Elite iQ™ Laser

Lasers have been used for skin care and hair removal for decades, but the technology behind them continues to improve — making them more effective and versatile.

The Elite iQ laser, now offered at the Midtown Health and Wellness Clinic, can remove unwanted hair; address skin conditions ranging from wrinkles to sun damage to rosacea and broken blood vessels on the face, and treat spider veins on the legs.

The dual-wavelength system uses smart technology with the Skintel® melanin reader to non-surgically treat all skin types and tones safely. The technology enables practitioners to tailor treatments by customizing the settings to each patient’s skin type and hair texture.

For hair removal, the Elite iQ can treat the underarms, arms, legs, bikini area, face and back — in both men and women. Treatment usually takes less than 30 minutes. After the procedure, patients should expect to see a gradual decrease in the amount and thickness of the treated hair. You may also experience a reduction of in-grown hairs.

According to the manufacturer, in one study, patients experienced a 79 per cent reduction in hair after only three treatments.1  (Note that a minimum of six treatments are usually required to achieve optimal results.)

1Kilmer. S., Lloyd J. Long-term Laser Hair Reduction Efficacy: A Report on the Use of Long-Pulsed Alexandrite Lasers for Hair Reduction.

When used for leg vein treatments, the laser light targets and constricts the blood vessels that cause the spider vein without damaging the surrounding tissue. Treatment takes between 15 and 30 minutes. Improvement in the treated area should be seen after the first session, but more than one treatment is usually required to reduce the appearance of leg veins completely.

For skin revitalization — including treatments for hyperpigmentation, as well as for fine lines and wrinkles — pulses of light from the Elite iQ laser penetrate the dermis, targeting brown spots and sun damage, and treating the aging structure of the skin’s sub-layers. The body’s natural healing process then repairs the tissue, resulting in improved skin texture and tone, and reduced lines. Depending on the individual nature of the patient’s skin, for wrinkles, one treatment may be sufficient or a series may be required; while successful hyperpigmentation treatment usually involves a few to several sessions. A session usually takes between 30 to 60 minutes.

With rosacea, the Elite iQ laser targets blood vessels in the face without harming the surrounding skin. This action activates the body’s natural healing process resulting in the gradual disappearance of the blood vessels. Treatment usually takes between 30 to 60 minutes.

In addition to these targeted skin-revitalization treatments, the clinic is excited to now offer the Elite iQ™ 5D Facial. This advanced four-step treatment, exclusive to the Elite iQ platform, uses different laser wavelengths ranging from superficial to deep to target five different layers of the skin. The result is an all-in-one treatment that stimulates collagen to firm and tighten, improve facial contours, and target wrinkles and fine lines, as well as brighten, reduce redness and address hyperpigmentation. You should see immediate results with no downtime. For optimal results, treatment is recommended twice a year. 

Book a consultation to discuss whether the Elite iQ laser is appropriate for your aesthetic concerns. Individual treatments and packages are available, depending on your specific care needs.

FAQ

  • As the treatment only targets hair in the active phase of growth, multiple treatments are usually required for complete removal. The number of treatments required depends on the size of the area being addressed, which will be discussed in your consultation. A minimum of six treatments are usually required to achieve optimal results.

  • During your consultation, a treatment plan that’s appropriate for your concerns will be discussed. Between one to several sessions may be required.

  • Depending on your skin’s condition and the area of concern, the treatment of sun damage and hyperpigmentation may require a few to several sessions. Optimal results are usually achieved after three to five sessions.

    Lines and wrinkles may require only one session, or, if deeper or more numerous, a series of treatments may be required.

    Patients with rosacea usually see results after the first treatment, but optimal results usually require a series of three to five sessions.

    For optimal results from the Elite iQ 5D Facial, treatment is recommended twice a year.

  • Elite iQ treatments are usually well tolerated with minimal discomfort, but this can vary from patient to patient. Sensations reported during treatment include something akin to tingling or the snapping of an elastic.

    Some patients being treated for rosacea have also reported a sensation of gradual heating. A topical anesthetic is always applied to ease any discomfort that may occur.

  • Prior to the procedure, the area should be clean-shaven. For four weeks prior, avoid plucking, waxing and electrolysis, as well as sun exposure. For seven days prior, avoid exfoliating agents as well as topicals with active ingredients — such as retinols, AHA and glycolic acids, vitamin C, hydroquinone and self-tanning preparations. Also avoid any use of antibiotics, such as tetracyclines, related to recent illness or for the treatment of acne, rosacea or other skin conditions, for at least one to two weeks prior to treatment. Wear a high-protection broad-spectrum sunscreen daily.

  • Avoid any hair-removal products or treatments for at least three days. Avoid vigorous exercise, sports and hot showers for two to three days following treatment for hair removal, and for seven to ten days after treatment for veins. For treatment of leg veins, avoid short-haul flights for two weeks and long-haul flights for three weeks post treatment. Wear a high-protection broad-spectrum sunscreen daily.

  • Most patients can immediately return to their daily activities.

  • The device can be safely used on all skin types — whether the treatment is appropriate for your aesthetic concerns will be discussed during consultation.