours. A regular good skincare regime, staying hydrated, eating healthy, avoid smoking and alcohol and always using sunscreen of 30+ is all recommended for your post care treatment.

What are the recommended pre treatment instuctions?

Be sure to inform the clinic of any past or current medical condition, disease, or medications that you take. Avoid exposure to excessive sunlight , tanning booths, and self tanners 2 weeks prior to your appointment. Recently tanned skin cannot be treated. 4-7 days before, avoid these products of procedures - electrolysis - depilatory creams - laser hair removal - BOTOX (1 week) - waxing 3-5 days before, avoid these products and procedures - Retin-A, Differin, Tazorac, Renova, Tretinoin - any products containing retinol, alphahydroxy acid, beta-hydroxy acid, or benzoyl peroxide - any exfoliating products that may be drying or irritating - clients who have had facial treatments or procedures should wait until skin sensitivity completely resolves If you suffer from cold sores, you need to get a Valtrex prescription from your Doctor and take one 12 hours prior and one after the treatment.

Who administers the injectable treatments?

All of our injectables are administered by Sanja, a fully qualified Nurse Injector.

What is the difference between Botox/Dysport and Fillers?

Botox/Dysport relaxes the muscle, and in turn can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Dermal Fillers are used to enhance an area, by injecting a gel like substance called Hyaluronic Acid; it can be used to define, hydrate and combat loss of volume in a specific area.

How long do the effects of these treatments last?

We usually ball park the effects of Botox/Dysport as around 3 months, and the effects of Fillers anywhere from 6-12 months. This will vary person to person.

How quickly will I see results?

For Botox/Dysport, results can be seen anywhere between 24 hours-2 weeks post treatment. Filler results will start to show instantly – and settle into their final look within a few days. Length of efficacy also varies on consistency of dermal filler being used determined by the area being treated. Optimal results can be maintained for an even longer period of time with repeat treatments and upkeep.

Are there any risks involved?

As with anything, there are always risks. We do our utmost to minimize these risks, and your help is paramount in that too. For more information, book in for a consultation to speak to Sanja.

Do these treatments hurt?

Mild discomfort may be felt during treatment. We use a topical anesthetic before start of treatment to numb the area, as well as, Lidocaine-containing fillers to ensure minimal discomfort is felt during procedure.

Do I need a consultation, even if I've had treatment before elsewhere?

Yes, all our appointment slots are designed to allow time for both consultation and treatment. If you’ve had treatment before then this will be a quick chat to determine the outcome you’re looking for. Our consultations are complementary.

Can I have injectables when pregnant?

No. There have been little to no tests done on whether injectables are safe to have whilst pregnant. On this basis, we do not administer any injectables during pegnancy or whilst breastfeeding.

How far in advance do I have to book an appointment?

Usually you will be fine to book an appointment a few days to a week in advance. This can vary depending on the day/time and time of year – your best bet is to call and speak to our Receptionist about our availability.

Do I have to wait in between getting injectables?

This entirely depends on where the treatments are being administered. As long as they don’t interfere with each other, you can have them in one session.

Can I have a facial after an injectable treatment?

Not immediately after, no. We recommend you either have it before, or wait at least 2 weeks after any injectables before having a facial.