Tattoo Removal with Laser in Ottawa

Posted on November 30, 2023 by clarite

Do you have tattoo regret or need part of unloved tattoo removed?

With the new advanced picosecond lasers effective tattoo removal or reduction  can be achieved.  There are a lot of misconceptions about tattoo removal.

How many sessions does removal take?

This is impossible to predict because of many variables such as:  how old is the tattoo, what are the colors, where is it located, how deep is it as well as individual variations.   I have had success in as little as 2 visits and others are on their 6th treatment with improvement but not complete removal

Can complete removal be achieved?

We can never promise this due to so many variables.  We have been surprised that some tattoos are almost completely gone in 2 treatments and others have 50% resolved in 6 sessions.  We can never promise complete resolution despite using modern equipment and knowledgeable staff.

Does it hurt?
We do our best to make you comfortable.

Removal of tattoos can cause some discomfort.   Some can tolerate the discomfort, and others need some help.  We offer 3 levels of anesthetic:
#1 topical over the counter anesthetic
#2 prescription grade anesthetic provided by our clinic
#3 injections by the doctor of anesthetic

What can be expected after the laser tattoo removal treatment?
The skin can be whitish appearing (this is not a blister) or red and sore.  We cover the area with sterile dressing to avoid the area being rubbed.

What are the adverse effects?
As with any laser treatment, adverse effects may occur and include but not limited to:
irritation, blistering, scarring, sensitivity, color change of the tattoo especially cosmetic tattoos for the brows to an undesirable color which takes several sessions to improve,

Is the staff qualified?
Dr Rice has been performing laser treatments for 15 years and is continuously doing upgrade courses including Harvard School of Medicine’s course on laser safety.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sunscreen Safety in Pregnancy

Posted on April 29, 2023 by clarite

We all know that sunscreens are important to reduce the risk of skin cancer and help prevent skin damage.

But – is it safe in pregancy?  Did you know there are no specific guidelines  for pregnancy or breastfeeding ladies?

We do know that  the chemicals in  sunscreens are absorbed into our bloodstream.  We don’t know what effect they have.

We do know that mineral sunscreens reflect the light and are not absorbed.

There needs to be guidelines set for safety , but at this time this is not available.

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All About Fillers

Posted on February 22, 2023 by clarite

Fillers are used for many different facial areas and reasons.

There are many different manufacturers of fillers which are approved for use by Health Canada. The products used for the tear trough region, chin, lip, cheeks and nasolabial fold vary. We select the best product for each particular facial area.

Firmer gel fillers are used for the jawline and cheeks or for those with thicker skin.  Care must be taken with these products in areas of movement as the product may not be as elastic or as moveable as the skin.  What looks good when the face is at rest may not look as good with facial movement.

The area under the eye must be approached carefully, as this area can have loose skin or a fat pad.  This must be taken into consideration when deciding whether the client is a good candidate for filler in this area.

Skin radiance may also be improved with the use of HA (hyaluronic acid) injections, which can also improve the appearance of scars.  By using small injections of HA, the elasticity and appearance of the skin can be improved.

When treating acne scars, a procedure called subcision is performed which breaks up the scar tissue underneath.  If subcision is not done, the filler pools around the scar instead of filling it in.

At Clarité, our medical director has over 15 years of injecting experience, and individualizes each treatment according to each client’s needs.

Below are example photos from our archives.

acne scar treatment with filler

Acne Scar Filler

 

filler lips to correct assymetry

Lip Asymmetry corrected with filler

 

lip fillers

 

filler for acne scars

 

filler for cheek wrinkles

 

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Pigmentation Treatments

Posted on February 5, 2023 by clarite

Did you know that any skin colour can be treated for hyperpigmentation?  Difficulty can vary, but at Clarite our physician has in-depth knowledge of the best ways to treat this condition.  It isn’t as simple as just using a laser such as the picolaser.  Although the laser is excellent, at Clarite we focus on the prevention of the recurrence of the hyperpigmentation spots.  If the proper steps aren’t taken, you can expect the spots to come back.

After taking a careful client skin history, we adjust the home products to be used and ensure our clients have the appropriate sunscreen, not just ANY sunscreen.  There is a big difference between over the counter cheaper sunscreens and those that are medical grade with UVA, UVB, infrared protection and free radical protection.

You can see from the photos below the treatment success we have had.  Different methods of treatment can be used to help reduce hyperpigmentation.  These include:

  • microdermabrasion
  • chemical peel
  • cosmeceuticals
  • picolaser
  • IPL (intense pulsed light)
  • microneedling with skin lightening agents


The photos below show results using laser and/or topical skin products.  The laser produces faster results.

The picolaser is a laser that targets the pigment cells themselves, breaking them up into smaller particles.  Your own body will then slowly remove the excess pigment.  This process improves on the older lasers. 

With laser treatments for hyperpigmentation, there can be some redness occurring any time from 2 hours to 2 days following treatment, so after care is extremely important.  We will discuss this with you during your visit. 

              pigmentation treatment  

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IPL Photofacial

Posted on October 3, 2022 by clarite

What is IPL? 

IPL stands for “intense pulsed light”.  It is done with a device that sends out several wavelengths of light at once, thereby treating several skin concerns.  It reduces the damage from the sun – known as photoaging as well as several other conditions.  

Is IPL the same as laser? 

No.  They are not at all the same.  Laser  is very specific and precise, sending out one wavelength.  IPL sends out several wavelengths, thereby targeting multiple concerns at once such as redness, brown pigment and irregular skin tone. 

What does IPL treat?

    • Acne
    • Rosacea
    • Broken blood vessels
    • Skin discoloration
    • Spider veins
    • Light brown spots
    • Poikiloderma (sun damage to the chest)

What areas can be treated?

The most common areas are:

    • Face
    • Neck
    • Chest
    • Hands

How many treatments are needed?
This varies according to the extent of the problem but usually 3-8 treatments are recommended, scheduled one month apart.  

This treatment is not suitable for:

    • Very dark skin tones
    • Those who are sensitive to light
    • Those who have seizure disorders
    • Those who are taking photosensitizing medication
    • Skin exposed to sun or sun tanning beds 4 weeks before the treatment
    • Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding
    • Those using retinoids, received facial treatments such as chemical peels, waxing or laser within 2 weeks.
    • Those with some auto-immune disorders

Before your treatment:

    • Do NOT go sun tanning or use sun tanning beds for 4 weeks
    • Do use sunscreen every day with a minimum SPF of 30
    • Do arrive without makeup
    • Stop all retinoids and alpha or beta hydroxy products (glycolic acid or salicylic acid) products 1 week before.
    • For the face we suggest using appropriate products to prepare the skin at least 2 weeks ahead to ensure the best results. 

What to expect

A special pair of goggles will be given to you to protect your eyes during the treatment.  You will see bright flashes of light and feel a sensation of snapping elastic bands or stinging. 

Following treatment, the skin can look irritated, similarly to a sunburn, for approximately 4 -12 hours.  We will advise you as to which after care products should be used to encourage healing. 

Sunscreen MUST be worn after the procedure.  After a few days you may notice some brown spots similar to the colour of coffee grounds on the skin.  This is normal and will clear, leaving the skin clearer.  Redness may take up to one month to disappear, which is why treatments are 4 weeks apart.

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Lip Fillers

Posted on August 22, 2022 by clarite

 

This is one of the most popular procedures at Clarité. The common fear is of looking fake, or having “trout mouth” or “duck lips”. When done correctly, very natural looking lips can be achieved. At Clarité a physician with over 15 years experience will perform the treatment.  

There are many types of fillers and manufacturers, each with its own qualities. Some give a soft, full plumpness but are not good for lip definition. Some give definition but not volume, and some are good for volume. 

As with injecting fillers in any region, there may be swelling, bruising, bumps and even tissue necrosis. At Clarité only a physician will provide the injections and we have solutions to dissolve the filler in the event of an adverse reaction.

As you can see from the photos below, each client had different concerns.   At times, if there is significant loss of volume such as with the client shown below on the far right, several procedures spaced months apart provided a beautiful end effect in this case. The change was so gradual her friends did not notice, but did comment on how good she looked.  They did not realize that she now had lips!  That is the beauty of giving a natural look. 

“Look Great Not Fake!” is our motto.

lip fillers

beautiful lips – natural

 

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Uneven Skin Tone and Texture Treatments Ottawa

Posted on April 4, 2022 by clarite

Would you like to have a smoother, clearer complexion?

At Clarité we now offer an advanced revolutionary laser treatment called PicoSure®. The PicoSure® laser combines very high energy with a very short pulse duration – one TRILLIONTH of a second.  This laser means no or minimal  downtime for you, is fast and is now a favourite at our clinic. 

Immediately after treatment your skin may be pinkish and sensitive for up to 24 hours, for which gentle moisturizers and sunscreens are used. 

https://www.cynosure.com

 

 

How does it work? The PicoSure® laser creates minimal heat and therefore can be safely used on most skin types. It stimulates collagen and elastin production as well as reducing hyperpigmentation.  The laser targets pigment cells and causes them to  fractionate into tiny particles which the body will eliminate.  This process takes time which is why several treatments are needed. The increased elastin and collagen synthesis will continue for months after the last treatment. 

How long is a treatment? A treatment will last approximately 30 minutes.

Do you  need anaesthetic?  The treatment is quite comfortable but you may have a topical anaesthetic applied if you wish.  We use cold air which gives good results in helping with any discomfort.  

How many treatments are recommended? Everyone has different skin concerns but usually 3-6 treatments, 6 – 8 weeks apart is recommended .

The photo below illustrates the effects of only one PicoSure®  treatment. This patient will have 2 more treatments and we’ll be providing more photos soon. 

Call us at 613-822-7956 or email laser@claritelaser.ca to book your appointment.

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