Leading Advanced Skincare And Laser Clinic

We specialize in delivering remarkable results through our cutting-edge treatments, focusing on promoting healthy skin, efficient tattoo removal, and effective hair removal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some common questions asked about our types of procedures; laser hair removal, laser tattoo removal, laser skin rejuvenation, plus pre-treatment and post-treatment advice.

If you have any questions that are not answered below, please do not hesitate to contact us in confidence.

Questions On Laser Hair Removal

Does It Hurt?

The laser/IPL fires short pulses of light which can feel warm against the skin surface. We use a powerful cooler to lower the skin surface temperature ensuring that most of our clients experience no more than mild discomfort. After initial consultation and at your discretion we will require you to do a hair removal test patch, this is to check that the laser and your body will react in a positive way to the treatment – this will need to be carried out at least one week before the treatment starts. As long as there’s no adverse reaction after the test patch, then the hair removal treatment can continue.

Can All Hair Colours Be Treated?

Lasers and IPLs work best on dark hairs on fair skin as the darker pigmentation in the hair absorbs the light more effectively. Vale Laser Clinic offers Nd;Yag laser treatment which is effective for darker hair on darker skin type 4. We also offer the 650nm IPL which works well on skin types 1 to 4, as well as the 650nm Advanced which works on finer lighter hair on lighter skin types 1 to 3. Unfortunately, white and grey hair have little or no melanin and do not respond to laser or IPL treatment.

How Long Does A Session Take?

Sessions can be anything between 10 minutes to 1 hour depending on the area being treated.

How Many Sessions Does It Take?

On average 6-8 sessions which are needed every 4/5 weeks. The exact number of treatments will depend on hair colour, skin colour, hair density and hair growth cycle. Fairer hair or dark skin will require more treatments.

What Are The Side Effects and The Healing Process?

Laser hair removal is very safe as long as it’s performed by trained professionals on adequate machines. After the first session, the treated area may feel hot and will probably be red or swollen. Do not use any perfumed products on the skin for 48hours after treatment and when cleansing use a good antibacterial soap. Protect your skin from the sun for the first two weeks after treatment, then use sunblock for the following 6 weeks. Cold compresses or Aloe Vera gel will help to sooth the area, do not use ice packs direct to the skin.

Questions On Laser Tattoo Removal

Does it Hurt?

The tattoo removal laser fires short bursts of energy which can feel a little uncomfortable, no more than having the tattoo in the first place and has been described as being flicked with an elastic band. We provide a cooling system to reduce any discomfort as much as possible. After initial consultation and at your discretion we will require you to do a tattoo removal test patch, this is to check that the laser and your body will react in a positive way to the treatment – this will need to be carried out at least one week before the treatment starts. As long as there’s no adverse reaction after the test patch, then the tattoo removal treatment can continue.

How Long Does A Session Take?

Sessions can be anything between 10 to 45 mins depending on the size and colour of the tattoo which is being treated.  Sessions are usually 6 weeks apart.

How Many Sessions Does It Take To Remove A Tattoo?

This depends on the outcome required, for example if the tattoo is to be removed completely then a lot more sessions will have to take place rather than if the tattoo just needs to be faded slightly to allow for a cover-up, the size and colour of the tattoo are also a factor in how many sessions are needed.  Amateur tattoos can be quick to remove taking 1-4 sessions whereas professional tattoos can vary considerably and can take 10-12 sessions. These factors will be discussed and a rough idea will be given in the initial free consultation appointment.

How Should I Look After My Skin During the Healing Process?

Vale laser Clinic will always be on hand if you need further advice on the healing process.

What Are The Side Effects and The Healing Process?

Laser tattoo removal is very safe as long as its performed by trained professionals on adequate machines.  After the first session the treated area may feel hot and will probably be red or swollen. Do not use any perfumed products on the skin for 48hours after treatment and when cleansing use a good antibacterial soap. Protect your skin from the sun for the first two weeks after treatment, then use sunblock for the following 6 weeks. Cold compresses or Aloe Vera gel will help to sooth the area, do not use ice packs direct to the skin.

Very dark tattoos will probably remain swollen for a few days, over the next seven days slight blistering may form followed by a scab or thin crust, any scabs or crusting should be allowed to fall off on their own or scarring may occur, over the following few weeks the unwanted tattoo will start to fade, this is the bodies way of removing the unwanted ink particles.

Client Information Sheet for tattoo removal with pre and post treatment advice.

Questions On Laser Skin Rejuvenation

Does It Hurt?

The laser/IPL fires short pulses of light which can feel warm against the skin surface.  We use a powerful cooler to lower the skin surface temperature ensuring that most of our clients experience no more than mild discomfort.  After initial consultation and at your discretion we will require you to do a test patch on the area to be treated, this is to check that the laser and your body will react in a positive way to the treatment – this will need to be carried out at least one week before the treatment starts. As long as there’s no adverse reaction after the test patch, then the skin rejuvenation treatment can continue.

What Are The Side effects and The Healing Process?

The intensive light can cause slight swelling and redness in the treated area, especially in areas where the skin is very thin or especially fragile. However, any redness or soreness typically subsides within a few hours after the procedure. Hot showers, hot baths and saunas are to be avoided for 24 hours. Do not use any perfumed products on the skin for 48 hours after treatment and when cleansing use a good antibacterial soap. Protect your skin from the sun for the first two weeks after treatment, then use sunblock for the following 6 weeks. Cold compresses or Aloe Vera gel will help to sooth the area, do not use ice packs direct to the skin.  Vale Laser Clinic will always be in hand to discuss the healing process and offer further advice.

How Many Sessions Will It Take?

Usually between 3-5 sessions to see the maximum benefit of skin rejuvenation although the treatment of some smaller lesions or veins my clear with just one treatment.

Is It Suitable For Everybody?

There are contra-indications (reasons why IPL may not be suitable for you), such as:

  • Recent sunburn
  • Recent sun exposure or sunbed
  • Fake tan on the treatment area
  • Pregnancy
  • History of seizures
  • Severe dermatitis or eczema (within the treatment area)
  • Active infections
  • Roaccutane (oral acne medication) use in the last 6 months
  • Herpes 1 or 2 (within the treatment area) If you have a history of herpes close to the area being treated, it is recommended that you take antiviral medication before the treatment.
  • Very dark skin
  • Use of Photo sensitising medications
  • If put on a course of antibiotics, please contact the clinic before treatment

It is important to protect your skin from direct sun exposure over the series of your treatments and it is highly recommended to use an spf30+ sunblock.  Sun beds and sunbathing are to be avoided. Photorejuvenation treatments can be carried out all year round as long as you are not planning to be in full sun exposure immediately following a treatment.

Pre-Treatment Advice

  • The area to be treated should be free from make-up, and body or face creams. Be careful when using spray deodorant prior to treatment.
  • There should be no active or fake tan in the area to be treated. Use of sunbeds or prolonged exposure to sunlight is not allowed in the month prior to treatment and an SPF 30 must be used on the area between treatments. Sun-tans must be left to fade completely before treatment can start. Fake tans and gradual tanning products must also be fully faded before treatment can commence.
  • We reserve the right to charge for any appointment booked but abandoned due to active sun-tan or fake tan.
  • A medical history is taken at consultation, but we rely on you to inform us of any changes to this. We need to know of any medication you are taking including those bought from a chemist or herbalist.
  • Please make sure that you arrive in good time for your appointment; this will allow us to pre-cool the skin if this should be required.
  • Hair should be trimmed or removed using a razor. It is important that you cut or shave the area where you are having treatment for more effective results. For hair removal, please do not wax, pluck or thread as this will remove the hair from the follicle that is being targeted.

Post-Treatment Advice

  • In order to minimise skin heating and to reduce the likelihood of skin reactions, the treatment area may be cooled before, during and after the procedure. If the area still feels hot at home you can apply a cold flannel or cool pack. Do not allow ice packs or ice into direct contact with the skin.
  • Following treatment, the area may appear red and raised and you may experience a tingling sensation. This is completely normal and should settle over the next few days.
  • Occasionally you may experience swelling or bruising and this can last anything from 1-2 days up to 1-2 weeks. If you experience swelling, it is usually worse one to two days following treatment. If it follows treatment to a facial area, sleeping with your head raised on pillows will minimise its appearance. Ice packs will also help to reduce the swelling. If your skin is particularly sensitive and prone to histamine reactions, you may also wish to consider taking an anti-histamine medication.
  • Following vascular treatments a bruise may appear at the treated area. This may last up to 15 days and as the bruise fades there may be brown discolouration of the skin. This usually fades in 1-3 months. When larger vessels are treated they may take on a darker colour. Again this may take up to four weeks to resolve as the body re-absorbs the damaged vessels.
  • Make-up can be applied after several hours, if the skin is not sore or broken. However, we advise caution if the area is feeling sensitive. Remove make up carefully as rubbing the skin can cause irritation or infection. If the skin at the treatment area becomes broken, then make-up should be avoided.
  • Care should be taken to avoid trauma to the treated area for 4 or 5 days afterwards. Avoid strenuous activities, sauna and steam, excessively hot baths, massaging etc.
  • Wash and bathe as normal but take cool showers rather than hot baths. The skin should be patted dry and not rubbed. Use Lynton Light Soothe serum to keep the area moisturised and the skin protected. If there is any discomfort, treat the area as you would sunburn.
  • Use a sunscreen (SPF 30+) and protect the area from sunlight as much as possible between treatments and for at least one month after treatment ends. Failure to do this can lead to sunburn and hyper-pigmentation of the treated area. (Most cases of change in pigmentation occur when the treated area has been exposed to sunlight, or in people with darker skin types).
  • If blistering occurs contact the clinic immediately for further advice. Keep the area clean and dry and allow to heal naturally. Do not use any lotions or creams on open skin as this may increase the risk of infection. DO NOT pick grazes or blisters – as this may increase the chance of a scar occurring. Once the skin has healed, a high protection sunscreen should be used daily for 12 months to prevent pigmentation changes to the skin.

She is absolutely fantastic and extremely competent with her work.

Currently having laser tattoo removal done with Emma. She is absolutely fantastic and extremely competent with her work. She’s a pleasure to be around and always makes my experience very comfortable for me. She’s so helpful with other aspects of my health which I am very grateful for! Will 100% be looking to get some other treatments done with Emma!

Ellie Harford

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