Frequently Asked Qustions
Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions from our clients. If you still have an unanswered question, click here to ask us online, or give us a call (832) 478-5669.
The numbers of fat cells stored in our bodies typically remain constant throughout adult life. After the SculpSure treatment, the destroyed fat cells will not return. However, as we lose weight, the size of fat cells become smaller, but typically do not decrease in number. Even with diet and exercise, many people have difficulty losing weight in these trouble areas.
Treated fat cells are destroyed during the treatment and will not regenerate.
How long before I can resume normal activities? There is no downtime with SculpSure, so you can have the treatment during your lunch hour and return to work immediately.
Patients may start to see results as early as 6 weeks following treatment as the body begins to evacuate the destroyed fat cells, with optimal results usually seen at 12 weeks.
Most patients feel a tingling sensation intermittently throughout the treatment which is generally well tolerated.
Every patient is different. Your treatment provider will develop a customized treatment plan to meet your desired goals. Ask your treatment provider about the treatment plan that is right for you.
SculpSure is ideal for people with trouble spots, particularly those that seem resistant to diet and exercise.
SculpSure is a non-invasive body contouring system for the reduction of stubborn fat in areas such as the abdomen, love handles, inner and outer thighs, and back. The 25 minute procedure destroys up to 24%1 of treated fat cells without surgery.
Yes. It is perfectly safe as the laser light is penetrating only the most superficial layer of your skin. However, we will need a note from your doctor saying that they are OK with you having the treatments.
You can be out in the sun, but we recommend that you keep the treated area out of the sun in between treatments. You should also use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. We also recommend that you do not swim until the treated area has fully healed.
There is a risk the infection could return as the fungus is present everywhere in the environment. If you have diabetes or other chronic medical problems, you are at a higher risk for a return of the infection. If this is the case, please follow the instructions of your doctor.
To minimize the chance of recurrence, you will need to follow our After Care Instructions.
Our laser protocol uses two treatments spaced 6 weeks apart. After each treatment, the majority of the nail fungus will be destroyed. However, visual improvement is not immediate. Depending on how quickly your nails grow out, you should see clearing starting at the bottom of the nail in a matter of weeks. If could take 6-12 months for your old nail to be replaced by a new, clear nail.
The toenail is dead tissue so the treatment is relatively painless. Some patients feel a slight warming sensation during the procedure. There are almost no risks to having the procedure performed.
The fungus is a living organism which is killed when the laser heat penetrates the nail bed and vaporizes it.
Only an experienced physician or podiatrist can distinguish this condition from numerous other nail and nail bed pathologies, as only 50% of abnormal appearing toenails are actually fungal infection. Our physicians have years of experience diagnosing this condition and it is our goal to provide quality care. If you do not select Inkfree, MD for this service, please choose your provider carefully.
Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis is a condition in which a common fungus found in the environment invades the nail bed, leading to a yellowing, and thickening of the nail. Although anyone can acquire this infection it is more common in the elderly, and people with chronic medical conditions. Additionally, the same or different kinds of fungus can affect the fingernails of people who work in warm, moist environments (ex. bartenders and dishwashers) as well as those whose immune systems are compromised.
Depending on your genetics and lifestyle there is a chance that the veins will return. You should be under the regular care of a doctor if you have any conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or if you smoke. Additionally, if your veins appeared during pregnancy, you can expect that subsequent pregnancies will cause a worsening of your spider veins.
Yes, these veins are essentially dilated vessels which no longer serve any purpose in the body. Laser removal of these veins is strictly cosmetic and does not affect your general circulation.
Depending on the severity of your veins, you can expect 2-3 treatments spaced 6-8 weeks apart.
As with all laser skin treatments, you can expect a burning sensation to the treated area. Our laser is equipped with a built in cooling system to maximize comfort. Additionally, we offer a prescription strength anesthetic cream, which must be applied 30 minutes before the treatment begins, for those patients with particularly sensitive skin.
After the treatment, you can expect some redness, bruising and tenderness at the treated area. Additionally, some people may experience hyperpigmentation or darkening of the skin, especially in darker-skinned individuals or in those with a tan. This will fade over time.
The laser light is attracted to the hemoglobin present in the vein which coagulates or destroys the vessel. The selective wavelength of light is directed only at the target, hemoglobin in the blood vessel, and does not damage the skin or surrounding tissue.
The majority of people are good candidates for the procedure. You should be in good physical health, a nonsmoker and have realistic expectations about the results of the procedure. Additionally, you should not have uncontrolled diabetes, chronic disease of the blood vessels or any problems with bleeding.
Spider veins happen when circulation becomes compromised or inefficient. Conditions such as pregnancy, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time or genetic factors can all contribute to their formation. The valves and walls of the veins become weakened due to this inefficient circulation; in response, blood pools up and spider veins form. In the legs, they are related to abnormal blood flow in the affected veins, caused by any number of conditions that puts pressure on your legs, such as weigh gain, sitting or standing for long periods of time and pregnancy. Spider veins on the nose and face are related to overexposure to the sun.
Most people will generally need 2-3 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart for the best results. Larger and darker spots may require more treatments.
Depending on your skin type and the setting of the laser, you can expect an area of puffiness and redness where the spot was and an initial darkening of the spot. There are no limitations to your activities after treatment, you may swim and shower as usual. It is imperative to apply sunscreen to prevent recurrence in the treated area.
Most patients report a stinging and burning sensation during the treatment, which resolves almost immediately afterwards. If you have particularly sensitive skin, we will be able to provide a prescription strength anesthetic cream to minimize your discomfort.
We use a Q-switched laser which specifically targets pigment in the dermis and epidermis. The darkened pigment of the spots is selectively absorbed by the correct wavelength of light and shattered.
A solar lentigo, which is the medical term for a sun or liver spot, is a condition commonly seen in both primary care and dermatologist’s offices. Experienced practitioners are able to make this diagnosis with their eyes or with the use of a magnifier. If you are interested in having a sun spot removed, you will need to make an appointment with our doctor to make sure that it is a benign lesion, which can be treated with our laser. If we think that your spot is not a lentigo, but something that warrants a biopsy, we will be happy to refer you to a dermatologist.
If you receive the recommended number of treatments for your skin and hair type, you can expect to achieve 80% to 90% permanent hair reduction. However, there is always the chance that hairs which may have been dormant during your laser treatment will begin to grow. Additionally, hormone changes with time or changes in health or medications may affect hair growth. Many patients find that maintenance sessions done once or twice a year after completing the initial treatment protocol is ideal for keeping unwanted hair away.
There is no right answer as everyone’s hair and skin are different. Generally, we ask that everyone wait 6 weeks in between treatments and to expect 4-6 treatments for an 80% reduction in hair growth. More complete hair removal and darker, thicker hair may take 2-3 more treatments. Also, if you desire just a thinning of hair growth, you may require fewer treatments.
We offer some of the most competitive pricing in this area. There are no hidden fees or costs and we always offer a package discount. Additionally, we accept CareCredit, the leading provider in patient financing.
Yes, with our laser we can treat any area where you have unwanted hair.
Any laser procedure can cause scarring however the risks from laser hair removal are very minimal. The risks depend on the experience and skill of the laser operator, the amount of melanin in your skin and your particular ability to heal. Our laser technicians operate under strict protocols designed to maximize the efficacy of the treatment, while minimizing any risk of injury.
Laser light produces heat as it is destroying the hair follicle, so it is not uncommon for patients to feel some tingling and warmth during the procedure. Additionally, certain areas of the body are more sensitive than others and those with very thick dark hair may experience more pain as those hairs absorb more laser light. Our laser is equipped with a cooling system, which is especially designed to minimize any discomfort and our laser protocols are designed with your comfort and safety in mind. We also offer a prescription strength anesthetic cream, which must be applied 20-30 minutes before the treatment begins, for those patients with particularly sensitive skin.
Laser hair removal can be done on all skin types, but not all hair types. The laser works best when there is a contrast between the hair color and the skin color. Very light skinned people with red, blond or white hair will not achieve dramatic results. Dark skin and dark haired individuals, as well as lighter skinned individuals with darker hair will get excellent and often dramatic results.
Immediately after the treatment, you can expect to have a little bit of redness, known as erythema. This is normal and signifies that the follicles that were targeted were effectively treated. This erythema can last for a few hours for up to a day or two, but will resolve on its own. You should notice the hair begins to fall out 10-14 days after the procedure.
The laser works by targeting melanin, the pigment in our hair follicles. The light is focused on the follicle of the growing hairs, which is heated and destroyed. This is done without harming the epidermis, the top and superficial layer of the skin. The pigments in light and dark skin are best treated by two different wavelengths of light. However, light hair, such as red and blond, have very little pigment and will not get the best treatment results. The hairs that are actively growing are best targeted, which is why it is necessary to have multiple treatments spaced at least 6 weeks apart.
Unfortunately, we do not provide services to remove permanent make-up. The type of ink used in these cosmetic procedures has a tendency to darken with laser treatment. We would be happy to refer you to a dermatologist who can help you.
If complete tattoo removal is not desired, but simply a lightening for a cover-up, we are happy to work with your tattoo artist. You can expect to have the same number of time in between treatments, but may be able to have fewer depending on your skin type, type of tattoo you have and type of new tattoo you wish to get. Additionally, if you only want part of the tattoo removed, we can do that too.
It is important that after each procedure you follow the after care instructions. If you do so, you have a less than 5% chance of a scar. Your risks are increased with a history of scarring, darker skin or a history of keloid formation. We will discuss all these risks for you during your consultation and will not perform the laser treatment if your risks of scarring are too great.
Yes, laser tattoo removal can be performed on all skin colors and types.
Again, everyone’s skin is different, but you should schedule your sessions at least 6 weeks apart.
There is no one answer as everyone’s skin and tattoos are different. Most patients will need 5 to 15 sessions. In general, older tattoos (more than 10 years) and certain kinds of ink will need fewer treatments. You should notice fading after one or two treatments. Tattoos with more complex colors, especially yellows, blues and greens, will take more treatments and may never be completely removed.
It is fine to shower anytime following the treatment, even when you experience the most redness and blistering. You can let soapy water run over the treated area, but do not scrub it or expose it to water under high pressure. Soaking in a bath tub is not recommended until the area is fully healed.
- Immediately after the laser treatment your skin will appear white. We will apply antibiotic cream to your skin and bandage it with non-stick gauze. Over the next several days, you can expect redness, swelling and some blistering. These blisters are normal and you should not pop them. You should keep them covered and coated with a triple antibiotic cream for 3 days.
- Over the next week or two, the redness and swelling should get better and will be replaced by a scab. Again, it is important that you do not pick the scab as it can lead to infection and scarring. For any pain that occurs, you can use ice packs or take the recommended dose of Tylenol. Aspirin and ibuprofen can cause bruising.
- If you experience itching, you can apply any thick hypo-allergenic cream, such as Aquaphor or an anti-itch cream like Cortisone. If this itching is particularly bothersome to you, or if you are experiencing any discomfort, you will be able to speak with our doctors.
- Additionally, depending on your skin type and wavelength of light used, you may experience hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin) or hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin). Your skin will go back to normal over time and we will customize your treatments accordingly.
The pain of laser tattoo removal is similar to getting a tattoo applied, a stinging and burning sensation. However, the big difference is that removal is achieved in a matter of minutes, not hours. The treated area will be cooled before and during the procedure, which alleviates the pain. In addition, because Inkfree, MD is owned and operated by doctors, we are able to provide prescription strength anesthetic cream for our patients with particularly sensitive skin.
Before your treatment begins, you will have a thorough consultation with our staff to make sure that all of your questions are answered. We recommend that you avoid taking any medications, which could potentially thin the blood, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. If pain is a concern, you may take the recommended dose of Tylenol.
The area to be treated will be cleaned, cooled down and then treated with the laser. Depending on the size of the tattoo, your treatment can take anywhere from 10 seconds to 30 minutes, with most treatments taking approximately just 5 minutes.