What It Is
Laser and energy-based treatments use focused light, radiofrequency energy, and fractional laser to address skin concerns that topical products and surface-level treatments cannot reach. These technologies work beneath the skin's surface to stimulate collagen and elastin production, tighten lax tissue, smooth fine lines, treat pigment and redness, and improve overall skin quality.
Charlotte Medical Aesthetics offers multiple energy-based platforms, each targeting different depths and concerns: Everesse monopolar radiofrequency for tightening and volume, the DEKA Tetra Pro CO2 laser (best known by its CoolPeel setting) for resurfacing, the Candela Nordlys laser and IPL system for pigment, redness, melasma, and non-ablative resurfacing, and the Motus AZ+ laser for brown and red pigment, facial redness, and broken capillaries. This range allows your provider to recommend the right technology, or combination, based on your specific goals.
All laser and energy treatments at CMA are performed by trained providers under the medical direction of Dr. Lindsay Crenshaw.
Brands and Products
Everesse Monopolar RF
A next-generation monopolar radiofrequency device that tightens and volumizes skin without needles. Everesse delivers continuous single-pulse energy with water cooling for comfort, meaning no topical numbing is required. It is the only monopolar RF device with continuous water cooling rather than gas pulsing. Results are visible immediately after the first session and continue improving over 12-16 weeks as collagen builds. Effective for the face, jawline, neck, and body areas including arms, abdomen, and thighs. Winner of the 2025 Elle Tools and Treatments Award.
CoolPeel (DEKA Tetra Pro CO2 Laser)
Our CO2 laser is the DEKA Tetra Pro, best known by its signature CoolPeel setting. CoolPeel uses proprietary H-Pulse technology to deliver a fractionally ablative resurfacing treatment without leaving residual heat in surrounding skin, so downtime is just 1-2 days compared to the 1-2 weeks of traditional CO2. The same device also offers deeper resurfacing settings for more significant texture, wrinkles, and scarring, which involve more recovery time (around 1-2 weeks). Treatment takes just minutes for a full face and stimulates ongoing collagen production for weeks afterward.
Candela Nordlys
A versatile laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) platform with multiple handpieces for treating pigment, redness, and texture. The IPL (Selective Waveband Technology) treats brown spots and pigmentation along with redness and vascular concerns. The Frax 1940 handpiece performs superficial non-ablative resurfacing and treats melasma and benign pigmented lesions. The Frax 1550 handpiece reaches deeper for non-ablative resurfacing of texture and fine lines. An Nd:YAG handpiece targets deeper vascular concerns. Together they allow tailored treatment of discoloration, redness, melasma, and skin texture.
Motus AZ+
A dual-wavelength laser platform (Alexandrite 755 nm and Nd:YAG 1064 nm) that uses Moveo technology to deliver energy gradually and comfortably. It treats brown pigment and sun spots, facial redness and broken capillaries, and stimulates collagen for overall skin revitalization. The gentle Moveo delivery makes it well tolerated and suitable across a range of skin tones.
Who It's For
Laser and energy treatments are well suited for patients who are noticing skin laxity, fine lines, texture changes, or dullness that skincare products alone are not addressing. These treatments are particularly effective for patients in their late thirties to sixties who want meaningful results without surgery.
Everesse suits patients seeking skin tightening and volume restoration without injections. CoolPeel, our DEKA Tetra Pro CO2 laser, is the right fit for improving texture, tone, sun damage, or fine lines. The Candela Nordlys platform addresses pigment, redness, sun damage, and melasma, and offers non-ablative resurfacing for texture and fine lines.
Patients with active skin infections, certain medical conditions, or implanted electronic devices in the treatment area may need to wait. Your provider will confirm candidacy during your consultation.
What to Expect
Before Your Treatment
Your provider will evaluate your skin, discuss your concerns, and recommend the appropriate technology or combination of treatments. For CoolPeel and Nordlys laser or IPL treatments, you may be asked to discontinue retinoids or certain actives beforehand and to avoid recent sun exposure or active tans. Because some oral antibiotics increase the skin's sensitivity to light, we may ask you to stop certain antibiotics before laser or IPL treatments. Everesse generally requires no pre-treatment preparation.
During Your Treatment
Treatment times vary by technology. CoolPeel takes 5-15 minutes. Everesse treatments run 30-60 minutes and feel like a warm facial massage with no numbing required. Nordlys IPL and Frax laser sessions vary by the area and concern being treated. Your provider will explain what to expect at each step.
After Your Treatment
Recovery varies by treatment. Everesse has virtually no downtime, with mild redness lasting 1-2 hours. CoolPeel produces sunburn-like redness for 1-2 days with possible mild flaking; the deeper Tetra Pro resurfacing settings involve more downtime, around 1-2 weeks. After Nordlys IPL or Frax treatments, skin may be pink for a day or two and treated pigment can darken briefly before flaking away over about a week. For all treatments, results continue to improve over weeks to months as your body produces new collagen.
Treatment Areas
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between Everesse, CoolPeel, the Nordlys, and Motus AZ+?
Each works differently. Everesse uses monopolar radiofrequency to tighten and volumize. CoolPeel, our DEKA Tetra Pro CO2 laser, resurfaces and smooths the skin's outer layers, with a deeper setting available for more significant concerns. The Candela Nordlys uses IPL and fractional (Frax) laser energy to treat pigment, redness, melasma, and texture. The Motus AZ+ targets brown and red pigment, facial redness, and broken capillaries with comfortable, gradual heating. They serve different purposes and can be combined in a comprehensive treatment plan.
How Long Do Results Last?
Everesse results last up to 12 months or more with a series of 2-3 treatments. CoolPeel results are progressive and best maintained with a series of treatments spaced about 4 weeks apart, followed by periodic maintenance. Nordlys IPL and laser results depend on the concern treated and are typically maintained with periodic sessions, especially for pigment and redness, which can recur with sun exposure.
Is There Downtime With Laser and Energy Treatments?
Downtime varies by treatment. Everesse requires no downtime. CoolPeel produces 1-2 days of mild redness similar to a sunburn, while the deeper Tetra Pro resurfacing settings involve more downtime, around 1-2 weeks. After Nordlys IPL or Frax treatments, skin may be pink for a day or two and treated pigment can darken briefly before flaking away over about a week.
Do These Treatments Hurt?
Comfort levels vary by treatment. Everesse is described by patients as a warm massage and requires no numbing. CoolPeel and the Nordlys Frax laser are well tolerated, with topical numbing available. IPL feels like a quick snap of warmth. Your provider will discuss comfort management options before any treatment.
Can Laser and Energy Treatments Replace Surgery?
These treatments are not surgical replacements, but they can deliver meaningful tightening, resurfacing, and skin-quality results for patients who are not candidates for or not interested in surgery. Many patients use energy treatments to delay the need for surgical intervention or to maintain surgical results over time. For non-surgical skin tightening, Everesse is our primary energy-based option.
Are These Treatments Safe for All Skin Types?
Everesse is safe for all skin types and tones because it does not target melanin. The Nordlys platform can be tailored to a range of skin types, though IPL and some laser settings require careful selection for darker tones, and your provider will confirm the safest approach. CoolPeel is generally safe for most skin types with appropriate settings.
How Many Sessions Are Needed?
Everesse is recommended as a series of 2-3 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart. CoolPeel is most effective as a series of treatments about 4 weeks apart. Nordlys IPL and Frax treatments are typically performed in a series, with the number depending on the concern. Your provider will create a treatment plan based on your goals and the condition of your skin.
Do You Offer Ultherapy?
We previously offered Ultherapy and have since upgraded to Everesse monopolar radiofrequency, which lifts and tightens the face, neck, and décolletage by stimulating collagen in the deeper layers, with a comfortable treatment experience and little to no downtime. If you were considering Ultherapy, Everesse is the treatment we now recommend, and we're happy to compare your options at a consultation.
What Do You Use to Treat the Concerns Aerolase Is Known For?
Aerolase is known for addressing acne, rosacea, broken capillaries, and pigmentation across all skin tones. At Charlotte Medical Aesthetics, those concerns are treated with the Motus AZ+ and Candela Nordlys, and your provider will match the right device to your skin at a consultation.