Q: Sources and studies

Mayo Clinic. Laser hair removal . Roberts, Wendy, et al. "Laser Treatment of Skin of Color for Medical and Aesthetic Uses With a New 650-Microsecond Nd:YAG 1064nm Laser." Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. April 2019.

Question 1

What is the Neo Elite Aerolase laser?

Accepted Answer

The Neo Elite Aerolase laser is a versatile 1064 nanometer Nd:YAG laser that’s FDA-cleared to treat 36 skin concerns, ranging from acne and vein issues (like spider veins and angiomas) to rosacea, psoriasis, scars, hyperpigmentation (including age spots and melasma), and ingrown hairs (including pseudofolliculitis barbae or PFB).

“The Aerolase Neo laser can treat all five types of acne,” says Dr. Andrew Choi, a facial plastic surgeon in Los Angeles. “Acne treatment results vary, depending on the individual patient, but it effectively reduces or eliminates the number of bacteria dwelling in a patient’s dermal sebaceous glands.”

Sometimes called the LightPod Neo, it’s also used for laser hair removal, as well as overall skin rejuvenation and tightening.

The laser can also safely, painlessly, and effectively treat skin of color, as evidenced by a 2019 study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.

What sets the Neo Elite Aerolase laser technology apart is its short, 650-microsecond pulse duration (the amount of time it takes to deliver laser energy to the treatment area). The standard 1064nm Nd:YAG laser has a long pulse, but due to its shorter pulse, the Neo has time to cool itself between pulses.

That means that the skin surrounding the targeted concern (veins, vascular lesions, sebaceous glands, the follicles of unwanted hair, etc.) never becomes too hot or uncomfortable. No matter what skin condition you’re having addressed, you shouldn’t expect any discomfort—there’s no zapping or hot spots, and no anesthetic is required. The experience is described as a mild, tolerable heat.

Because the deep heating of the laser occurs more rapidly than the rate at which heat is conducted to the surrounding skin, the Neo Elite doesn't cause burns or the other adverse side effects that are sometimes seen with the traditional 1064nm Nd:YAG laser. Even for patients with olive, brown, or deep skin types, the risk of side effects is significantly lower than with most other laser treatments.

Downtime is minimal. Some patients report a slight redness in the treated area, although this usually fades within a few hours.

The family of Aerolase lasers includes the Aerolase Neo Elite, the Neoclear, and the Neoskin by Aerolase. Each serves a specific purpose.

Question 2

What is NeoClear?

Accepted Answer

NeoClear is an Aerolase laser that uses 650 microsecond technology to treat active acne.

The light-based therapy is suitable for acne patients of all ages or skin types, but is particularly ideal for people who haven't responded to traditional therapies or who are unwilling or unable to take oral medications like isotretinoin (aka Accutane).

NeoClear targets acne in several ways, including by reducing inflammation, destroying p. acnes bacteria (the bacteria that causes acne), shrinking or damaging overly active oil glands, and stimulating the production of collagen, to help prevent acne scarring and smoothing scars from previous breakouts.

Question 3

What are the pros and cons of a Neo laser treatment?

Accepted Answer

Pros

An Neo Aerolase laser treatment is a very tolerable treatment option that's usually painless without the use of topical anesthetics. Most patients report feeling a slight warming sensation.
The laser is safe and effective on all skin tones, including the most deeply pigmented skin. Its unique 650-microsecond pulse duration means the laser’s energy passes through the skin quickly and doesn’t overheat the epidermal melanin.
The Neo Elite’s 1064nm laser light is attracted to a combination of melanin, hemoglobin, and water within the skin tissue. Coupled with its unique skin cooling ability, the laser is able to safely treat a variety of skin concerns and skin conditions.
It’s proven to reduce the appearance of melasma, a condition that's very difficult to resolve.
It's particularly effective at reducing pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), a hard-to-treat skin condition where hair grows back into the skin. PFB is most common in skin of color.
There's generally no downtime after the treatment, so you can expect to return to your normal activities immediately. Any redness or inflammation should fade within a few hours.
The treatment doesn't affect facial fillers, says Dr. Choi. "If you're highly concerned, do the laser treatment first and then follow it with a filler injection."
RealSelf members give the Neo laser a type: embedded-entry-inline id: Ks6V6ARYAktTMUTOEu3el Worth It rating.

Cons

A single treatment usually isn't enough to achieve the desired results. You’ll likely need 4–6 treatment sessions to achieve the full effect, depending on your goals.
You need to avoid direct sun exposure right after your treatment and wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ every day, to prolong your results.
Once you've achieved the results you're after, you may need maintenance treatments every few months to every few years, depending on your concerns and how well you take care of your skin.
Skin improvements with the Neo laser may not be as significant as those you would get with a more invasive, ablative laser like the CO2. To improve outcomes, a Neo laser treatment can be combined with other procedures, such as microneedling with PRP (a combination known as a Vampire Facial), says Dr. Jason Emer, a dermatologic surgeon in West Hollywood, California.

Question 4

How much does the Neo laser cost?

Accepted Answer

Your cost will depend on the number of areas you have treated, the number of treatment sessions you need to achieve the full effect, the experience level of your provider, and their practice location.

Since most indications for the Neo laser are cosmetic, it’s not likely that your procedure will be covered by health insurance.

Question 5

How soon will you see Neo laser results?

Accepted Answer

How soon you'll see results depends on your skin concerns and their severity. During a consultation with your doctor, they'll recommend a full treatment plan, including the number of treatment sessions you’ll need.

Acne: One study on reducing active acne and acne scars included a series of 3 treatments, 2 to 3 weeks apart, but some providers recommend 4 to 6 treatments every other week to treat acne. Improvements are usually seen within 4 to 8 weeks, but acne is often a chronic condition, so you may need more treatments down the road to maintain clear skin.

Hair removal: Another study published in the Journal of Cosmetic & Laser Therapy tested the device for its hair removal abilities and treated patients monthly for four months. You’ll need to commit to 4 to 6 laser hair removal treatments to get 84% hair reduction (which is very good, by laser treatment standards). Keep in mind, though, that permanent hair reduction is not the same as permanent hair removal; maintenance treatments may be needed, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Skin rejuvenation: 6 monthly treatment sessions are recommended to treat signs of aging, although improvements in signs of sun damage (fine lines, age spots, laxity) may be seen immediately or in the first few weeks after the initial visit.

Facial veins: Studies show an 80% improvement after 2 monthly treatments.

Rosacea: The manufacturer points to an 83% improvement after 4 monthly treatments.

Question 6

Are results permanent?

Accepted Answer

How long your Aerolase laser results last will depend on your skin concern, skin care regimen, and how well you protect your skin from the sun.

For instance, if you're seeking treatment for skin rejuvenation, remember that skin continues to age. So, once you've achieved the desired improvement in signs of aging from your first round of treatments, you'll likely need additional sessions every year or two to maintain the results.

The same holds true for acne. According to the manufacturer, some people treated for acne have experienced clear skin for years, while others needed to be retreated after several months, when another breakout occurred.

Question 7

Sources and studies

Accepted Answer

Mayo Clinic. Laser hair removal.

Roberts, Wendy, et al. "Laser Treatment of Skin of Color for Medical and Aesthetic Uses With a New 650-Microsecond Nd:YAG 1064nm Laser." Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. April 2019.

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