Apiderm - Laser Hair Removal

Apiderm
2221 Livernois Road, Suite 107,
Troy Mi. 48083
Located in the Olympia Medical Center complex.
Phone 248 528-2028
Fax 248 528-3002
apiderm@sbcglobal.net

Apiderm is a laser electrolysis and skin care center located in Troy, MI. Apiderm has been bringing out the better side of their clients since 1994. Apiderm is a member of the Better Business Bureau and the Troy Chamber of Commerce.

Apiderm is located at 2221 Livernois Road, Suite 107
Troy, Michigan 48083 (248) 528-2028 (Located in the Olympia Medical Center complex.)

April Predeteanu, both owner and operator, started her career as both esthetician and assistant to a Dermatologist for over ten years, where she gained an extensive knowledge of skin care. April is a licensed electrologist, cosmetologist, and esthetician. Her skin care experience now totals over 26 years. In addition, she has 17 years of electrolysis experience, including seven and a half years with laser hair removal. She currently holds five certifications in laser hair removal including extensive training in Washington, DC and Florida. She is knowledgeable, professional and actively attends annual continuing education courses. April is a member of the Society of Clinical and Medical Electrologists, Inc.

Apiderm is the FIRST SKIN CARE CENTER in Michigan to use the LightSheer Diode Laser & the EpiLaser, an FDA approved laser-based hair removal treatment that provides quick, safe and effective removal of unwanted or excess hair. We also offer the Harmony AFT Skin Rejuvenation treatments. Say good-by to outdated PhotoFacials, IPL and Thermage. Advanced Florescent Technology is here! A medically proven non-sugical skin rejuvenation process that will leave you amazed. If you want dramatic results without drastic plastic surgery methods or if you have budget concerns, this is definitely something for you. Younger, clearer, smoother looking skin awaits you.

Vascular & Pigmented Lesions Lifting & Firming
Wrinkle Reduction Rosacea
Sun Damage Brown/Age Spots
Acne Spider Veins

Free skin consultations available by appointment.

Before you choose a Laser Center...

You need to know that all lasers are not created equal. Only a hand full of the dozen or more lasers on the market can claim permanent hair reduction. Some so-called lasers aren't really a laser. They are nothing more than a flash lamp that can only stunt or slow down hair growth for a few months at best. Don't spend hundreds of dollars on this flawed procedure when you can save your money and get similar results from a less costly waxing procedure.

Sure, there are some places that claim they can laser a back for as little as $199.00 or upper thighs for $250.00 or less. This sounds great but they also claim the treatment takes about an hour. Our training and experience have taught us differently! To get the best results, you must do a thorough job. An average-sized man's back should take between two and three hours while a woman's thighs should take between three and four hours. Sure, others may charge less but they work too quickly and end up missing spots. Ultimately this wastes your time and money. Remember, you really do get what you pay for.

Some places even offer guarantees. This is nearly impossible to offer since there has yet to be a laser produced that can claim 100% percent permanent results. If any center makes this claim, be careful, as they are most likely stretching the truth. To achieve the best results you may need to combine electrolysis with your laser treatments. Periodic touch-ups might also be necessary. Keep in mind that pregnancy, hormone levels and endocrine imbalances, in addition to certain medications, have the possibility of causing hair to reappear on previously treated areas.

Another trap to avoid is being told that you are a "perfect laser candidate" when in reality, you might not be. Are you aware that only certain hair colors and skin tones are candidates for laser treatments? While keeping this in mind, please note that many facilities claim that they can treat "any" skin tone. Are you aware that having a tan before, or during your laser treatments can affect your results and possibly even ruin your skin?

Many facilities will treat you like a number and tell you anything just to take your money. At Apiderm we will treat you differently. We will be honest with you, and we will treat you with care and respect. To us, our reputation matters just as much as the results of your treatment. We are Laser Treatment experts, and we're the first in Michigan to own the Light Sheer Diode. We've trained most of our competition in Michigan and parts of Ohio. We have been responsible for training nurses, electrologists, physicians, and their staff members. But not all of our laser students have practiced what we have taught them.

Please schedule an appointment or stop by Apiderm today and find out if laser hair removal is right for you. We treat men, women, children, and trans gender clients. We offer a clean, friendly, professional and safe environment. We will answer all of your questions during your free consultation. Call today to schedule your appointment.

A Better Solution For Unwanted Hair

Apiderm is the first skin care center in Michigan to use the Light Sheer Diode Laser!

Delicate enough for a woman's fine, sensitive skin and robust enough for a man's beard, back or arms. This versatile laser was specially created to treat excess, unwanted dark hair on virtually any skin tone or type.

LightSheer treatment is fast, gentle and precise. Treatments that might span months or even years with electrolysis or electrothermolysis take a few short visits with the LightSheer Diode Laser.

Here's How it Works
The LightSheer's laser beam targets the pigment located in hair follicles (pigment gives hair its color). The laser pulses (emits its light) for only a fraction of a second, just long enough to vaporize the pigment, thus destroying or significantly impeding the hair's ability to regrow, but not long enough to affect the surrounding skin. A unique, patented sapphire-tipped hand piece cools on contact, protecting the skin while directing the laser energy to the hair follicle.

What You Can Expect
The length of a laser session may be a few minutes to an hour or more, depending on the size of the area being treated. Because the laser tends to treat hair follicles that are in an active growth phase, more than one treatment may be required to disable hair follicles that subsequently enter this growth phase.

Laser treatment itself may cause a slight tingling sensation. Most clients tolerate the procedure well. But because some areas of the body are more sensitive than others, topical anesthesia is always available.

The appearance of the treated area immediately after a laser session will vary from patient to patient depending on the extent of treatment and skin type. Immediate after-efects, if any, are minor. They may include redness and swelling, which disappear in a short time. Most people return to normal activity right away. We will be happy to tell you more about your treatment and what you can expect during your consultation.

LightSheer Q&A

How does hair grow?
Hair follicles develop from a complex series of interactions between different elements of the skin. Interestingly, not all hairs are actively growing at the same time. They actually go through distinct phases: growth, regression, and resting. The duration of each phase is dependent upon several factors, including body location. For example, at any one time 90% of the hairs on the scalp are in the growth (anagen) phase, compared to only 70% of the hair on our arms. During the regression (catagen) phase, the surrounding skin begins to absorb the hair bulb. Finally, the hair enters the resting (telogen) phase, at the end of which the hair falls out and the follicle begins the cycle again.

What affects the look of body hair?
Age, ethnicity, medication, hormone levels, and body site influence the length, coarseness and color of body hair. How much hair you have depends on how many hairs are in the active growth phase, and how long that phase lasts.
What are the alternatives for hair removal?

Shaving - A simple method, it doesn't affect the coarseness, thickness, growth rate or cycle of the shaved hair. However, it is only a transient solution, and requires a constant commitment to maintaining a hair-free appearance.
Tweezing - Is tedious, painful and impractical for large areas.
Waxing - This procedure can cover a large area at a time and results may last a month or more, but it's painful and can often cause allergic reactions and inflammation of the hair follicle.

Electrolysis - This involves inserting a needle into each hair follicle and applying an electrical current. Expertly used, it can be successful in eliminating hair permanently. However, because you can treat only one hair follicle at a time, it is a tedious, time-consuming process.

Why use LightSheer over other laser systems?
Apiderm has selected this laser because of the wide range of clinical use in laser hair removal. The long wavelength of this system allows even darker skinned patients to be treated. This laser has been tested and proven to be effective for laser hair removal.

How does the LightSheer system remove hair?
The light emitted by the LightSheer laser is absorbed by the pigment located in the hair follicle. The laser is pulsed, or "turned on," for only a fraction of a second. The duration of each pulse is just long enough to disrupt the hair follicle. The LightSheer's unique, patented contact-cooling handpiece helps protect the skin by cooling during the laser energy delivery. The diode light at 810nm is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and this energy is converted to heat which results in thermal damage to the hair follicle. This thermal damage causes delayed re-growth of the hair, and in some cases permanent destruction of the hair follicle.

Is it safe?
Yes. The LightSheer System was developed from years of research at the Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine, one of the world's leading and most respected medical research institutions. The laser parameters were carefully defined to inhibit the regrowth of the hair by studying the anatomy of the hair follicle and precisely matching the laser output to the size, depth and location of hair follicles. A unique component of the LightSheer System, the actively-cooled handpiece was designed to conduct heat away from the skin before, during, and after each pulse.

Does it Hurt?
You may feel a tingling or stinging sensation, and some areas of the body are more sensitive than others, but most people tolerate the procedure well. If you find the initial treatment too uncomfortable you can request a prescription for a topical anesthetic from your physician.

How many treatments will I need?
The LightSheer laser works by disrupting hairs that are principally in the active growth phase at the time of the treatment. Since other hairs will enter the growth phase at different times, additional treatments will be necessary to disable all hair follicles in a given area. Our staff will help to develop the best program that fulfills your needs. Treatments are given at intervals of 6-8weeks. At least three treatments are usually necessary.

LightSheer Diode Laser

The patented ChillTip contact cooling handpiece represents a breakthrough in client safety and comfort.

Are the results permanent?
The LightSheer is the only laser approved by the FDA for permanent hair reduction. Clinical studies show LightSheer ranked as the most effective. Clients can expect a permanent hair reduction after 3-4 treatments, however in some cases they may require more to get results.

What happens after treatment?
Within several minutes, the treated area may become slightly red and puffy. This reaction subsides quickly and within a day or so the areas return to normal. Since the LightSheer laser does not cut the skin, bandages are not necessary and most people return to normal activity immediately. DO NOT, however, plan any important social engagements for one week after your treatment.

Your technician will advise a special treatment gel to be applied for 3-7 days following treatment. Around day 3-7 after treatment you may experience what seems to be hairs re-growing. Many of these hairs, however, are being shed and are not regrowing. In-between treatments you should not wax or pluck your hairs.

Who is a good candidate for LightSheer laser treatment?
The ideal candidate has dark hair and light skin. Darker hair absorbs more of the laser light, and lighter skin interferes less with the movement of the laser light into the hair follicle. Dark or tan skin runs a higher risk of pigmentation changes following the procedure. Keep in mind that it's not impossible to treat darker skinned individuals. Dark skin requires a test patch first and will require more visits using more conservative settings. Your laser technician can determine during your initial consultation if you are a good candidate.

An AFT light therapy approach to eliminating unwanted hair provides the ultimate treatment solution, unlike many other treatment methods, AFT Hair Removal leaves your skin looking and feeling smoother and softer.

"I no longer have to shave, tweeze, pluck, wax, or suffer from ingrown hair! I feel liberated!" - M.J. Miller

How does AFT Hair Removal work?
Without damaging the surrounding skin, controlled flashes of light penetrate the skin and are absorbed by the hair follicles. The heat damages or destroys the potential for regrowth. Because of the significantly large spot size created by this unique technology, backs, shoulders, abdomens and legs can be treated quickly. Facial areas such as the lip, chin, and beard, can be treated in minutes.

Who are candidates for treatment?
Men, women, and children may be treated with AFT. Treatments can be customized according to your hair color, texture, and body location. Hair of any color - black, brown, and red - can be treated. Treatment is effective on all skin types, including dark-skinned individuals of all ethnic origins. To find out if you are a candidate, ask to schedule a consultation.

What are benefits?

The FDA approved this technology for permanent hair reduction.
A customized program can be designed along with an estimate of how many treatment sessions you may need.
Less pain and discomfort compared to other treatment methods.
Large areas can be treated quickly.
Chance of scarring and pigmentation changes are minimized.
What is treatment like?
First, the area to be treated is cleansed, the hair is shaved and a cool gel is applied. Through the AFT hand piece, gentle pulses of light are emitted and penetrate the skin to begin disabling the hair follicles. Each pulse may feel like a snap of a rubber band or a slight sting or pinch. Most of the hair wipes off immediately, the remaining hair falls out over a period of a week or two.

Are there any possible side effects?
Side effects are rare. Blistering, soft scabbing or redness sometimes occurs at the treatment site, but resolves quickly or within a few days. In certain cases, the skin could become slightly lighter or darker. You will be notified during your consultation if you are susceptible to these side effects. For 2-4 weeks before and after treatment, you must limit your sun exposure. This will greatly minimize the risk of complications.