Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions about the procedures, treatments or services that we provide?

Below is a list of some frequently asked questions, but please feel free to contact us if you need additional information.

Laser Hair Removal

• Q: How does a laser or light-based system remove hair?
  A: The system emits a gentle beam of light that passes through the skin, to the hair follicle, where it is absorbed. Upon absorption, the energy is transformed into heat, which can disable the follicle, while leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed.
  
  
• Q: How do I know if I'm a good candidate for laser or light-based hair removal?
  A: Generally speaking, if you are concerned about unwanted hair, you are probably a candidate for hair removal. Laser or light-based systems are a faster, easier alternative for hair removal.
  
  
• Q: Is the treatment painful?
  A: Most individuals describe the treatment as a series of slight pin pricks or rubber band snaps to the skin. The majority of patients tolerate this sensation without anesthetics. Additional comfort is provided by applying cooling to the area to be treated. Within about 30 minutes of treatment, the area may become pink or red; this may last from a few hours to one day.
  
  
• Q: How long does it take?
  A: With this procedure numerous hairs are removed at the same time. The amount of time needed depends on the size of the area to be treated. The lip usually takes less than one minute; other areas, such as the leg, may take significantly longer.
  
  
  
• Q: How many treatments will be necessary?
  A: Hair grows in cycles. The laser or pulsed light only affects hair when it is in its early growth phase. In fact, the system will disable follicles that are actively producing hair at the time of treatment. At any time, some hair follicles are dormant. Repeated sessions will be necessary to treat these follicles when they re-enter the growth phase.
  
  
  

• Q: What are the advantages of the DiamondTome Skin Resurfacing System?
  A: The DiamondTome Skin Resurfacing System is a wonderful alternative to laser or chemical peels because it is non-invasive, non-surgical and requires no down time after treatment. Normal activities may be resumed immediately. Your skin will have a radiant glow, free of irritation and loose particles. Patients experience softer, smoother and cleaner skin after the first treatment. Treatment series vary from four to ten sessions depending on the condition being treated and the type of the skin.
  
  
  • Sun Damaged skin - Face, neck, shoulders
  • Age Spots - hands, face
  • Reduction of minor to moderate early aging fine lines - eyes, forehead
  • Blending of cosmetic surgery of laser treatments
  • Reduction of acne scaring
  • Extraction of blackheads and whiteheads
  • Minor scar revision
  • Hyperpigmentation reduction
  • Oily skin
  • Rejuvenation of skin health
  
  
  
• Q: How will I look after the treatment?
  A: Your skin may look slightly flushed immediately after the treatment but should return to normal in 10-30 minutes. Your skin will look and feel smoother even after the first treatment and will continue to improve with additional treatments.
  
  
  

• Q: What is Botox?
  A: Botox is the trade name of Botulinmum Toxin Type A. Boxtox treatments provide a safe, quick and remarkably effective way to markedly decrease wrinkles. It works best on the wrinkles of the upper face. These are the eye wrinkles or crow's feet, frown lines and lines on the forehead. Botox is a substance that totally relaxes the muscles that are responsible for wrinkles caused by facial expression. For example, to make a frown we use muscles between and above the eyebrows, over time we are left with a deep wrinkle or crease between the eyes. This may make us look angry even when we are not frowning. In some cases Botox can totally eliminate these lines in other cases it may reduce them. Side effects are uncommon and may include bruising, some mild facial asymmetry, eyelid sagging or headache.
  
  
  

• Q: Why is my face so red?
  A: You may have rosacea. Rosacea (pronounced rose-ay-shah) is a condition affecting the skin of the face - mostly the area where people blush. There are a number of symptoms, ranging from mild to more severe, as you will see from the following list:
  • Redness - This can look like nothing more than a blush or sunburn.
  • Pimples - As a result of a continual flushing, the skin eventually becomes irritated and inflamed and pimples may appear on the face. These pimples may be papules (small, red and solid) or pustules (pus-filled like teenage acne). This is why rosacea is often referred to as "adult acne" or "acne rosacea".
  • Broken or Enlarged Blood Vessels - Doctors call this telangiectasis (tell-an-jek-taz-yah). When people with rosacea flush, the small blood vessels of the face get larger - eventually showing through the skin.
  • Enlarged, Bumpy Nose - This condition is called rhinophyma (rhy-no-fye-muh), and is present in more advanced stages of rosacea - especially in men.
  
  
  
• Q: What can I do about these broken blood vessels?
  A: Dr. Munyon can help you select the treatment that is just right for you. Laser treatment can eliminate broken blood vessels and decrease redness. Intense Pulse Light treatments, also known as photofacial or photoderm, can be preformed to safely treat broken blood vessels. Prescription medications can help clear the acne.

• Q: How can spider veins on my legs be treated?
  A: Dr. Munyon can perform sclerotherapy to treat leg veins. The procedure involves the injection of a hypertonic saline solution into the visible vessels. Treatment time is approximately 20 minutes and with virtually no pain.
  
  
  

• Q: Will I feel any discomfort during the treatment with the Levulan PDT System?
  A: Probably. Although the Levulan PDT system has been designed for less patient discomfort, many patients do report some:
  
      Stinging and burning – at least 50% of patients experienced significant stinging and burning during the light treatment, usually plateauing in intensity at about 6 minutes.
  
      Swelling and temporary reddening – almost all patients experienced this immediately following light treatment
  
      This discomfort usually occurs immediately following treatment, rather than in the weeks following. Any swelling and redness will begin to subside soon after treatment and will be gone in a few weeks. In fact, some patients have reported that swelling is reduced even sooner.
  
  
• Q: How do patients feel about the Levulan PDT system after treatment?
  A: In clinical studies, 84% of patients who received treatment with Levulan PDT system said that they would use it again.
  
  
• Q: How many treatments does it usually take?
  A: Series is typically 4
  
  
• Q: How long is one treatment?
  A: A single appointment is up to 1 hour and 30 minutes
  
  
• Q: What happens if I feel tingling during the 14 to 18 hours between the time Levulan Kerastick for topical solution, 20% has been applied and the time I am treated with BLU-U light?
  A: This means that the treated lesions are reacting to light.
  Avoid exposure to bright light both indoors and outdoors
  If tingling feeling continues, inform your dermatologist