Sep 23, 20205 min read

Client Experience: What is a Carbon Laser Facial?

I'm Elaine. I'm a client at NU-U Laser. I'm a mid-thirty-something writer and editor and I have offered to write a blog on my carbon laser facial experience.

Last week I visited NU-U Laser and Aesthetics Clinic for my first carbon laser facial. I first visited the clinic for IPL treatment and I casually complained to Ruth about my recent almost-year-long skin issues. I'd been used to having quite clear skin as a teenager, beside the lingering white and blackhead issues in my nose, but in recent months, I'd felt quite acne-prone, breaking out frequently with no remedy in sight. Ruth told me about carbon laser facials and how they could help solve my stubborn skin issues. I was sold! I'm getting married next year (thanks to a Covid-19 one-year postponement) but I'd been using the lifted lockdown as a way to make myself feel and look my best before walking down the aisle. I knew that I wanted my skincare problems to be a distant memory.

I turned up at the clinic with some eye makeup on but without foundation. Although I'm told that you can turn up in your makeup, Ruth will remove it, and you can reapply if before you leave, whatever makes you feel comfortable.

I didn't know what to expect with the facial but Ruth put me at ease. She has a knack for putting people at ease, even when she was lasering off hair in my nether regions a fortnight ago!

She explained to me that she would put a carbon paste onto my face and then she would use a laser to remove the carbon paste from the skin. The laser would reduce my pore size, remove built-up dirt and oil and blackheads and whiteheads. She said it wasn't painful but some people liken it to a small pricking feeling.

How did I hear about NU-U Laser and Aesthetics Clinic?

Before I continue, discovering NU-U Laser and Aesthetics was a happy accident. I saw on my Facebook feed where someone in the local area (Todmorden for me) was asking where people could go for IPL treatments. I messaged Ruth and she gave me a great deal on full-body treatments. Unfortunately, I'm rather hairy and I'd done my research and IPL seemed the way to go. Ruth's clinic is recognised by the British Medical Laser Association and, during my consultation, she was incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and explained to me the treatments, the cost, and the option for a payment plan.

During my first IPL session (a couple of weeks or so after my test patch), I heard about the carbon laser facial (as mentioned) and I was more than interested.

What is a carbon laser facial?

So, a carbon laser facial is a treatment that celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Angelina Jolie, and Jennifer Aniston swear by. And, I mean, who doesn't think they look amazing?

Except at NU-U Laser and Aesthetics, a carbon laser facial will only set you back £70 per treatment and in LA, these celebrities are paying $200-300 or more for their treatments. BARGAIN! I say!

So, this facial is sometimes called a 'carbon laser peel' and it is known to reduce skin concerns like acne, backne, and pigmentation. What? All that in one treatment? Sign me up!

It leaves the skin brighter, clearer, and smoother, and it's non-invasive. It works by creating controlled thermal damage to the skin which stimulates the healing process, causing collagen, elastin, and fibroblast production to rejuvenate the skin. It can target fine lines and wrinkles as well as skin blemishes and uneven colour. The heat remodels the pores, reducing enlarged pores, as well as targeting and destroying acne membranes, which reduces acne and the inflammation it causes.

I mean, c'mon, this sounds like a miracle facial, right?

What does it feel like? What happened during the facial?

Right before the facial happened was the bit I was worried about. As I was securing my black goggles over my goo-clay-feeling-mask-covered face, I wondered if the 'prick-like' sensation Ruth described was going to be painful. She warned that some clients do not like the sensation but that I should communicate throughout and she will adjust and stop if necessary.

At first, it was an odd sensation. It feels (or I imagine it) like mini lightning storms on your face. I imagined the laser as a mini-Zeus, zapping his lightning bolt at my face but without the pain that would come with a lightning bolt! It does feel sort of 'prickly' but I didn't find it uncomfortable and I found I was able to relax and almost tune it out.

I think the unusual sensation in the treatment is that you're in the dark with the goggles so you have no idea what is going on at all. Ruth also explained that as the carbon was burned away it would smell like a burning smell. It smelled like spent matches or the remnants of firework smoke. Again, not something you are used to smelling around your face but you get used to it.

I don't think it was painful at all and I found the sensation more than tolerable but some people with sensitive skin or a low pain tolerance (I'd say mine might be somewhere in the middle), may find it a little too prickly.

What were my results of the first carbon laser facial treatment?

After my treatment, Ruth warned that there'd be some redness. She slathered on moisturising aloe vera gel and sent me home with a big tube of it to apply later too. But as I checked my camera phone when I was walking to my car, this part was what I was not prepared for: my skin looked really glowy and good that was not because of the aloe gel on my face--although, that did make my face shiny.

By evening, my skin felt a lot softer. The whiteheads that plagued my nose pores were gone. The acne spots I had on my face were visibly reduced. And I haven't had a breakout in these areas since.

Ruth says for best results, I should have a course of four treatments, spaced two weeks apart, so I have my next facial booked in for October.

I cannot wait for my skin problems to be a thing of the past. My experience at NU-U Laser and Aesthetics has been nothing but amazing. I think the treatments are professionally done. Ruth puts you at ease and they are all affordable or can be done on a payment plan.

I'll be sure to send in pictures after my fourth treatment!

Where is NU-U Laser and Aesthetics clinic located?

The NU-U Laser and Aesthetics clinic is located in the Town Hall in Hebden Bridge in the upper Calder Valley in West Yorkshire. To find the clinic, enter the door to the Town Hall at the Hangingroyd Lane entrance on the side of the building. We are located on the first floor.

The address is

The Town Hall,

St George's Street,

Hebden Bridge,

HX7 7BY

We meet the needs of anyone living in Hebden Bridge and the surrounding areas, such as Todmorden, Walsden, Luddenden, Luddenden Foot, Mytholmroyd, Midgley, Heptonstall, Sowerby Bridge, and so on. We are located 5 miles east of Todmorden, 7 miles northeast of Walsden, 8 miles west of Halifax, 12 miles southeast of Burnley, and 14 miles northeast of Rochdale.