WHAT IS THE CARBON FACIAL AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Popular with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston, as well as our lovely patients, the Carbon Laser Facial is a treatment that instantly reduces skin concerns such as acne and pigmentation. Carbon laser leaves the skin visibly brighter, clearer, and smoother. This treatment is ideal to give your skin that celebrity glow that we are all after. To learn more about this fantastic non-invasive treatment, and why Hylagen Clinic is the perfect place to have it, please read on.
PLEASE NOTE: for men it is not possible to do any area of the face where facial hair is. This is because the laser will also target the hair and patchiness of hair could result.
Is the carbon facial the same as the carbon spectra peel and Hollywood peel?
The carbon facial goes by many names so it can get confusing! All the exact same treatment, just marketed under different names. The most popular terms you may have heard are:
Hollywood Peel
Carbon Spectra Peel
Carbon Laser Facial
Charcoal Facial
The Carbon Laser Facial involves a carbon lotion applied to the skin which dries immediately once on contact with the skin. Then a 1060nm wavelength laser reaches the dermis, creating controlled thermal damage to stimulate the healing process. This causes collagen, elastin and fibroblast production and remodelling to rejuvenate the skin and target fine lines and wrinkles.
The heat created also induces remodelling and contraction of the pores, making it an ideal treatment for those with enlarged pores. When targeted at acne, this high energy treatment goes straight to the acne’s membrane and destroys it, reducing acne and its related inflammation. Carbon facial is a help for acne, but more targeted treatments are recommended. Please ask you laser specialist.
The treatment comprises the removal of the carbon lotion with the laser. This laser breaks up the carbon into fine particles and then absorbs them, by destroying the carbon and removing the dead skin cells, oils and impurities that were bound to it. The skin also receives a deep exfoliation during this second stage, making it 4 times stronger than any other peel on the market, and leaving the skin considerably brighter, and smoother in tone and texture.
The next stage is to complete the facial with a second pass of the laser without the carbon to penetrate even deeper targeting lines and wrinkles and pigment.
The entire treatment takes approximately 60 minutes, and the effects are noticeable straight away. You’ll see an instant brightening of your skin, which will also feel smoother and softer than ever before.
WHAT HAPPENS AT A CARBON LASER FACIAL SESSION?
Before your treatment, you’ll have an in-depth consultation to help us create a personalised treatment plan for you. This is based on an assessment of the treatment area, as well as your medical history. Patient safety and care is of the utmost importance to all of us, and therefore this will ensure your happiness and well-being, and that you receive the results you deserve.
Before the treatment begins, we will clean the skin and then apply a thin layer of carbon paste to the face. This will quickly absorb any contaminants from within the pores and exfoliate the skin, while also reducing inflammation from any blemishes.
We’ll then pass the laser over the skin’s surface which instantly breaks down the carbon and absorbs any impurities due to the warming effect of the laser. When the laser has been passed over the face a few times, we’ll then gently remove the carbon mask with our short pulse Q-Switched laser.
It’s a relaxing procedure that simply requires you to sit back and drift off if you so wish. Your skin will be left plumper, firmer and soft to the touch. You’ll also notice a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles straight away, and a much more even skin tone.
WHAT AREAS CAN A CARBON LASER FACIAL BE USED TO TREAT?
The Carbon Laser Facial can be used to treat an array of skin concerns, including:
Tired, sunken & ageing skin
Uneven skin tone & texture
Pigmentation
Acne
Enlarged pores
DOES A CARBON LASER FACIAL HURT?
Not at all. You may experience sensations similar to a very small prick.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS OF A CARBON LASER FACIAL?
The Carbon Laser Facial is a completely safe skin treatment, with no reports of major skin complications or painful side effects. Post-treatment, you may notice some slight redness, and experience some tingling, but this will both subside post-treatment.
No downtime is required, and you will be able to resume daily activities straight away.
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?
The number of sessions needed is dependent on the size of the treatment area, and the desired effect. Usually, we recommend a course of 2-6 treatments, to take place every 2-3 weeks for the best in beautiful, long-lasting results.
HOW DO I LOOK AFTER MY SKIN AFTER THE TREATMENT?
Though you may experience some slight redness, this will clear up within a few hours, and can be soothed with some targeted Skincare. We recommend keeping the skin clean and dry while it’s red, but once this has cleared up, makeup can be worn. Try to avoid oily makeup however, as this will clog your pores again. Natural mineral foundations are always a good idea.
Results can be enhanced with minimal sun exposure, a reduction in stress and the absence of smoking. We recommend using SPF 50 sun cream to protect the area for at least 1 month following on from treatment, as failure to do so could result in hyperpigmentation.
If any blistering occurs, please call us for further help and advice. Keep the area as clean as possible and let it heal naturally. Do not pick the areas as scarring may occur.
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE A CARBON LASER FACIAL OVER THE CHEMICAL PEEL?
The Carbon Laser Facial involves a carbon mask that draws out the skin’s impurities, chemical peels typically use acidic chemical compounds to penetrate the epidermis and exfoliate the top layers of your skin. However, to gain the same glistening results as the Carbon Peel, chemical peels require higher concentrations of various acids, therefore resulting in downtime as the skin recovers from swelling and redness.
The Carbon Laser Facial is also better for those with sensitive skin, not only due to the treatment process, but the effects on the skin. The carbon laser renews the skin via the heat generated from the laser treatment, whereas the chemical peel tends to achieve similar results via a chemical reaction. Those prone to breakouts and eczema would also find the Carbon Peel kinder to their skin to.
We focus on using only the best products and treatments that are fully supported and tested to the highest standard as well as being FDA and MHRA approved.
Why use Hylagen Clinic for your Cosmetic Treatments?
Q. Why have treatments at Hylagen Clinic?
You will be treated by one of Ireland's leading cosmetic practitioners who are highly experienced in all cosmetic procedures. 12 years’ experience and 1000’s of patients, Hylagen Clinic is renowned for its high quality, honest, and ethical approach to cosmetic medicine.
We pride ourselves on patient care and experience, therefore, our experienced team will ensure that your visit and treatment is as informative, comfortable, and professional as possible.
The treatment is carried out at our clinic based in Newry. Only 45 minutes from Dublin and 30 minutes from Belfast. Conveniently located just of the motorway, with free carparking and discreet location.
Our patients are very happy with their results resulting in many returning to have additional areas. We also have many that recommend friends and family to the clinic.
We use only premium and FDA/MHRA approved products and technology for the treatments.
We are RQIA (Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority) approved & regulated clinic, this ensures that we carry out high standard treatments, hygiene, and care to our patients.
