Last updated: May 25, 2026

Aerolase for Ingrown Hair and Folliculitis in Toronto — Beard Bumps, PFB, and Razor Burn

By Basil Russo, Founder — Bar Beauty Medical, 46 Fort York Blvd, CityPlace Toronto Medically reviewed by Dr. John David Henneberry-Fudge MD FRCPC (CPSO #95972), Medical Director

I bought the Aerolase NeoElite for Bar Beauty in 2024 after spending nine months talking to dermatologists, RN injectors, and the engineers who designed the platform. This page is about why traditional laser hair removal cannot reach the beard line and how Aerolase handles pseudofolliculitis barbae. The device is misunderstood in Toronto — patients walk into clinics asking for “the Aerolase” the way they used to ask for “the Fraxel,” as if it were a single treatment. It isn’t. The NeoElite is a 1064 nanometre Nd:YAG laser running 650-microsecond pulses, and the conditions it handles best for Toronto patients are the ones other lasers struggle with.

Book Your Consult Online → Call 416-923-1200

What is Aerolase NeoElite and how is it different from IPL or other lasers?

The NeoElite is a tabletop Nd:YAG platform manufactured by Aerolase Corporation. It emits 1064 nm light in the near-infrared, through a handpiece firing at 650-microsecond pulse durations. Three details matter.

1064 nm is the safest wavelength for melanin-rich skin. Melanin absorption drops sharply as you move from visible-light wavelengths — where IPL operates around 500-600 nm — into the near-infrared. At 1064 nm, melanin still absorbs enough energy to treat pigment but not enough to trigger the runaway thermal damage that causes post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in Fitzpatrick IV-VI skin.

The 650-microsecond pulse is the patent. Most Nd:YAG lasers in Toronto are long-pulse (milliseconds) or Q-switched / Pico (nanoseconds and picoseconds). Aerolase sits in a gap. The energy delivers fast enough to bypass conductive heating of surrounding tissue, so the skin doesn’t pre-warm and you don’t need a contact-cooling tip. Yet it’s slow enough to selectively target chromophores rather than fragmenting them. Translation: less heat in the epidermis, no topical numbing in most cases, and a treatment that moves across darker phototypes without protocol modification.

No contact cooling means it works on hair-bearing and oily areas. Beard line, scalp, scrotum, areola, intra-nasal vascular lesions — areas where a sapphire-tip Nd:YAG cannot get flush contact — are accessible because there’s no chilled crystal to land flat against the dermis.

What conditions does Aerolase treat best in our Toronto clinic?

The headline list at Bar Beauty:

• Pseudofolliculitis barbae (pfb) — Aerolase is our first-line laser for this concern.
• Bikini-line ingrown hairs — Aerolase is our first-line laser for this concern.
• Scalp folliculitis — Aerolase is our first-line laser for this concern.
• Perifollicular pigment — Aerolase is our first-line laser for this concern.
• Keratosis pilaris — Aerolase is our first-line laser for this concern.

We also use Aerolase for vascular lesions (cherry angiomas, broken capillaries, spider veins under 2 mm), skin tags and benign lesion spot-treatment, fine lines via collagen remodelling, stretch marks (red better than white), and off-label onychomycosis. The full protocol library — what we’ll dial in for your specific concern — is decided at consult by Julia, our Glow Specialist, working under Dr. Henneberry-Fudge’s standing orders.

Book Your Consult Online → Call 416-923-1200

How does the Aerolase treatment feel and what should I expect at my first visit?

You arrive ten minutes early to fill out intake on the Jane App tablet at reception. Julia takes you back, cleanses, photographs your concern, dials in the protocol, and starts. Most patients describe the sensation as a quick warm snap — comparable to a rubber band, not painful enough to require topical numbing in 90% of cases. A full face runs 15-25 minutes. You leave with mild warmth and pinkness, both of which resolve in 1-4 hours. Makeup is fine the next morning.

That’s it. No downtime. No peeling. No social schedule to plan around.

Who is Aerolase not appropriate for?

The honest list:

• Patients on isotretinoin (Accutane) within the past 6 months — wait
• Pregnancy or active breastfeeding — wait
• Active herpes outbreak on the treatment area — clear it first
• Tan you got in the last two weeks — wait for your baseline to return
• Open lesions, wound healing in progress, or recent cosmetic surgery — clearance from your surgeon first
• Photosensitising medications without a physician sign-off

If any of the above apply, we tell you at consult. We don’t book you in and find out at intake.

How much does Aerolase cost at Bar Beauty?

Live pricing as of today, synced with our Jane App booking system and /price-list/.

Series of 3 and series of 6 are packaged at a discount and posted on the price list page.

View Full Price List → Meet Dr. Henneberry-Fudge →

How many Aerolase sessions will I need to see real results?

6-8 sessions for clearance, maintenance every 6-12 months. The number varies by condition. Active acne tends to show clearance by session 3-4 with consolidation through session 6. Melasma is the longest game — 6-10 sessions plus daily SPF and topical skincare or you waste the laser work. Rosacea responds in 4-6. Pigmented lesions and vascular spots often clear in 2-3.

What should I avoid before and after my Aerolase appointment?

Before: – No active tan – No retinoids for 5 days – No exfoliating acids for 3 days – No sun exposure on the treatment area for two weeks – Hydrate well

After: – SPF 50 daily, no exception, for the rest of your life if you want pigment results to hold – No retinoids for 3 days – No saunas, hot yoga, or heavy workouts for 24 hours – No active exfoliation for 5 days – Use the post-treatment moisturiser Julia recommends

How does Aerolase compare to other laser and energy treatments?

Aerolase is not the best laser for every concern. It is, however, the only laser at our clinic safe across all six Fitzpatrick types with the same protocol.

Who actually performs the treatment at Bar Beauty?

Julia, our Glow Specialist, runs the majority of Aerolase appointments. Jasmine, our RN injector, handles vascular and pigment spot-treatments at consult. All laser protocols at Bar Beauty operate under Dr. Henneberry-Fudge’s standing orders. Shahram, our Master Injector, focuses on injectables — Botox, filler, biostimulators — and refers laser work to Julia.

Meet The Team → Book Online →

Can I combine Aerolase with Botox, filler, or Morpheus 8 at the same visit?

Yes. The most common Bar Beauty combination protocol:

1. Same-day Aerolase NeoSkin + Botox. Aerolase first, Botox after the redness settles 30-60 minutes later. No problem.
2. Aerolase NeoSkin followed by Morpheus 8 four weeks apart. Both can be in the same monthly programme.
3. Aerolase + PRF microneedling 7 days apart. PRF first, Aerolase 7-10 days later.

What we won’t do at the same visit: Aerolase plus a fresh chemical peel (epidermis is doing two jobs at once), Aerolase plus active filler swelling, or Aerolase on a patient who got injectable filler within 7 days in the same anatomical area.

What does the literature actually say about 1064 nm Nd:YAG for melanin-rich skin?

The peer-reviewed support for 1064 nm Nd:YAG in skin of colour is consistent. Battle and Soden (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology), Alexis et al. (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology), and several Aerolase-specific clinical reports document low PIH risk and effective pigment clearance across Fitzpatrick IV-VI when the wavelength and pulse duration are chosen correctly. Dr. Henneberry-Fudge keeps the protocol library current and we update our parameters when new data warrants.

How do I book an Aerolase consultation?

Book online on Jane — consults are free. Or call 416-923-1200. We’re at 46 Fort York Blvd, CityPlace Toronto, two blocks south of King Street, with free parking.

FAQ — Patient Questions We Hear Most Often

Is Aerolase actually safe for my skin tone if I’m Fitzpatrick V or VI?

Yes — and this is the headline. 1064 nm Nd:YAG at 650-microsecond pulse duration is the only laser wavelength documented as safe across all six Fitzpatrick phototypes with one protocol. Our melanin-rich patients see less PIH risk with Aerolase than with IPL or longer-pulse lasers.

Will Aerolase hurt?

Most patients describe it as a warm snap. Not zero sensation, but not painful enough to require topical numbing for 90% of treatments. Sensitive areas like the upper lip and bikini occasionally benefit from a brief cooling compress.

How quickly will I see results from Aerolase?

Vascular and pigment spot-treatments often show clearance in 1-2 weeks. Acne clearance progresses across sessions 3-6. Melasma is the slowest and demands strict daily SPF; results emerge over months.

Can I wear makeup after Aerolase?

Same day, no. The next morning, yes.

Do I need to do anything special to maintain results?

Daily mineral SPF 50, no tanning, gentle skincare for the first week, and a maintenance Aerolase every 3-6 months for chronic conditions like rosacea and melasma.

Can I get Aerolase if I’m pregnant?

We wait. Pregnancy is an absolute contraindication at Bar Beauty for elective laser. Postpartum and post-breastfeeding, we’ll re-consult.

How is Aerolase different from BBL or IPL?

Different wavelength, different pulse duration, different safety profile. BBL and IPL use broad-spectrum visible light and work best on Fitzpatrick I-III. Aerolase’s single 1064 nm wavelength is safer for darker skin and reaches deeper into the dermis.

Is Aerolase good for acne scars or just active acne?

Both. The NeoClear protocol has separate parameters for active acne and acne scar revision. Most acne patients at Bar Beauty book the active programme first and step into scar revision after the active flares are controlled.

Can Aerolase tighten my skin?

Modestly. The dermal heating stimulates a collagen response that produces gradual firming over 3-6 months. For genuine skin laxity at the jawline or sub-mental area, Morpheus 8 is a stronger choice.

Does Aerolase work on stretch marks?

Red stretch marks (striae rubra) respond better than white (striae alba). Plan on 3-6 sessions either way.

Will my insurance cover Aerolase?

No. Aerolase at Bar Beauty is cosmetic and not covered by OHIP or private insurance. The exception is documented onychomycosis treatment, which some private insurers will partially reimburse with a physician note.

Can I get Aerolase if I have rosacea and active flushing?

Yes — rosacea is one of the conditions Aerolase is best at. We’ll often dial down fluence on a first session to see how your skin responds, then step up as we map your tolerance.

What does the Aerolase recovery actually feel like, hour by hour?

Honest timeline for a NeoSkin Face appointment.

Hour 0 (you leave the clinic): Skin is warm and pink. Think mild sunburn intensity. Some patients describe a faint tingling that fades within 30-45 minutes.

Hour 1-4: Pinkness peels back to a soft flush. You can wear a mineral SPF and walk out the door without anyone asking what you’ve done.

Hour 4-24: Skin feels tight in a good way — like it’s working. Some patients see micro-darkening of pigmented spots over the next 48 hours. That’s the lesion responding. Do not pick.

Day 2-5: The skin settles. Pigmented spots may flake off naturally. Vessels look less prominent. Active acne shows reduced inflammation.

Day 7-14: The skin texture and tone shift becomes obvious to you and visible in photos. Most patients book the next session at this point.

How does Aerolase fit into a longer-term skin programme at Bar Beauty?

We don’t sell single appointments. The patients with the best long-term skin are on a 12-month programme that combines Aerolase with skincare and other clinic services. A typical Bar Beauty Aerolase patient’s year looks like:

• Months 1-3: NeoSkin or NeoClear series (3-6 sessions, every 2-3 weeks)
• Month 4: First maintenance session, photographs, plan reassessment
• Month 7: Combination visit — Aerolase plus Botox or filler if indicated
• Month 10: Second maintenance with Morpheus 8 added for skin tightening
• Daily: Mineral SPF 50, medical-grade skincare from our retail wall, no tanning, no IPL elsewhere
• Quarterly: Photo review with Julia or Jasmine to track progress

This is the difference between using Aerolase as an emergency facial and using it as a real skin practice. The first approach gives you a brief glow. The second changes your baseline.

What does the research actually say about 1064 nm Nd:YAG safety?

The peer-reviewed support for 1064 nm Nd:YAG in skin of colour is consistent. Battle and Soden (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology), Alexis et al. (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology), and several Aerolase-specific clinical reports document low post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation risk and effective pigment clearance across Fitzpatrick IV-VI when the wavelength and pulse duration are chosen correctly.

Dr. Henneberry-Fudge keeps the protocol library current. When new clinical data emerges, our parameters adjust. The protocol on your skin today is the protocol that the literature supports today — not whatever the rep handed us in 2024.

What Aerolase combination protocols do you offer at Bar Beauty?

Some of the combinations most commonly requested by our CityPlace patients:

• Pre-wedding glow: 3 NeoSkin sessions over 8 weeks plus medical-grade skincare. Final session 14 days before the event.
• Acne consolidation: 6 NeoClear sessions plus Aerolase-compatible topicals. Most patients move into Morpheus 8 scar revision in month 6 if scarring is present.
• Melasma maintenance: Initial 6-10 session series, then quarterly maintenance with strict daily SPF.
• Rosacea control: 4-6 session induction, then every 3-4 months maintenance plus prescription topicals from your dermatologist if you have one.
• Beard line for men (PFB): 6-8 sessions every 4-6 weeks, then maintenance twice yearly.

We map your specific combination at consult.

What about Aerolase at-home or in chain spas — is it the same protocol?

No. The Aerolase NeoElite hardware is the same device, but the protocol library, the operator training, and the medical oversight are not. The device is only as good as the parameters dialled in, the diagnostic eye on the skin, and the MD on call when something doesn’t go to plan.

We’re not the cheapest Aerolase in Toronto. We’re the one with a board-certified dermatologist on the masthead, a CPSO number on every consult document, and a protocol library that’s been updated based on actual patient outcomes in our chair rather than a generic manufacturer-supplied default.

IMAGE BUDGET (32 images)

1. [Device Hero] Aerolase NeoElite tabletop unit photographed in our laser room — Alt: Aerolase NeoElite 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser Toronto
2. [Device Detail] Aerolase handpiece in operator hand at 30-degree angle — Alt: Aerolase NeoElite handpiece treatment Toronto
3. [Anatomy Diagram] Cross-section of skin showing 1064 nm depth vs IPL and pico depth — Alt: Aerolase 1064 nm depth penetration diagram
4. [Infographic] Fitzpatrick I-VI chart with safe-laser table — Alt: Fitzpatrick skin type laser safety chart
5. [Treatment In-Progress] Patient receiving NeoSkin on cheeks, eye protection in place — Alt: Aerolase NeoSkin treatment Bar Beauty Toronto
6. [Treatment In-Progress] Aerolase pass over forehead with handpiece motion blur — Alt: Aerolase forehead treatment Toronto
7. [Before/After] Melasma face split image, 6 sessions of Aerolase — Alt: Melasma before after Aerolase Toronto
8. [Before/After] Rosacea split image, 4 sessions of Aerolase — Alt: Rosacea before after Aerolase Toronto
9. [Before/After] Active acne face split image, NeoClear 6-session series — Alt: Acne before after Aerolase NeoClear Toronto
10. [Before/After] Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, Fitzpatrick V, 6 sessions — Alt: PIH Fitzpatrick V before after Aerolase Toronto
11. [Before/After] Ingrown hair beard line, men’s PFB, 6 sessions — Alt: Beard line PFB before after Aerolase Toronto
12. [Before/After] Vascular cherry angioma spot treatment, single session — Alt: Cherry angioma before after Aerolase Toronto
13. [Comparison Chart] Aerolase vs IPL vs Pico vs BBL HERO grid — Alt: Aerolase IPL Pico BBL comparison chart Toronto
14. [Comparison Chart] Aerolase vs Morpheus 8 — when to choose each — Alt: Aerolase vs Morpheus 8 chart Toronto
15. [Comparison Chart] Wavelength comparison 1064 vs 532 vs 755 vs 808 — Alt: Laser wavelength comparison chart
16. [Pricing Table] Bar Beauty Aerolase price list snapshot — Alt: Aerolase price list Bar Beauty Toronto
17. [Timeline Chart] Session-by-session melasma clearance timeline — Alt: Aerolase melasma session timeline
18. [Timeline Chart] Acne clearance over 12 weeks, NeoClear protocol — Alt: Aerolase NeoClear acne timeline 12 weeks
19. [Clinic Environment] Laser treatment room with NeoElite, ring light, eye protection — Alt: Aerolase laser treatment room Toronto
20. [Clinic Environment] Skincare wall with SkinCeuticals SPF and ZO Skin Health — Alt: Medical skincare wall Bar Beauty
21. [Team Portrait] Julia Glow Specialist with NeoElite handpiece — Alt: Julia Glow Specialist Aerolase Toronto
22. [Team Portrait] Jasmine RN injector at clinic consultation — Alt: Jasmine RN injector Bar Beauty Toronto
23. [Team Portrait] Dr. Henneberry-Fudge Medical Director — Alt: Dr. Henneberry-Fudge Medical Director Bar Beauty
24. [Infographic] Pre-Aerolase do/don’t checklist — Alt: Pre-Aerolase preparation checklist
25. [Infographic] Post-Aerolase aftercare timeline 24-48 hours — Alt: Aerolase aftercare timeline
26. [Patient Lifestyle] Patient leaving clinic with sunglasses and mineral SPF — Alt: Patient post-Aerolase walking CityPlace
27. [Product Shot] SkinCeuticals Mineral SPF and ZO Skin Health post-laser kit — Alt: Post-laser skincare kit
28. [Reviews] 5-star Google reviews 221 rating widget — Alt: Bar Beauty Medical Google reviews
29. [Brand] Bar Beauty Medical logo at clinic entry — Alt: Bar Beauty Medical brand entrance
30. [Map] Driving map from downtown Toronto to CityPlace clinic — Alt: Bar Beauty Medical CityPlace location map
31. [Anatomy Diagram] Sebaceous gland targeting at 650 microsecond pulse — Alt: Aerolase sebaceous gland mechanism diagram
32. [Anatomy Diagram] Vascular targeting of haemoglobin at 1064 nm — Alt: Aerolase vascular mechanism diagram