General Laser FAQs
Patients and practices are raving about this "new class of laser." Whether you have or have not experienced laser or IPL treatments in the past, you can expect a one of a kind experience with the Nordlys Hybrid System. Handcrafted in Denmark our quality engineering, commitment to research, development and innovation since 1997 is what sets our system apart in the marketplace. Your clinical outcomes and patient care are our primary concern.
The Nordlys Hybrid System addresses over 80% of the most sought after concerns in practices around the world.
Nordlys Treatments include improvement of:
- Sundamage & Pigmentation
- Rosacea
- Port Wine Stains
- Hair Reduction
- Facial Telangiectasias
- Benign Pigmented Lesions (i.e. Lentigo Solaris)
- Benign Vascular Lesions (diffused redness)
- Poikiloderma of Civatte
- Inflammatory Acne Vulgaris
- Scars (targeting red or brown)
Using Nd: YAG laser:
- Leg Vessels
- Benign Vascular Lesions
- Venous Lakes
- Port Wine Stains
- Onychomycosis (Clear Nail Treatment)
Unlike other lasers, the light delivered using our Selective Waveband Technology (SWT) is a narrow waveband. The SWT applicators have been handcrafted to treat at the precise depth required and engineered for optimal treatment of the area of concern, with minimal damage to surrounding tissue structures.
Your treating clinician may recommend multiple modalities or treatments depending on your skin conditions. However, you may notice fewer treatments are required after completing your Nordlys Hybrid Package.
Unlike other laser systems, the Nordlys Hybrid System filters the unneeded light and selectively treats the area of concern. Because of this patented filtering process, less energy is required to efficiently and efficaciously treat those areas as well. In this case, less really is more!
The Nordlys Hybrid System has an extra filter to remove the infrared light. Infrared light is absorbed by water in the surrounding tissue structure causing unnecessary discomfort and increased risk during treatment. The advanced filtration process ensures that only optimal wavelengths that are required to perform the treatment are delivered to the treatment area. Therefore, the Nordlys Hybrid System is more effective. The Nordlys Hybrid treatments also do not require artificial cooling or numbing. Clinical trials documenting Ellipse's safety and effectiveness were carried out by leading doctors prior to the launch of the treatment. Published in respected, referenced medical journals, these studies are available for your review.
Many patients describe the treatment like a flick from a rubber band followed by a sensation similar to a warm day on the beach. Most patients find the treatment to be very tolerable with only mild discomfort as compared to other technologies. We do not suggest numbing agents as generally they are not necessary and often can limit the effectiveness because of the effect on the vascular elements in your skin. Most patients report a 3 on the 1-10 pain scale during treatment. Depending on the procedure you are having, please ask us about the best way to manage discomfort and degree of discomfort.
Treatment times vary between 5-20 minutes depending on the treatment and area being treated. The average treatment time is around 10-15 minutes. Most likely you will be scheduled for a 30 minute appointment to discuss your treatment, capture your photos and discuss any additional questions you may have.
It is not required to take time off after your Nordlys Hybrid Experience. After your Nordlys Treatment, you can return to your normal daily routine. There is little to no downtime.
After photo rejuvenation treatments, slight erythema (redness) is observed and will disappear after a few days without additional treatment. Cooling the skin with an ice pack may be comforting. The pigmented areas will become darker around three days after the treatment. It gives a "dirty look" which will persist for 7-10 days after treatment. It can be covered with make-up.
Most patients describe the feeling of heat and the mild snapping of a rubber band on the skin. Most often it is the bright light emitted by the device that is more uncomfortable than the pulse delivery. Goggles are placed over the eyes for protection. Again, as compared to other technologies, the Ellipse is described as a much more comfortable treatment modality.
Most patients see a noticeable improvement after just one treatment. Results vary from patient to patient and ongoing treatments may be needed to maintain your results. Be sure to consult your treating clinician regarding your treatment plan and expectations.
The number of treatments required will vary depending on the type of treatment, degree of skin condition, and the intensity of the treatment. Please ask our clinicians about your particular treatment schedule to appropriately set your expectations.
- Sun Damage: 1-4 Treatments*
- Rosacea: 1-3 Treatments*
- Hair Reduction: 4-6 Treatments*
- Acne: 4-5 Treatments*
- Scars: 2-5 Treatments*
- Leg Veins: Patient dependent, consult your treating clinician. Improvement after 1 treatment. Treat as needed every 8 weeks.*
*All Nordlys Treatments catered to your specific skin concerns. Certain patients may require fewer or more treatments depending on your goals. The number of treatments above are estimates. You may opt to have additional treatments in the future to maintain your results.
Side effects vary from patient to patient. Please speak with your treating clinician to discuss a full range of potential side effects and contraindications.
- Sun Damage: Targeted sun damaged areas will darken and look "peppery" or like coffee grounds. Over the next few weeks, the treated areas will stuff off.*
- Rosacea: The treated area may be pink or red immediately post-treatment. This will diffuse over the next few hours to a day later.
- Hair Reduction: You may notice some swelling around the hair follicle in the treated area. This will dissipate over the next few hours to a day later.
- Acne: The treated area may appear pink or red depending on skin sensitivity. This will diffuse over the next few hours to a day later.
- Scars: Depending on the color of the scar, you may notice a darkening in the area. This will lighten over the next few weeks.
- Leg Veins: Certain smaller veins may disappear immediately after treatment, others may have a "cat scratch" look. There may be mild swelling in the area. This will continue to improve over the next few days.
*Every patient is different. Please consult your treating clinician for a full list of potential side effects depending on your Nordlys Treatment, treatment area, and medical history.
Pricing varies dependent on the type of treatment delivered and size of treatment area. Please call to schedule your Nordlys Hybrid Experience Consultation to learn more.
It is important to have a medical history completed during your initial consultation in order to discuss possible contraindications. However, individuals with the following contraindications should not be treated with the Nordlys Hybrid System.
Contraindications Include:
- People taking photosensitive drugs
- Sun exposure before treatment without photoresist
- Infectious disease and / or injury in the treatment area
- History of abnormal scarring (keloids, hypertrophic scars, etc.)
- Pre-neoplastic disease or active
- Tattoos in the treatment area
Medical Considerations Include:
- Pregnant women and minors
- Sever psychiatric disorders
- Spray tan or self tanner
*Please consult your treatment clinician with any additional questions.
It is important to try to avoid direct sun exposure 1 month before and 1 month after treatment. Excessive sun exposure can not only cause you to hyperpigment and possibly burn, but it also counteracts all of the positive effects of your Nordlys Hybrid Experience.
If you have darker skin, it is often advised to pre-treat with a hydroquinone or a bleaching agent as prescribed by your physician. This should be administered 1 month before treatment and ceased 1 week prior to treatment. Patients taking any medications (even over the counter) that cause sun sensitivity (St. John's Wort, for example) should not be treated.
For any Vein or Vascular Nordlys Treatments, patients should not be taking anti-coagulation medication and smoking is prohibited 6 hours before treatment.
Your skin will be cleansed and pictures are taken to photo document the results achieved. During treatment, protective goggles will be placed over the eyes to protect them from the flash of light emitted by the device. A light layer of ultrasound gel will be placed in the treatment area to allow for the best penetration of the energy and most effective treatment results.
Following the treatment, it is important to avoid direct sunlight and wear sunscreen. Your treating clinician will provide pre- and post-treatment instructions for your review.
Photo Rejuvenation: Diffuse Redness & Pigment
Remove age spots, diffuse redness, poikiloderma of civatte (discoloration on the neck) and uneven pigmentation on the face and body.
Sun damage and brown spots may be genetic in origin or caused by physical damage such as sunburn or injury as well as the natural effects of aging. The lesions can very in size and color.
The Nordlys selective waveband technology works by directing well-controlled pulses of light into the upper skin layer. The light is absorbed by two of the body's own natural chemicals - melanin in the pigmented areas and hemoglobin in the red blood cells.
Both these pigments convert the light into heat. This heat is used to destroy the parts of the cells in which the melanin is stored. The heat is also used to target and damage the walls of the vessels supplying blood to the areas where vascular damage is seen.
The visible light produced by the Nordlys is carefully controlled to the correct pulse length and right amount of energy to destroy the targets without damaging the surrounding tissue.
Treatments are most efficient in patients with light skin who are not suntanned at the time of treatment. If your skin is less tanned, the contrast between the age spots/blood vessels and background color of the skin is greater, making treatment easier. However, Ellipse has pre-programmed settings for different skin types that deliver the correct energy output for your complexion.
A full-face treatment takes less than 20 minutes. You should seen an improvement after the first treatment, but up to 3 treatments may be required to achieve the full effect.
No numbing cream or cooling devices are required. Many patients describe the treatment as practically pain-free, like a flick from a rubber band followed by a sensation similar to the feeling of gentle warmth after a day on the beach.
The light used is completely safe, visible light. It is, however, important to avoid tanning (sun or self-tanning products) before and during the treatment period. Otherwise your tanned skin will absorb more light, which makes treatment less effective and less comfortable. Generally, no special care is necessary after treatment, but people with sensitive skin may benefit from applying a cold compress (a cold damp cloth) to the face immediately after treatment or from using an ointment prescribed by the doctor. After treatment, you should avoid sun exposure for 30 days, even if there is no sign of inflammation in the treated area. Use sun protection (minimum SPF30) if sun exposure cannot be avoided.
Following the treatment, pigmented areas continue to darken, looking peppery and almost like coffee grounds. Over the next week or two those areas will stuff off. Many patients report their skin feels tighter, smoother, and refreshed. Women have also reported that it becomes easier to apply makeup. You might choose to have 1-2 annual treatments in order to maintain your youthful appearance.
Clinical trials documenting Ellipse's safety and effectiveness were carried out by leading doctors prior to the launch of the treatment, and these were published in respected, referenced medical journals.
Photo Rejuvenation is a quick and simple treatment that does not interfere with your normal daily routine. Revitalize your appearance by repairing sun damage head to toe.
Photo Rejuvenation: Vascular Lesions, Rosacea & Thread Veins
A large number of men and women all over the world suffer from disorders of the blood vessels (vascular lesions). Vascular lesions are the result of numerous or large vessels that form directly underneath your skin. These lesions occur in many shapes and sizes and can be found all over the body. They occur in a variety of forms including port wine stains, broken capillaries, diffuse redness, hemangiomas, and cherry angiomas. Some lesions are present from birth while others develop with age or as a result of environmental damage (such as sun exposure).
The Nordlys selective waveband technology works by directing well-controlled pulses of light into the upper skin layer. The light absorbed by hemoglobin in the red blood cells, creating heat. This heat is transferred by the walls of the blood vessels, which are permanently damaged and removed by the body's own defense mechanism.
Many different problems can be treated. Treatments are most efficient in patients with light skin who are not suntanned at the time of the treatment. If your skin is less tanned, the contrast between the blood vessels and background color of the skin is greater, making treatment easier. However, Ellipse has pre-programmed settings for different skin types that deliver the correct energy output for your complexion.
Often, several vessels can be targeted in one flash of light. The treatment time depends on the area to be covered and the number of distinct vessels to be treated. A single session typically lasts 15-20 minutes.
It is important to avoid tanning (sun or self-tanning products) before and during the treatment period. Otherwise your tanned skin will absorb more light, which makes treatment less effective and less comfortable. It is also a good idea to avoid smoking in the 4 hours prior to treatment. Generally, no special care is necessary after treatment, but people with sensitive skin may benefit from applying a cold compress (a cold, damp cloth) to the area immediately after treatment or from using an ointment prescribed by the doctor. After treatment, you should avoid sun exposure for 30 days, even if there is no sign of inflammation in the treated area. Use sun protection (minimum SPF 30) if sun exposure cannot be avoided.
The number of treatments depends on the location and number of vessels to be treated.
No numbing creams or cooling devices are required, and many patients describe the treatment as being like a flick from a rubber band followed by a sensation similar to the feeling of gentle warmth after a day at the beach.
Acne
Obtain a clearer complexion without the use of antibiotics or other medications. Acne occurs when sebum is unable to leave the skin because a hair follicle is blocked. This may result in growth of bacteria below the surface of the skin. Inflammation can occur, and rupture of an inflamed area can lead to scarring.
The Nordlys Acne Treatment uses Selective Waveband Technology reducing the blood supply to the sebaceous gland, which slows the production of sebum and accelerates the heading process for acne.
A normal hair and sebaceous glad (1) can become partially blocked (2). Acne bacteria lives on the sebum and produces fatty acids. The body responds by blocking the gland's exit to the skin (3). Sometimes the mixture of hair protein, oil, and fatty acids damages the walls of the follicle and cause inflammation (4). The Nordlys SWT Treatment works by reducing the blood supply to the sebaceous gland, which slows down the production of sebum (5).
Hair Removal
Nordlys Hybrid Experience hair removal provides excellent hair clearance after only 4-6 treatments. Most patients see significant improvement even after their first treatment. It is important to complete your series of treatments to ensure optimal results. With some of the longest ongoing clinical studies showing 77% clearance after 10 years, you can appreciate the long term benefit of hair free areas.
A thin layer of gel (similar to ultrasound gel) is applied to your skin before treatment to ensure the maximum amount of light enters the skin. The Selective Waveband Applicator is pressed against the skin and a carefully controlled pulse of visible light is released. Potentially harmful wavelengths and wavelengths that only heat up water in the skin are removed using patented Dual Mode Filtering. The remaining light is absorbed by pigment (melanin) in your hair. Melanin converts the light into heat which travels down the hair and heats the hair matrix, preventing future hair growth.
Because the treatment relies on absorption of light by melanin, there needs to be melanin in the hair. This means that light blonde, red, grey, or white hairs do not respond, and the most efficient treatment is seen with dark hair. The Nordlys Hybrid System is able to treat all colors of skin, and has pre-programmed settings for different hair thicknesses and skin colors to match your exact needs.
The treatment time depends on the size of the area. A large number of hairs can be targeted in one flash of light. Treatment of the upper lip takes less than 5 minutes, whereas the back or both legs may take 20-30 minutes.
Every hair has a life cycle; it grows for a period of time, falls out, rests and then starts to grow again.
It is important not to pluck, tweeze, wax, or use hair removal creams during the four weeks before treatment. This ensures that as many hair follicles as possible contain a hair which can be destroyed.
It is also important to avoid tanning (sun or self-tanning products) before and during the treatment period, otherwise your tanned skin will absorb the light instead of your hair. It is also recommended to use sunscreen (minimum SPF 30) for four weeks following treatment.
While pain tolerance varies per individual, no numbing creams or cooling devices are required, and most people describe the sensation as practically pain-free, similar to that of a rubber band snapping onto the skin.
Clinical trials documenting Ellipse's safety and effectiveness were carried out by leading doctors prior to the release of the product, and it has been in daily use for over 15 years with - uniquely - a 10-year follow-up study showing long lasting results. You are welcome to view the scientific papers on the Ellipse website at www.ellipse.com.
Veins & Vessels
Improve the look of your legs with The Nordlys Nd:YAG.
The Nordlys Nd:YAG Laser is the preferred treatment. Ideal for isolated facial telangiectasis or vessels especially around teh nose, or venous lakes (vascular formations in the lip area), reticular veins (around the eye), and cherry hemangiomas foudn all over the body. The Nordlys Nd:YAG is also the gold standard device for treating leg veins.
As we age, valves in our leg veins become less efficient, so less blood is pumped back from the legs. This means blood vessels in our legs become larger, darker, and more visible. In severe cases, varicose veins may form and may require surgical treatment. Other vessels can be treated by injection (sclerotherapy). Smaller vessels (leg telangiectasia) are often treated by laser, such as the Nordlys Hybrid System Nd:YAG laser.
The Nordlys Nd:YAG uses a precisely calculated pulse of laser energy, exactly directed to the vessel being treated. This causes the blood inside the vessel to heat up; causing the wall of the vessel to collapse. The vessel is then broken down by the body and reabsorbed naturally.
The Nordlys leg vein treatment uses the latest in cooling techniques - SoftCool™ - to minimize discomfort and protect the surrounding skin. Most people find that treatment of smaller vessels is practically pain free. Even treatment of larger vessels is only mildly uncomfortable. The Nordlys Nd:YAG hurts less than most other systems and the results are worth it.
Avoid sun exposure in the four weeks up to treatment and avoid smoking at least a month before the treatment (smoking causes the vessels to constrict, so there is less of a target available to treat). After treatment, you should avoid sun exposure for 30 days even if there is no sign of inflammation in the treated area. Use sun protection (minimum SPF 30) if sun exposure cannot be avoided.
Smaller superficial vessels can disappear and others will appear to have a "cat scratch" look immediately after treatment. Others will fade away more gradually over the next few weeks. There may be some slight swelling or puffiness in the area (lasting up to 2 days) in the treated area.
This depends on the number of vessels being treated. A single treatment is typical for most individual vessels, though some larger ones may need a second treatment. Your doctor will be able to make a more accurate assessment following examination.
Onychomycosis (Nail Fungus): Clear Nail Treatment
There is a huge and growing base of patients who need a definitive onychomycosis treatment. A treatment that is more effective than topical solutions and at least as effective as systemic anti-fungals, but without the long-term commitments and especially without the risk of side effects associated with systemic drugs.
Onychomycosis (nail fungus) can affect finger or toe nails. It becomes more common with age, and certain other groups have a higher risk of developing the condition - people with diabetes, athlete's foot, or circulation problems; people who sweat a lot, or even use communal showers at the gym or swimming pool.
You may be reading this because you have found that anti-fungal nail paints don't work for you, or because you have read about the side effects (such as headache, nausea, or diarrhea) of oral anti-fungal drugs. Ellipse Nd:YAG treatment offers a reliable and effective treatment without the risk of uncomfortable side effects.
The Nordlys Nd:YAG Onychomycosis treatment is able to treat all colors of skin. Before treatment, your doctor may take a nail cutting to ensure that fungus is the real cause of your nail problem.
A series of flashes of infrared light is aimed across the whole nail, including the nail folds (the skin immediately surround the sides and base of the nail). This heats up and destroys the fungus that is present. To ensure complete coverage, the whole series of pulses is repeated four times and the individual flashes overlap each other.
Because the fungus can spread from one nail to another, normally all ten nails are treated, even if nail fungus is visible on only one or two fingers or toes. However, treatment of the whole ten nails normally takes only ten minutes.
Typically, a course of 3 treatment sessions is necessary, with one month intervals for finger nails and two months for toenails. Following the treatment, you will see the area of new nail growth is clear. Since the nail grows slowly, this clear area may take 3-4 weeks to become apparent.
Like any other treatment of nail fungus, Ellipse onychomycosis treatment is a treatment, not a cure. It deals with the problem that exists and does not give immunity against infection at some future time. It is only necessary to remove nail polish before treatment. Your doctor will advise you on the best ways to prevent reinfection.
No; the treatment gives a feeling of gentle warmth while the laser is flashing.
Clinical trials documenting Ellipse safety and effectiveness were carried out by leading doctors prior to the release of this treatment.
Warts
The Nordlys Nd:YAG laser provides a fast, effective treatment of resistant warts (those which do not respond to other treatment methods). An intense beam of infrared light is used to burn and destroy the wart tissue. A local anaesthetic may be given depending on the number and location of the warts. A single burst of light is enough for smaller warts, whereas larger ones such as plantar or mosaic warts found on the soles of the feet may require multiple shots to ensure the whole area is treated. To assist the light to penetrate the skin, any callus or area of dead skin present will be thinned out using a razor or scalpel, and a thin layer of optical coupling gel will be applied.
A wart is a growth caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Most warts go away on their own within months or years; 50% disappear in 18 months or less. Their removal can be sped up by using a silver nitrate solution, salicylic acid, or by freezing. The over the counter freezing kits using CO2 are not as effective as having a treatment using liquid nitrogen in a doctor's practice. If the treatment methods above are not successful, the wart is classified as recalcitrant and is suitable for the Nordlys Wart Treatment.