Chemical Peels

Chemical peels can be done on the face, neck, or hands. They can be used to:

• Reduce fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth
• Treat wrinkles caused by sun damage and aging
• Improve the appearance of mild scars
• Treat certain types of acne
• Reduce age spots, freckles, and dark patches (melasma) due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills
• Improve the look and feel of skin

Areas of sun damage may improve after chemical peeling.
After a chemical peel, skin is temporarily more sensitive to the sun, so wear sunscreen every day. It should say "broad-spectrum" on the label, meaning it protects against the sun's UVA and UVB rays.

Who Is a Good Candidate For a Chemical Peel?

Generally, anyone is a good candidate for chemical peels. We offer 4 different types of chemical peels, so that we can tailor the peel to your skin type (colour) and condition.
We can treat mild acne & scarring, pigmentation, fine lines, uneventexture, and any other undisireable skin complexion.
Skin sagging, bulges, and more severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels. They may need other kinds of cosmetic surgical procedures, such as laser resurfacing, or dermal fillers/Botox.

Before You Get a Chemical Peel

Tell your skin consultant if you have any history of scarring, reoccurring cold sores, or on photosensitive medication.
Before you get a chemical peel, your consultant may ask you to stop taking certain drugs and prepare your skin by using other medications, such as Retinol or glycolic acid.
Work with your consultant to determine the depth of your peel. This decision depends upon the condition of your skin and your goals for treatment, and how much peeling you can handle.

How Chemical Peels Are Done

The professional who does your peel will first clean your skin thoroughly. Then she will apply one or more chemical solutions -- such as glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid(TCA), salicylic acid, or lactic acid -- to small areas of your skin. This creates a controlled wound, letting new skin take its place.
During a chemical peel, most people feel a tingling to burning sensation that lasts about 1-3 minutes. Once the peel is removed you shouldnt have any tingling or burning. You may experience a warmth when touching the skin, but nothing more. Applying cool compresses can take away the sensation.

What To Expect After the Chemical Peel

Depending upon the type of chemical peel, a reaction similar to sunburn occurs following the procedure. Peeling usually involves redness followed by scaling that ends within three to seven days. Mild peels may not have any peeling and can be repeated at 2 week intervals until you get the look you're after. Medium depth peels will have peeling for 3-7 days and can be done 2-4 week invervals.

After treatment, you'll need to avoid the sun for a few weeks since your new skin will be fragile. Treat your new fresh skin as baby skin. Do not let it get too much sun!!

Possible Complications

Some skin types are more likely to develop a temporary or permanent color change in the skin after a chemical peel. Sun exposure after a chemical peel or on photosensitive medications will make you more prone to this.
For people with a history of cold sore outbreaks, there is a small risk of reactivating cold sores. Your doctor can prescribe medication to prevent or treat

Ask us about our DermaCeutic chemical peel line! 519-837-1897

LHR: The Right Questions to Ask

Whether you're coming for Laser Hair Removal at Guelph Medical Laser or a clinic near you, here are some important questions to ask your Skin Consultant/Technician:

1. Where were you trained and/or certified? Can I see your certificate/diploma?
There is not 1 standard training for Laser Technicians. Make sure their education is reputable and legit. There should be diplomas or certificates hanging on the wall. Feel free to enquire about their schooling as much as you`d like.

2. Who is the Doctor on staff? How long have you been in business?
Be familiar with the business and the residing Doctor. There should be the option to meet with the doctor before treatment begins.

3. What laser do you use for hair removal, and which is best for my skin type?
Make sure she knows about her machine and which works better on certain skin types. She should be able to articulate why one is better than the other, specifying the right one for you.

4.  How many sessions will I need?
Know what you`re in for before you sign up. The average treatment number for permenant hair removal is 4-8 sessions. Ask about package deals to save a bit of money.

5. Can you treat me if I have a tan?
If they answer is yes: walk away. You cannoy preform LHR on a tanned skin, no matter how the technician justifies it. The only way to treat a tanned skin is on a very low setting with very little results.

6. Am I a good candidate?
Some types of hair make patients poor candidates for LHR. Greys, white or red hairs will not be effected by lasers. If you have very fine downy hair as well, you may not be a good candidate. Check with your Consultant.

7. How many laser hair removal treatments have you performed?
Make sure your technician is experienced, especially with multiple different skin types.

8. How many lasers are on the premises, are they rented or owned?
The more lasers they have, the greater the chances you will be treated appropiately and the safest for your skin colour and hair type. Be wary of rented machines because that insinuates they only do a few treatments a month.

9. What results should I expect?
Your technician should be able to articulate the estimated results; redness, hair loss; pain etc. Keep in mind, there are NO guarantees in this business. Everyone reacts differently to the lasers and youre results will vary from patient to patient.

10. How safe is Laser Hair Removal?
No harm in being reassure that LHR is 100% safe if preformed properly by a certified professional.

The goal in the end is to feel comfortable and confident in your technician, no matter how many questions you need to ask. We want you to feel relaxed and excited about your treatment!

Call 519-837-1897 to book your FREE consultation!

LHR : Good Bye Tans

Fall is approaching, faster than we'd like, and slowly our tans will start to fade. To most of you, this may be a bad thing in your eyes. We at Guelph Medical Laser are cheering you on as you lose your tans.. because... that means its back to getting your Laser Hair Removal!

This summer alot of clients take a break from Laser Hair Removal, simply because it is very difficult to stay out of the sun (understandably). But now that the days of laying at the beach, hanging outside all day long are over... its time to come back and see us!

Why cant you have a tan with Laser Hair Removal?
**warning.. I'm about to get tecnhical**

When the laser beam is transmitted onto the skin, the beam is designed to search solely for pigmentation (the colour in your hair, skin and eyes). It will find the darkest pigmentation first, being your hair but may affect the surrounding pigmentation in your skin IF you dont abide by the rule "staying out of the sun". If you have an active tan (meaning = 4 weeks old or newer) the laser may get distracted by it and not target the hair only. This could result in a temporay burn or small blister.

It is for your safety that we do not permet a tanned skin to be lasered. That being said, rule of thumb : consult with your technician about the safety and efficacy of your treatment each time, and discuss your recent sun exposure openly and honestly.  :)

**Read more Q&A on Laser Hair Removal at this blog spot HERE**

Few facts about Laser Hair Removal (LHR)

• LHR has been FDA approved since 1995
• Any body part can be lasered, excluding the eye brows.
• Dark hairs are effected much more than light hairs
• White, grey or red hairs will not be effected by the laser
• There is no laser that can remove your hair in 1 treatment
• The LightSheer Diode (our laser) requires a minimum of 5 treatments.
• LHR procedures are completely  safe when preformed by certified professionals in the appropriate environments.
• The LightSheer can not affect any muscles, tissues or even nerves within your skin and is completely safe to perform on any body part.
• The laser beam reaches about 5mm into the skin.
• Some sessions can be as quick as 10 minutes! (Lunch hour appointment?.....)
• You will see noticable results after just 1 treatment!

Give us a call to book your consultation or next Laser Hair Removal Treatment! 519-837-1897

More on LHR here