Lasers require expensive routine maintenance, but a few high quality laser spas go the extra mile and invest large sums of money to upgrade their machines as well. Every couple of years in addition to routine maintenance Skin Bar invests in laser equipment upgrades. This week the completion of upgrades to our Cynosure Apogee Elite lasers was completed. Skin Bar lasers are now armed with new power supplies, software upgrades, laser rods and pump chambers. An investment exceeding $50,000 ensures Skin Bar clients achieve the best laser hair removal results in the industry.
Our recent upgrades include a new power supply and hand pieces. These upgrades speed up the treatment time making your treatment more comfortable and getting you back to your daily routine faster than ever.
A pump chamber in a laser is like the heart of the machine and the computer is like the brain. They work together to deliver each laser pulse to the area being treated. We replaced every one of our pump chambers and upgraded the computers with new software. So, with a new heart and new brain these lasers are operating at the highest level.
Who needs a hot rod?
The rod is what produces laser energy. It’s what gives the lasers their names. The YAG rod creates the YAG wavelength for treating darker skin types, and the Alex rod creates the wavelength that is safe for lighter skin tones. The energy is then transferred to the flash lamp and enhanced inside the reflective coating of the pump chamber. Then it is sent out of the laser to the hand piece and area being treated. Over several years of treatments, rods begin to accumulate microscopic pitting. Another factor that contributes to a decrease in the reliability of results. That is why Skin Bar replaces rods with some frequency.
All the magic happens inside the pump chamber. Every intense pulse is made right inside that box. Over time, heat and intense power begin to wear down the coating, the rod and flash lamps. Collectively this wear can dramatically reduce effectiveness and ultimately your results.
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
That might be true for some things in life, but when your reputation depends on delivering results a proactive investment is rewarded with happy clients who refer their friends and family. That’s Skin Bar’s philosophy and it has paid off. Skin Bar has over 700 laser hair removal memberships and a staggering 96% retention rate.
Pump chambers and software can last for over a decade, but like anything that has been used for a long period of time things just don’t work the same as when they were new. This is true for laser systems. By upgrading every two or three years we ensure that all systems are working like new- all the time.
Routine maintenance is good enough for me.
Not if you want exceptional results. So-so results yes, exceptional results no. And here’s why. Routine maintenance of lasers is recommended twice a year. During the maintenance call the laser is given a three point check.
The laser is calibrated. Calibration ensures the settings plugged into the machine are what come out of the laser. Very important for safety.
Flash lamps are replaced. These lamps produce the flash of light that make a laser pulse. Flash lamps have to be replaced over time because they begin to wear out and lose efficiency and effectiveness.
Filters are replaced. Many laser systems are water cooled. Like a car radiator they need to be flushed and filters need to be replaced for smooth operation.
Routine maintenance is important but very superficial and does not involve any examination or evaluation of key components like the rod, pump chamber or software. Something to remember if you think you might not be getting the kind of results you are looking for.
Lasers are complicated machines. They house very sophisticated computers as well as laser cavities that produce the laser beam that zaps the hair follicle. Together they perform an intricate dance that results in the service we all know as laser hair removal. That is why going beyond routine maintenance is so important. Ask your laser spa when the last time the laser you are being treated on was serviced. At Skin Bar it is noted right on our lasers. You can see for yourself.