Smooth Skin Laser

Carrie and Andy Macfarlan opened the Charlottesville office in 2010. Skin rejuvenation, scar minimization and tattoo removal were added in 2019, and a Richmond office opened in 2022 in the West End near the University of Richmond, with parking in front of the building on the upper level. Charlottesville is open Monday through Thursday from 9 to 6, Tuesday until 7, and two Saturdays a month by call. Richmond is open Monday from 10 to 6, Tuesday and Wednesday until 7, Thursday until 5, and Friday from 10 to 3, with one Saturday a month by call.

Laser hair removal can be done on the face, lip, chin, body, legs, bikini, arms, back and chest. A $50 consultation fee applies and is credited toward the first treatment. Sessions are usually spaced four to six weeks apart, and five to eight treatments are typically recommended. Small areas such as underarms take about ten minutes, while larger areas such as legs or back take 30 to 60 minutes. Before a session, clients shave the area 24 to 48 hours ahead and stop Retin-A or Trentanoin products five days earlier. Between sessions, tweezing and waxing are not advised, though facial hair may be bleached. Clients under 14 are not treated, and ages 15 to 18 need parental consent. The practice does not offer Botox or other injectables, and it does not offer Brazilian treatments for men.

Skin rejuvenation is performed by one of the two physicians, with a $50 consultation. The PicoSure system, used for brown spots, texture, pores, tone, fine lines, melasma, acne scarring, pigmented skin tags, rosacea and cherry angiomas, is available at the Charlottesville office only. Tattoo removal also starts with a one-on-one consultation with a physician and a $50 fee. Tattoos must be at least six weeks old before treatment begins. Sessions are spaced six to eight weeks apart and typically take three to 12 treatments. Black, brown, green, blue and purple ink can be treated, while red, yellow and orange ink cannot. Eyebrow tattoos can be minimized.

The practice aims to make clients feel comfortable and reassured, and technicians are expected to listen closely to what each client needs. A portion of proceeds supports Young Life Charlottesville and Camp Holiday Trails.

Treatments are performed by nationally certified technicians under the supervision of a physician, with skin rejuvenation handled by one of the two physicians.

The salon aims for a welcoming, reassuring feel where clients are listened to.