Clarité Laser & Medical Esthetics Blog | Ottawa's best skin improvement and care.

Laser Hair Reduction Ottawa NdYag

Posted on October 21, 2019 by clarite

It is well known that lasers can be used for hair reduction.

At Clarite we use a medically proven Health Canada approved laser called the Cynosure Elite which combines the 755 Alexandrite laser and the 1064 laser to treat both light and darker colored skin.

How does it work? The laser works by the energy in the beam of light being absorbed by the pigment (melanin) of the hair to damage the hair follicle. The 1064 wavelength is more protective and therefore safer for darker skin tones.

Benefits of Laser Hair Reduction . the laser results in up to an 85% reduction in hair which is permanent. The skin can become smoother . It is useful to treat ingrown hairs which can leave scarring, or for men around the beard area.

Ingrown hair improvement

Are there other methods of Permanent Hair Reduction? Electrolysis is the other method of removing hair. The advantage is that it can treat white hairs . The laser cannot. The disadvantage is that it is very time consuming because each hair is individually treated manually by the therapist.

Is there downtime? Laser treatments generally do not have a period where you have to change your daytime routine. In some people, redness around the hair follicle may occur, or some itchiness. This can be discussed with our doctor and measures be taken to reduce these effects.

How Many Sessions Are Needed? Each individual varies in the response. We cannot give an exact number of sessions, but usually you can see some improvement after 3-7 sessions.

What are the possible risks? Lasers are very effective but must be used by trained personnel.
-pigmentation changes. Pigment changes may occur especially those with darker skin tones. Usually the results are temporary
-irritation. This can be expected. We apply cool air and aloe gel to help.
-scarring. Although great care is taken to ensure safety, the laser does cause heat which carries a small risk of damaging the skin.

Why Clarite Laser? Clarite Laser is considered one of the best laser removal clinics in Ottawa. For over 10 years we have been performing this service. Our doctor is constantly doing upgrade training including Laser Safety training at Harvard School of Medicine. Your first visit consists of a patch test during which Dr Rice and the medical esthetician work together to ensure you have the safest treatment possible. After that you will be seen by the medical esthetician for your treatment.

Posted in laser hair reduction | Tagged best laser ottawa, clarite laser, clarite laser hair reduction, ingrown hair scar treatments, ingrown hair treatment, ingrown hairs, laser barrhaven, laser for darker skin, laser hair Barhaven, laser hair reduction, laser hair reduction barrhaven, laser hair reduction manotick, laser hair reduction ottawa, laser hair reduction riverside south, laser hair removal, laser manotick, laser ottawa, manotick skin care, NdYag, near me, riverside south, skincare riverside south | Comments Off

Acne varies with seasons

Posted on December 17, 2018 by clarite

Did you know that acne can vary with the seasons? Often the skincare you use in summer is not suitable in the winter. Why?

We now know that winter dryness affects the ceramides in the both healthy and acneic skin. By replenishing the health of the skin, acne can be reduced during these times. By understanding skin function and barrier function, we can now help with topical cosmeceuticals as well as prescription based topicals.

acne varies with seasons

Posted in Acne | Tagged acne, acne ottawa, acnescar, acnescarottawa, acnetreatment, clearskin, dryskin, ottawaskincare, skincare, teenacne | Comments Off

Micro-needling

Posted on March 11, 2018 by clarite

At Clarite Laser we use an electric micro-needling system which rejuvenates the skin by using medical grade needles to penetrate the skin allowing the skin to repair itself and allow us to infuse some powerful healing and correcting agents. The result is a healthy glow which is the result of the skin looking smoother and brighter.

Microneedling has been around Europe for a long time but only now has become more popular in North America thanks to celebrities now using it. Microneedling is also known as PCI or percutaneous collagen induction therapy. It is very useful to rejuvenate the skin with very little risk unlike lasers. Unlike fillers or botulinum, it does change the skin texture. It is safe for treatment under the eyes which can be a challenging area with other devises.

BENEFITS
There are many benefits including:
-effective collagen induction
-natural looking results
-can be used on most body areas
-safe for all skin types
-minimal downtime
-can be used for acne scaring, texture, stretch marks, scars and general skin smoothening

HOW IS THIS PROCEDURE PERFORMED?
It can be done in many different ways to achieve different outcomes. We can adjust the needles to be very superficial and infuse hyaluronic acid to give a beautiful plump glow before an event. OR, it can be used more aggressively to puncture tiny holes in the skin followed by the application of specialized vitamins according the the skin condition. We even use it for burn scars to improve the healing.

How does it work? By using needles which are symmetrical , the body produces epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor (Plast Reconstr Surg June 2010).

RESULTS
The results are not immediate. The final results may be noticeable as early as one week, but may take up to 6 months to show. Depending on your skin concern and condition, a series of 3-6 are recommended approximately a month apart.

PRE PROCEDURE
We ask you stop all active products such as retinoids one week prior to your appointment. If you have a history of cold sores, an oral antiviral medicine can be prescribed prior and after the procedure. If possible arrive with no makeup.

POST PROCEDURE
Immediately after the procedure, , your skin will be pinkish, warm or slightly red. For more aggressive treatments, you will look very red, as if you had a sunburn or even a bit swollen and your skin can be a bit sore with flaking occurring a few days later. This usually resolves in 1 – 2 days. Instructions on post care will be discussed during your visit. You will be instructed to use very gentle cleansers, specialized products and LOTS of hydration cream to allow to skin to regenerate.

Posted in microneedling | Tagged acne dark skin, acne ottawa, acne scar, acne scar manotick, beautiful ski, edermastamp, eye wrinkles, eyewrinkles, manotick skin care, microneedling, microneedlingacne, n, ottawa skin care, pci, percutaneus collagen induction ottawa, prejeuvenation, rejeuvenation, scar treatment, skin texture | Comments Off

Hyperpigmentation or dark spot removal

Posted on January 1, 2018 by clarite

Pigmentation (dark spots) on the skin cause many people to seek treatment.

You should always be checked by a physician first to ensure the spots are not of a medical concern. If you do not have a physician, our experienced medical director will do an assessment. Spots include melasma, solar lentigines (“old age spots”), and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

We have many available treatments for this disorder including topical therapy such as retinoids, azelaic acid, kojic acid, hydroquinone in prescription formats as well as cosmeceutical products. Procedures such as microdermabrasion , chemical peels , laser and IPL phototherapy can be used in combination with optimal results. Our favorite treatment is the picosure technology of the laser. This is a laser that works so fast – trillionths of a second . This laser will target the pigment cells themselves called melanocytes and makes them fall apart, like pieces of sand. Your body will then remove the particles slowly. It is for this reason we recommend several sessions spaced a couple of months apart.

We also recommend particular combinations of sun protection to reduce the chance of the spots returning.

Melasma mostly occurs in women, although up to 10% of men may experience this problem also. Heredity combined with hormones and sun do play factors in this.. Lasers, peels and products must be used with caution because irritating the skin may in fact cause more pigmentation.

At Clarite we offer a special regime for this difficult to treat condition consisting of a series of specialized peels with products and procedures for the face such as the picosure laser. The results are slow but noticeable. For “age spots” often the IPL treatments or laser treatments with the Alexandrite laser can be offered with results in 1-3 treatments.

Posted in Hyperpigmentation | Tagged barhaven skincare, Barrhaven, best brown spot treatment, brown spot, brown spots Ottawa, brown spots skin, chemical peel, hyperpigmentaion, hyperpigmentation barhaven, hyperpigmentation manotick, IPL, manotick, melasma, near me, nearme, old age spots, ottawa, photofacial, picolaser, picolaserottawa, picosure, picosure ottawa, pigmentation, skincaremanotick, sunscreen | Comments Off

IPL Intense Pulsed Light Ottawa

Posted on April 13, 2017 by clarite

At Clarite Laser we offer a clarifying skin treatment featuring Intensed Pulse Light (IPL) It uses a form of light to treat brown spots, redness and fine lines on the skin to achieve a more even complexion, reduce acne and help reduce the brown spots on arms, hands and other areas of the body.

Unlike laser which uses a specific wave length, IPL has broad wavelengths which allow it to treat a variety of brown pigment such as age spots and freckles to red capillaries and the redness of rosacea. Another benefit is that it can increase collagen, reduce fine lines and produce a more even complexion. It is also effective on the neck and decollete area. Our IPL features cooling and is gentle yet effective.

Usually 4 – 6 treatments are needed with little to no downtime.

Posted in Brown Spots, Uncategorized | Tagged acne, barhaven skincare, brown spots, fine wrinkles, frown lines riverside south, hyperhidrosis barrhaven, intense pulsed light, IPL, ipl barhaven, ipl manotick, ipl riverside south, manotick acne, neck rejeuvenation, red spider veins, riverside south, skincare riverside south, wrinkles ottawa manotick | Comments Off

Coconut oil in Skin Treatment

Posted on March 28, 2017 by clarite

Coconut oil has been used for a long time for use on the skin. Not surprisingly it can be used successfully for skin hydration safely. Currently it is being used both in hair care products as well as skin care products.

There is evidence also that virgin coconut oil (VCO) , as well as sunflower seed helps maintain healthy skin in low-birth-weight babies. It also seems it also has antibacterial properties as confirmed in preliminary studies.

Are there potential side effects? Yes. Some people may develop a skin reaction, however the risk is low .

So, if your skin is dry, bathe or shower with a gentle moisturizing soap, rinse and pat dry. Then put coconut oil to maintain the moisture and hydration.

Posted in Skin Care, Uncategorized | Tagged barhaven skincare, clarite skin care, coconut oi, dry skin ottawa, eczema, itchy skin, manotick skin care, riverside south, skin care, sunflower seed, xerosis | Comments Off

Acne in Darker Skin Types

Posted on March 26, 2017 by clarite

Acne is a problem for anyone who has it, but in darker skinned individuals pigmentation (darker spots) is a real issue. This is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Physicians treating this condition need to be careful with products used as to not cause more inflammation and skin irritation

Even before the acne is visible, medication applied may reduce the inflammation and therefore reduce pigmentaion. There are specific medications that are less likely to irritate than the commonly used retinol based creams.

A prescription containing hydroquinone may be given for a short time followed by a hydroquinone free product. At all times sun protection must be used.

So don’t give up! For a clearer complexion make sure you visit a qualified doctor experienced in this area.

Posted in Acne | Tagged acne, acne dark skin, acne physician, acne scar barrhaven, acne scar manotick, acne scar ottawa, barhaven skincare, hyperpigmentation barhaven, hyperpigmentation manotick, hyperpigmentation ottawa, skincare riverside south | Comments Off

Topics