Aerolase Treatment FAQs

Individual results will vary, but can depend on the body surface that is affected. While some patients may see relief in just one treatment, other patients may need 3 to 4 treatments to achieve their desired result.

It is recommended that one treatment be completed once every 3 to 4 weeks.

Rosacea is a chronic disorder characterized by facial flushing and persistent redness with spider-like blood vessels. It is often punctuated by inflammatory papules (bumps), pustules (pimples), and swelling. Management often includes avoidance of trigger foods and alcohol as well as cosmetic camouflage.

1064nm laser energy is absorbed in hemoglobin to break down diffused redness, and at higher fluences will also coagulate capillaries or spider veins that may supply blood into affected areas.

Rosacea is typically characterized by having up and down periods where symptoms heighten and lessen. While rosacea is not curable, it can be controlled with laser light so that the redness will decrease. Typically, maintenance sessions will need to be scheduled for continued improvement of flare-ups.

Immediately after treatment there may be some transient erythema or purpura in or adjacent to the treated area, which should resolve within a few days. The redness and vasculature may take up to several months to fully improve and clear.

Yes! There is just a mild sensation of heat that is very tolerable. The Aerolase Neo has set a new standard for virtually pain-free treatment, even on sensitive skin, thanks to MicroPulse-1064 technology.

This can vary depending on the size, density of melanin, and depth of the affected area. Typically melasma will lighten or disappear completely after 3–5 treatments, although in some cases more treatments may be necessary.

One treatment should be completed every 3–4 weeks.

Melasma is a very common patchy brown, tan, or blue-gray facial skin discoloration, primarily seen on the upper cheeks, lip, forehead, and chin of women 20–50 years of age. Uncontrolled sunlight exposure is considered the leading cause, especially in individuals with a genetic predisposition. Melasma is most common among pregnant women (called Chloasma), especially those of Latin and Asian descents.

Yes, but with caution. Aerolase is the safest laser in the industry for darker skin types. Patients with skin types IV–VI should be treated very cautiously, especially in the facial region, as they pose a higher risk of having hyper- and/or hypo-pigmentations.

Melasma is typically characterized by having up and down periods where symptoms heighten and lessen. While the laser can help lighten or completely rid the pigmentation, factors such as sun exposure, hormones, and genetic disposition can play a role in recurrence of symptoms. It is important to understand that melasma is a chronic condition that can be controlled rather than cured.

Typically, melasma will slowly lighten over the next few days to weeks as the pigmented area is slowly absorbed by your body's natural healing process. In some cases, the pigment will darken before becoming lighter. If any crusting or scabbing occurs, keep the area moist to reduce the risk of scarring.

Generally 6 sessions are required to achieve a good result (typically once a month for 6 months). After that, you may need maintenance every few months depending on your skin type.

Patients may notice a glow or tightening sensation immediately after the first treatment. Some may also notice a reduction in pore size a few weeks after the first treatment. Patients should notice considerable results after the entire course of treatments is complete. You may see additional improvement for 6 months following treatment due to continual growth of new collagen and elastin.

No, there is just a mild, very tolerable sensation of heat. This is one of the key technical breakthroughs of Aerolase technology. No anesthetics or cooling gels are needed.

While your skin will appear firmer and more full, and both red and brown spots will diminish, the skin will continue to age so maintenance treatments may be required in the future. To reduce the signs of aging, it is important to wear sunscreen, which will slow any increase of wrinkles and sun damage.

Generally 4 to 6 sessions are required for 80% clearance or greater, which is considered very good in aesthetic laser medicine. After that, an annual maintenance treatment is recommended.

For laser hair removal, it is recommended that one treatment be completed every 4 to 8 weeks depending on the area being treated.

Yes, the patient should shave 2 or 3 days before the procedure, leaving small 2 to 3mm stubs of hair. This is critically important for several reasons:

• Visible stubs ensure the hairs haven't been waxed or plucked
• Allows establishment of appropriate fluence (most stubs should visibly singe)
• Enables targeting of actual follicles rather than skin in between
• Helps identify hairs that didn't respond for second pass treatment

If settings are chosen correctly, many hairs will singe upon contact with the laser beam and will disappear. Some damaged hairs may fall out within a few days after treatment or immediately if the treatment site is rubbed.

The FDA requires manufacturers to describe the process as "permanent hair reduction", not "permanent hair removal". Patients can generally expect more than 75% to 80% clearance after 6 sessions and should plan on 1 or 2 annual follow-up sessions for ideal maintenance.

There is no light-based hair removal technology which is efficient on blonde or gray hair because melanin is the primary target in laser hair removal, so efficacy is much lower if the hair is low in melanin.

This can vary depending on the size and color of the vessel. Typically angiomas and spider veins will disappear completely after 1–2 treatments, although in some cases more treatments may be necessary.

Vascular lesions can form due to a backup of blood for a number of reasons including aging, sun exposure, pregnancy, hormonal changes, and certain types of injuries.

The vascular lesion may appear to look like a cat scratch for 3–4 weeks. It will eventually scab over and slough off, so it is important to always keep the area moist using Aquaphor to reduce the risk of scarring.

Many vessels will be gone permanently, but due to skin aging, continued sun exposure, and hormonal changes, new vessels will likely develop over time and more treatments will need to be performed. Always apply sunblock and avoid prolonged sun exposure to slow this process.

This can vary depending on the size and color of the pigmented spot. Typically sun and age spots will disappear completely after 2–4 treatments, although in some cases more may be necessary.

It is recommended that one treatment be completed every 3–4 weeks.

Sun and age spots are commonly found on sun-exposed skin. They typically do not appear until middle age and can appear in all skin types. Spots increase with age and sun exposure. They are collections of melanin pigment that have accumulated in the epidermis. Unlike freckles, age spots do not fade in winter.

Important: If you have enough sun exposure to develop age spots, you have a higher risk of developing skin cancer.

The pigmented spots will continue to darken and commonly turn black. They will eventually scab over and slough off, so it is important to always keep the area moist using Aquaphor to reduce the risk of scarring.

Many spots will be gone permanently, but due to skin aging and continued sun exposure, new spots will likely develop over time. To slow the aging process and reduce the likelihood of new spots, always apply sunblock and avoid prolonged sun exposure.

Aerolase's 650-microsecond pulse duration ensures gentle, precise treatment by rapidly passing through the skin and selectively heating target areas without harming surrounding tissue. This makes treatments:

• Virtually pain-free
• Safe for all skin types, including the darkest tones
• Effective without numbing creams or cooling gels
• Performed without skin contact (more hygienic)

No. Anesthetics and cooling gels are not needed with Aerolase because MicroPulse-1064 makes it uniquely pain-free. This unique benefit saves time, cost, and mess by eliminating gels and sprays required by other lasers.

Actually, the Aerolase Neo is the safest laser in the industry for darker skin types or tanned skin. This is because of MicroPulse-1064 technology, which essentially eliminates treatment pain while minimizing the chances of hyper- and/or hypo-pigmentation.

Note: For certain treatments on very dark skin (types IV–VI), specific protocols must be followed to ensure optimal safety.

No, there is just a mild, very tolerable sensation of heat. This is one of the key technical breakthroughs of Aerolase technology. The Neo has set a new standard for virtually pain-free treatment, even on darker skin types, thanks to MicroPulse-1064 technology.

Contraindications include:

• Those who are pregnant
• Those with sunburned or irritated skin in treatment sites
• Those exhibiting unidentified skin conditions
• Those who have healed poorly after other laser treatments
• Patients prone to skin discoloration
• Patients taking Accutane (wait 6 months after discontinuation)
• Patients using topical Retin-A (wait 2 weeks)

Note: Herpes Simplex Labialis (fever blisters) can be activated by laser treatment. Patients with a tendency for fever blistering can be started on antiviral medication before treatment.

During your Aerolase treatment:

• Treatments typically last 10-60 minutes depending on the area and condition
• You'll feel gentle warmth, no pain
• No skin cooling, anesthetics, or skin contact needed
• No downtime—you can return to normal activities immediately
• Some treatments may show immediate results, others develop over weeks

There is typically NO downtime with Aerolase treatments. You can apply makeup and return to work, exercise, and all normal activities immediately after your session. Some treatments may cause slight pinkness for 1-2 hours, but this quickly fades.

Before your treatment:

• Avoid sun exposure and tanning for 2 weeks prior
• Discontinue Retin-A 2 weeks before treatment
• For hair removal: shave 2-3 days before (leave 2-3mm stubs)
• Arrive with clean skin (no makeup, lotions, or oils)
• Inform your provider of any medications you're taking