Answering Your Questions About NOUVADerm™

If you’ve been curious about NOUVADerm™ and are wondering whether it’s the right next step for your skin, you’re not alone.

At Elevate Functional Medicine, we’ve had dozens of patients ask really thoughtful questions about this powerful skin-resurfacing technology. And we’re so glad they do. Because let’s be honest — the world of lasers and “skin fixes” can feel a little overwhelming.

You deserve answers that don’t feel salesy, rushed, or filled with confusing terms. So we put together this guide to address the top 10 most common questions we hear about NOUVADerm™ — with the honesty, care, and transparency you’ve come to expect from Elevate.

Top 10 NOUVADerm™ FAQs Answered

1. What exactly is NOUVADerm™?

NOUVADerm™ is a next-generation laser treatment that helps improve the appearance of your skin by encouraging it to naturally resurface and renew. It works by gently stimulating your skin’s repair process from within — targeting issues like pigmentation, fine lines, scarring, and uneven tone — without damaging the surface.

The result? Skin that looks refreshed, radiant, and rejuvenated with minimal downtime.

2. What skin concerns can it help with?

NOUVADerm™ is versatile and effective. Here’s what it’s commonly used for:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Dark spots and pigmentation
• Sun damage
• Melasma
• Acne scars and uneven texture
• Redness and visible capillaries
• Overall skin dullness or tone irregularities

Even if you’re not battling a specific concern, many patients choose NOUVADerm™ simply to maintain glowing, youthful skin.

3. Is it safe for all skin types?

This is one of the most important questions — and the short answer is: yes, when done properly.

At Elevate, we’ve invested in advanced training for our medical-aesthetic team to ensure safe, effective treatments for a wide range of skin tones and types. However, not every spa or practice is qualified to offer NOUVADerm™, and that’s worth paying attention to.

When this device is used incorrectly, it can cause damage, including burns, scarring, or unwanted pigmentation changes. That’s why experience, training, and skin health knowledge are absolutely non-negotiable when choosing where to get your treatment.

4. Does it hurt? What does it feel like?

This is a big one — and we get it. Nobody wants to sign up for discomfort.

Most patients describe the treatment as a warm, light snapping sensation — almost like a gentle rubber band tap. It’s not entirely painless, but it’s very tolerable. And the best part? We provide you with a numbing cream and a sub-zero chiller to provide a constant stream of cold air that you control during your session. We also utilize exosomes to improve numbing, overall results, and reduce your downtime, making your NOUVADerm™ treatment even more comfortable.

5. How long does a treatment take?

You’re busy, and we love that NOUVADerm™ respects your time. Most sessions last 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the area we’re treating.

It’s efficient enough to squeeze into a lunch break, but powerful enough to deliver real, visible change.

6. What should I expect afterward? Is there downtime?

Downtime really depends on the level of treatment you receive.

For a lighter, more superficial session, you may just experience some mild redness or tightness — like a slight sunburn — and many patients feel totally fine returning to work or errands the same day.

But if you opt for a more advanced treatment, you’ll likely want to take the rest of the day to rest and recover at home. That’s because the deeper treatments can trigger something called MENDS (microscopic epidermal necrotic debris) — which sounds intense, but it’s simply the body’s way of gently releasing damaged skin cells. These small, dark specks will rise to the surface and flake off gradually over several days, revealing fresher, healthier skin underneath.

We’ll always let you know exactly what to expect based on the strength of your treatment and help you plan accordingly — whether that’s a weekend refresh or a deeper skin reset.

7. How many treatments will I need?

This depends on your skin goals and where you’re starting from.

Some people are thrilled with their results after just one session. Others choose to do a series of 3-4 treatments spaced out over several weeks for deeper or more long-standing concerns.

During your consultation at Elevate, we’ll help build a personalized plan just for you — one that balances your time, budget, and desired outcomes.

8. Are there risks or side effects I should know about?

Like any device-based treatment, there are risks, but they are extremely rare when you’re in the right hands.

The most common side effects are mild and temporary: redness, slight swelling, or sensitivity for 1-2 days.

That said, when NOUVADerm™ is used by someone without proper training or skin knowledge, it can lead to more serious complications like burns, hyperpigmentation, or scarring. And that’s why we can’t emphasize this enough: where you go matters.

At Elevate, our providers are medically trained, safety-certified, and deeply experienced in functional aesthetics. We don’t take shortcuts, and we never treat your skin like a one-size-fits-all canvas.

9. Can I combine NOUVADerm™ with other treatments?

Absolutely! In fact, pairing NOUVADerm™ with other skin treatments (like facials, microneedling, or medical-grade skincare) can enhance your results even more.

However, this depends on your skin’s sensitivity, your goals, and the timing. We’ll never overdo it or recommend unnecessary combos. Your skin tells us what it needs — we just listen and support it.

10. What are the pre- and post-care procedures for this type of skin treatment?

Great question — and such an important part of seeing the best results from your NOUVADerm™ experience.

Before your treatment:

• Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds for at least 1–2 weeks prior. We want your skin calm and protected heading into your session.
• Pause harsh skincare products, like retinoids or exfoliants, about 3–5 days before treatment (we’ll let you know exactly what to skip).
• Stay hydrated and arrive with clean skin — no makeup or lotions on the day of your appointment.

We may do a quick skin prep depending on your sensitivity level.

After your treatment:

• You might feel slightly warm or pink, like a mild sunburn — totally normal and temporary.
• Use gentle, hydrating products (we’ll recommend our favorites) and skip makeup for 24 hours to let your skin breathe.
• Avoid intense workouts, hot showers, or saunas for 24–48 hours.
• Most importantly? Wear sunscreen every day, even when it’s cloudy. Your fresh skin needs protection!

Our Elevate team will give you a customized aftercare plan, walk you through it step-by-step, and stay in touch to make sure your skin is healing beautifully.

It’s More Than a Machine — It’s the Hands That Use It

Technology like NOUVADerm™ is powerful — but only when operated by people who understand skin, safety, and personalized care.

At Elevate, we’ve spent years earning our patients’ trust because we listen first, treat second. Every treatment plan is thoughtfully created by our team of medical aestheticians who’ve received advanced training in laser therapies like NOUVADerm™.

We don’t follow trends. We follow your skin’s truth — and that’s where the real transformation happens.

Interested in seeing what NOUVADerm™ can do for your skin?

We’d love to talk with you, answer your questions, and help you decide if this is the right next step on your wellness and skincare journey. Book your consultation online or call us today. Because when your skin feels like you again, everything else just clicks.