What a Candela Laser Session Is Actually Like

If you've never had a laser skin treatment, the unknown is usually the hard part. Will it hurt? Will your face look raw afterward? Do you have to hide at home for a week? Donna Starnes answers those questions on her own FAQ page. This post walks through the same appointment in order, so you know what to expect before you book.

The laser Donna uses

Donna uses a Candela fractional non-ablative laser. The "non-ablative" part is the one worth understanding. Ablative lasers remove the outer layer of skin, which is why they tend to come with a long recovery. A non-ablative laser works without taking that layer off, and Donna describes hers as not causing physical injury to the skin surface. "Fractional" is the general term for treating the skin in a pattern instead of every square millimeter at once.

Donna works from Suite 10 on the second floor of Salons By JC at 4051 S Custer Rd in McKinney. The person who talks through your concerns beforehand is the same person holding the handpiece.

Before the laser: records and approval

Your first visit starts with information, not light. Donna collects what she needs for her medical records and for her medical director, and treatment begins after a medical professional gives approval. It's easy to skim past that step, but it's the reason a first appointment can feel a little like a consultation. Come ready to talk about your skin: what bothers you, what products you use now, and what you've tried before. The more specific you are, the easier it is for her to build a plan around you instead of handing you a standard routine.

The numbing wait

Next, Donna applies a lidocaine compound to numb your face and neck and leaves it on for 45 minutes. It's the longest stretch of the visit and the quietest. Most people read, answer emails or just sit back. The point of the wait is comfort: by the time the laser comes out, the numbing has had time to do its job.

Because the services on her menu run different lengths, ask when you book how long your particular appointment will take, and plan the rest of your day around that answer.

The treatment itself

Donna starts by working in the deep tissue and then moves on to the superficial tissue. She personalizes the setting for each person, which matches how she talks about her work in general: skin is unique, so there's no one-size-fits-all approach. The laser portion lasts around 20 to 30 minutes.

Here is the whole visit in order:

• Records collected for Donna and her medical director
• Approval from a medical professional before treatment begins
• Lidocaine compound applied to face and neck and left on for 45 minutes
• Laser work, deep tissue first and then the surface, with settings chosen for you
• About 20 to 30 minutes of treatment
• Cooling enzyme and sunscreen applied at the end

The first few hours

When the laser is done, Donna applies a cooling enzyme and sunscreen. After that, her FAQ says you usually have mild swelling and redness for a couple of hours. Occasionally someone will stay red or puffy for a day. Everybody's skin reacts a little differently, so it's fair to ask her how you might look afterward, especially if you have an event that evening.

Her answer to "will there be a long downtime?" is no. She explains that this technology is different from lasers that take off layers of skin and leave you with weeks of recovery.

What happens after you leave

You will see changes, but Donna is upfront that one treatment is measured over about 4 weeks. Your skin needs that time to purge old skin, build collagen and resurface the outer tissue. That's why the real answer to "when will I see results?" isn't the drive home. Many clients do best with a series of 2 to 4 treatments, depending on age, skin condition and specific concerns. Our article on why results take 4 weeks goes deeper on the timing.

If you'd like to talk through whether this treatment suits your skin, you can book online through GlossGenius at donnastarnesmedspa.glossgenius.com, or call or text Donna at (214) 892-6464.