Hollywood Laser: Effective Facial Laser Treatment using Nd:YAG Laser

I am writing this because I have experienced the wonderful effects of the Nd:YAG laser, a.k.a. the Hollywood Laser facial treatment. It was my first time and did not regret trying it at the Skin Solutions Dermatology and Laser Center.

What is Nd:YAG Laser

Nd:YAG stands for neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet. Meanwhile, FYI, LASER is the acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

In the Nd:YAG laser, the atoms in the Nd:YAG crystal are “excited by a flashlamp.” This will then produce amplified light that travels at 1064mm, which is a specific wavelength. This wavelength is outside the visible spectrum and within the infrared range. The good news is, this particular wavelength has been discovered to have many practical applications, including for beauty.

Uses of the Nd:YAG Laser

The Nd:YAG laser is used for a variety of medical, dental, automotive, manufacturing, military, and other scientific purposes. There are different types of Nd:YAG lasers. Journals say that this classification is based on the amount of power delivered to the flashlamp and the pulse width of the laser output.

Here are the different heads of the Nd:YAG laser in order to achieve different results:

• 1064mm hand piece – removes and lightens speckles, age spots, sun burn spots, and tattoo in rendered in black and blue
• 532mm hand piece – removes and lightens red and brown colored tattoos
• Black Treatment Head – for skin rejuvenation and carbon peel

The 1064mm and black treatment head were the ones used on me. This video was taken when I had the Hollywood Laser facial at the Skin Solutions Dermatology and Laser Center here in Bacolod City. Dr. Maria Rhea Serondo, a seasoned Bacolod dermatologist, did the procedure on me. The black treatment head is for carbon peeling, which is what you will see on the video below. That thing on the doctor’s left is a smoke suction.

Nd:YAG Laser Beauty Applications

Here are the five applications of the Nd:YAG laser for beauty treatments. These are all available at the Skin Solutions Dermatology and Laser Center.

• Removal of Dark Spots – This is for underarms, groin, knees, elbows, and others.
• Removal of Age Spots or Sun Spots – This is for freckles, lentigines, and melasma.
• Skin Rejuvenation – This is good for open pores, scars, and wrinkles.
• Carbon Peel – For cleansing and oil control.
• Tattoo Removal – Applicable for different colored tattoos.

The Process

Getting the Hollywood Laser facial treatment is pretty simple. You start with the usual facial cleaning, as follows:

• Removal of makeup
• Facial cleaning
• Steaming
• Suction
• Mechanical removal of whiteheads and other dirt
• Application of carbon mask
• Nd:YAG Laser treatment

Benefits of Hollywood Laser Facial

The Nd:YAG Laser for derma applications is often called Hollywood Laser because celebrities usually have this before an event. Unlike other beauty treatments, you can do this in the morning and still have yourself dolled up for your evening event. I can attest to this because I had this treatment in the morning and when evening came, I was ecstatic when I applied my makeup! My skin was soooo smooth I could scream!!!

Safe

The Nd:YAG laser has been proven safe because of the very specific spectrum of light use. And at the Skin Solutions, only Dr. Serondo, a well-trained and passionate Bacolod dermatologist, performs it. That is quality assurance.

Effective

You would be surprised at the results. But yes, the Hollywood Laser truly lives up to its name because your skin is totally improved after just a single session. I tried it only once and experienced a noticeable change on my face. Will detail it below.

Immediate results

You will see and feel immediate results after just one session.

No Downtime

This is what I like about the Hollywood Laser. You see, I have also experienced diamond peeling in the past. But I am always told not to wash for eight hours after the treatment. And for the succeeding three days, I can only a specially formulated mild soap. While I like having a diamond peel from time to time, I don’t like the not washing thing. I have very oily skin that seems to attract every minuscule thing floating in the air. It gets so sticky.

Meanwhile, the Hollywood laser only needs an application of sunblock after you leave the derm clinic.

Fast

At the Skin Solutions Dermatology and Laser Center, the facial is pretty fast because everything is mechanized. They hardly resort to pricking, but instead use a vibrating stainless steel scraper to remove whiteheads. The carbon mask was applied and then the Nd:YAG laser treatment followed. I think all in all, the process took only about 45 minutes from facial to laser treatment.

Easily accessible

This high-tech laser treatment is now easily accessible here in Bacolod City. No need to go to Manila and receive such sophisticated beauty treatments.

Cost

The Nd:YAG laser treatment at Skin Solutions is quite reasonable, as optimum results can already be achieved with a once a month visit. I cannot tell you how much it is because prices vary, depending on the skin condition of the patient. Also, the number of treatment sessions to achieve the best results will also vary.

Sigrid Says

I had a trial of the Hollywood Laser facial treatment, which was graciously done by Dr. Serondo.

Here’s my experience:

Sensation

You will feel a slight tingling sensation on your skin, like the laser is spritzing. It’s not painful, but may be uncomfortable for some. While I have a low tolerance for pain, this one did not give me discomfort. Plus, the treatment is very fast. You will also smell some burning, which is the reason why there is a smoke suction.

On the Skin

After the treatment, my face was applied with sunblock. Then I was off. I felt a very slight stinging on the surface, which faded about 30 minutes later. So it was fine. I went on with the rest of the afternoon, taking care of the kids, and eventually took a bath around 4:30pm to prepare for my evening party. It seemed like no procedure was done on my face in the morning. I just used my regular cleanser, too.

While applying makeup

When it was time to apply my make up, I first used liquid foundation. It’s just my usual but what felt different was when it was spread evenly on my face. It felt so smooth. Afterwards, I let it dry a bit and then dusted my dual powder foundation. It was the most perfect matte look I have had on my face that I squealed!!! As in!

I think my skin was tightened because I could still feel some whiteheads coming out on their own. Plus the oil was really controlled. During the event, I didn’t need to retouch my powder, which I normally do because an hour later I would be as shiny as a greased pan. But this time, I finished the four-hour event without needing a touch up! Hooray for laser!

Three days later

So I had another evening event three days later. I did not mind the Nd:YAG laser treatment anymore. But when I applied make up, there is that distinct smoothness again. Dr. Serondo says that the effect should last for about three weeks, which is why she would recommend the treatment once a month. And still, the claim of oil control continues to work.

In Conclusion

I so love the Hollywood Laser treatment and I would recommend, especially if you are already middle-aged and with large pores like mine. It controls oil and I believe it would also control the breakouts when pore size as well as clogging are minimized. Of course, my complexion isn’t perfect. Being acne prone, I have so many deep scars plus lots of pigmentation. It will take several sessions to probably correct so many of these deep-rooted mistakes. But what I can say is, you see and feel immediate results.

Check this out. The Hollywood Laser facial just might be the solution to your skin problems.

Bacolod Dermatologist and Laser Center

Skin Solutions Dermatology and Laser Center
by Serondo Skin and Surgical Clinic

Unit A-01 Negros First Cybercentre
Lacson corner Hernaez Street, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Please call for appointments. Most of the procedures are done by the doctor herself.
Tel. No. (034) 432-1533 | (+63) 92-LOVE-SKIN