You’ll get less satisfaction out of your laser hair treatments if you shave, pluck, tweeze, wax or sunburn prior to your laser removal appointment. Even using sunless tanning products will compromise the results, according to Jeffrey Raval, MD, FACS, owner and medical director of Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics in Cherry Creek North, Denver’s premiere shopping district.

The better you prepare for treatment, the more likely the treatment is to be successful. Studies show that laser hair removal treatments reduce hair growth from 20 – 90%, depending upon the individual. If you take these precautions, chances are you’ll increase your success rate, says Dr. Raval.

Do not tan, not even sunless tanning, 4 – 6 weeks prior to treatment. A tan increases side effects of blistering and skin discoloration. If you do tan, you’ll have to wait weeks to let the tan fade completely before undergoing laser hair removal.

Avoid waxing or plucking hairs including electrolysis prior to treatment too. Laser hair removal is most effective if hairs are visible but shaved short. You can shave the day of the procedure.

During the procedure, patients wear goggles to prevent accidental exposure of the eyes to laser light. Sometimes the physician or laser tech will apply a topical local anesthetic to the treatment area to reduce any discomfort, although many patients claim there’s nothing uncomfortable about the treatment other than the smell of singed hair which is normal.

Treatment can take minutes to several hours depending upon the area of the body being treated. It’s normal for the cost of the laser hair removal treatment to be based upon the length of time it takes to perform the service, so hair removal from the lip will be less expensive than hair removal across an entire back.

Call Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics today for an appointment. 303-985-8520.

Then turn back the clock

Exactly 40 years ago in 1969, a couple of out of work kids from New York collaborated to put together a music festival. Promoted as “An Aquarian Exposition,” the weekend-long music confab (August 15 to 18) was skedded to take place on a 600-acre dairy farm owned by a man named Max Yasgur. Max never imagined that the event would attract a half million concert goers or 32 of the best-known musicians of the day.

They arrived at Max’s farm without supplies of food, water and sunscreen. Sun tanning back then wasn’t frowned upon like it is today. Sunscreens weren’t as evolved either.

Today, the “kids” who ventured to Woodstock for that historic concert are in their mid-50s or older. Most of these Baby Boomers feel younger than their age and wouldn’t mind turning back the clock to look somewhat younger too.

Whether you’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, or if you just plan to head to a few concerts at Red Rocks this summer, Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics in Cherry Creek North can help turn back time.

The great outdoors can take a toll on your skin, especially in Colorado where we’re at altitude, cautions Jeffrey R. Raval, MD, FACS, owner and director of Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics. Besides the fact that Coloradans have the highest rate of skin cancer in the entire United States, protecting your skin from the sun’s damaging rays can go a long way toward keeping it unwrinkled and absent of age spots.

If your past as a sun worshipper is beginning to show, try the Diolite Laser at Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics. Say goodbye to any dark or brown spots caused by sun exposure. Have those cherry angiomas removed at the same time. It is a quick procedure with no down time required.

In summertime, skirts are shorter, tops are lower, and even makeup is sheerer and more revealing. If you’ve been working up to swim suit season since New Year’s or if you’re just now realizing summer is the season for looking fabulous, Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics can help.

With a few quick and easy injections, Dr. Raval who is known as The Filler Doc can turn back time, leaving your skin smooth and crease free. Dr. Raval chooses the best filler for your skin and your desired results from Botox, Juvederm, Perlane, Restylane, Sculptra, Radiesse, VolumaLift, Dysport or PureTox, depending upon where the treatment area is and what the individual’s needs are.

With age comes volume loss and to restore your skin to it’s young and healthy look, adding filler could be all you need.

Injections take but minutes and deliver immediate results. The improvements last an average of six months to a year depending on the type of filler used. Fillers are ideal for a lunch hour treatment. By the time you leave Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics, you’ll say, “What wrinkles?”

The Filler Guy, AKA Dr. Raval, will consult with you regarding the fillers he recommends and the results you can expect to enjoy. Most commonly, injectables treat the wrinkles surrounding or under the eyes, especially “crow’s feet,” and around the mouth, namely the nasolabial folds or “marionette lines.” Fillers are also used to smooth out the indentations in the glabellar region between the eyebrows.

Dr. Raval uses fillers to contour the shape of the face, smoothing the jaw line that becomes saggy and uneven with age. Fillers are also used to plump up the lips that narrow with age. Filler around the lip area is ideal to eliminate the fine lines that develop around the lips from smoking too.

Restore your skin, volume, shape and confidence with a visit to Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics. Visit www.rockymountainlaser.com or call 303.985.8520 for a consultation.