Nordlys® in Lafayette, LA
Not every skin concern exists at the same depth, which is why treating pigmentation, redness, acne scars, and uneven texture with one universal setting does not always make sense. At Elle Medical & Aesthetics, Nordlys® in Lafayette, LA gives Crystal Fontenot, ANP-BC, access to multiple light and laser technologies within one advanced platform, allowing treatment to be selected according to what is actually contributing to the changes in your skin.
The Candela Nordlys® system combines specialized IPL technology with non-ablative fractional resurfacing capabilities. At Elle, this allows Crystal to use Nordlys® for treatments ranging from IPL Photofacials for redness and brown pigmentation to Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing for acne scars, wrinkles, sun damage, and textural irregularities. Rather than choosing a device first and trying to fit every concern to it, Crystal evaluates the skin and selects the technology and treatment depth that make sense for the patient.
What Is Nordlys®?
Nordlys® is an advanced skin treatment platform from Candela that allows providers to address multiple components of skin quality using different technologies and applicators. At Elle Medical & Aesthetics, the system is used for IPL Photofacials as well as non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing.
This versatility matters because redness, brown pigmentation, acne scarring, wrinkles, and rough texture develop for different reasons and at different levels within the skin. Nordlys® gives Crystal the ability to choose a targeted treatment rather than treating every skin concern with the same type of energy.
For patients who are not sure which technology they need, Laser Skin Rejuvenation can also serve as a starting point for understanding the different ways Elle approaches tone, texture, pigmentation, redness, and signs of aging.
How Does Nordlys® Work?
Nordlys® does not rely on a single type of treatment. Instead, the platform includes technologies designed to address different structures within the skin.
For visible redness and brown pigmentation, Elle uses Nordlys® with Selective Waveband Technology, or SWT®, for IPL treatment. For concerns involving texture, scarring, wrinkles, and deeper skin remodeling, Crystal can use the platform’s 1550 nm and 1940 nm fractional laser wavelengths.
This means two patients treated with the same Nordlys® platform may have very different experiences because their concerns require different technologies, depths, and settings.
Nordlys® IPL With Selective Waveband Technology
Traditional IPL uses broad-spectrum pulses of light to target chromophores such as melanin in brown pigmentation and hemoglobin in visible vessels. Nordlys® uses Selective Waveband Technology to further refine the light being delivered.
The system’s dual filters remove wavelengths at both ends of the spectrum that are not needed for the intended treatment. Pulses are also delivered in less than a millisecond. According to Elle’s treatment protocol, this allows more targeted energy delivery with less unnecessary heat reaching the surrounding skin compared with conventional broadband IPL.
At Elle Medical & Aesthetics, this technology is used for the dedicated IPL Photofacial treatment. Depending on the patient’s concerns, Crystal may use different applicators for redness and pigmentation during the same appointment.
Nordlys® Fractional Laser Technology
Nordlys® also gives Elle access to two non-ablative fractional laser wavelengths, 1550 nm and 1940 nm. Fractional resurfacing works by creating thousands of microscopic columns of controlled thermal treatment while leaving healthy skin between those columns intact.
The untreated skin surrounding each microscopic treatment zone helps support healing, while the controlled thermal response stimulates collagen remodeling beneath the surface. Because only a fraction of the skin is treated at one time, recovery is typically measured in days rather than the extended recovery associated with more aggressive full-field resurfacing.
Patients interested specifically in improving scars, texture, wrinkles, or sun-related surface changes can learn more on Elle’s Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing page.
1550 nm Fractional Laser
The 1550 nm wavelength reaches more deeply into the skin and is selected when the treatment goal involves structural skin quality. At Elle, Crystal may use this wavelength for concerns such as acne scarring, wrinkles, and deeper textural irregularities.
Because these concerns involve changes below the most superficial layer of the skin, the deeper wavelength allows treatment to focus on remodeling at the level where the problem is occurring.
1940 nm Fractional Laser
The 1940 nm wavelength works closer to the skin’s surface. It is used for epidermal resurfacing and may be selected when brown pigmentation, sun damage, or rough surface texture is the primary concern.
For some appropriate candidates, Crystal may use both the 1550 nm and 1940 nm wavelengths within the same session or treatment plan. This gives her the ability to address superficial and deeper components of skin aging without assuming that one wavelength should do everything.
What Can Nordlys® Treat?
Because Nordlys® incorporates multiple technologies, it can be used to address several different categories of skin concerns. Which treatment is appropriate depends on whether the concern involves pigment, vessels, texture, scarring, or a combination of factors.
Depending on your skin and treatment plan, Nordlys® may be used for:
- Brown pigmentation
- Sun-related discoloration
- Uneven skin tone
- Diffuse facial redness
- Visible vascular concerns
- Blotchy red and brown discoloration
- Acne scars
- Uneven skin texture
- Rough surface texture
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Signs of photoaging
- Overall skin-quality concerns
Not every concern on this list should be treated with the same Nordlys® applicator or wavelength. Crystal determines which part of the platform, if any, is appropriate after evaluating your skin.
Nordlys® for Brown Spots and Sun Damage
Sun exposure can contribute to brown spots, uneven pigmentation, and a complexion that appears mottled or less uniform over time. When pigmentation is the main concern, Nordlys® IPL can direct light toward melanin within the targeted discoloration.
Following treatment, brown spots may temporarily darken before gradually flaking away as the skin responds. Elle’s client protocol notes that this process commonly begins within the first one to three days and may continue for approximately one week.
For patients with widespread brown discoloration along with redness, an IPL Photofacial may be especially useful because Crystal can evaluate and address multiple components of uneven tone within the same overall treatment strategy.
Nordlys® for Redness and Visible Vessels
Persistent facial redness and visible vessels involve a different chromophore than brown pigmentation. IPL energy can be absorbed by hemoglobin within selected vascular concerns, allowing visible redness and vessels to be treated without approaching them as a pigmentation problem.
One advantage of the Nordlys® system at Elle is that Crystal can select different applicators according to whether redness, brown pigment, or both are present. She may use multiple applicators during the same treatment when appropriate rather than requiring a patient to choose which component of uneven tone should be addressed first.
Nordlys® for Acne Scars and Uneven Texture
Pigment-correcting treatment alone cannot address every acne scar because many acne scars involve structural changes within the dermis. This is where Nordlys® fractional resurfacing plays a different role from IPL.
The deeper 1550 nm fractional wavelength can create controlled thermal columns within the skin to support collagen remodeling and improve the appearance of acne scars and textural irregularities over time. Scar type still matters, and Crystal evaluates whether the scar pattern is appropriate for fractional laser treatment before recommending a series.
Elle also offers other texture-focused options, including Microneedling and RF-based treatments. The goal is not to assume that every scar needs the same technology, but to identify which treatment reaches the level of the problem most appropriately.
Nordlys® for Fine Lines and Skin Quality
Fine lines and changes in overall skin quality often develop alongside sun damage and textural irregularities. Nordlys® fractional resurfacing can address selected wrinkles and structural texture concerns while stimulating a gradual remodeling response within the treated skin.
Because the 1550 nm and 1940 nm wavelengths work at different depths, Crystal can determine whether deeper structural remodeling, more superficial resurfacing, or a combination is appropriate.
For patients whose concerns also involve laxity or loss of firmness, Nordlys® may be only one part of the treatment plan. Elle also offers RF Microneedling, Sublime™ Skin Tightening, and other collagen-support treatments that target different aspects of skin aging.
What Is the Difference Between Nordlys® IPL and Fractional Resurfacing?
The biggest difference is what each treatment is designed to target.
Nordlys® IPL uses pulses of filtered light to address selected red and brown concerns within the skin. It is generally used when uneven pigmentation, visible redness, or a combination of the two is driving the patient’s concern.
Nordlys® fractional resurfacing uses laser energy to create microscopic treatment zones at controlled depths. It is more directly focused on skin texture, acne scars, wrinkles, sun-related surface changes, and collagen remodeling.
Some patients need only one of these approaches. Others have a combination of pigment, redness, and texture and may benefit from strategically combining technologies. Crystal may use IPL and one or both fractional wavelengths during the same session for appropriate candidates.
Benefits of Nordlys® Skin Treatments
Nordlys® gives Crystal several ways to address skin concerns within a single technology platform rather than relying on one universal treatment.
Potential advantages include:
- Multiple skin-treatment technologies on one platform
- Specialized SWT® IPL for selected pigment and vascular concerns
- 1550 nm fractional resurfacing for deeper texture and scarring
- 1940 nm fractional resurfacing for epidermal pigment and surface texture
- Ability to address both red and brown concerns during selected IPL sessions
- Ability to combine fractional wavelengths for appropriate candidates
- Customizable treatment depth according to the concern
- Non-ablative fractional resurfacing options
- Treatment planning that can address both tone and texture
- Different treatment pathways based on skin type and individual goals
The benefits, recovery, and treatment timeline vary substantially depending on which Nordlys® technology is used.
Who Is a Candidate for Nordlys®?
Because Nordlys® includes more than one technology, candidacy depends on the specific treatment being considered. A patient appropriate for fractional resurfacing is not automatically an appropriate candidate for IPL, and vice versa.
Crystal reviews your full health history and evaluates your skin before treatment. Depending on the technology, this may include reviewing recent sun exposure, self-tanner use, photosensitizing medications, melasma, active cold sores, pregnancy, healing history, keloid tendency, isotretinoin use, skin type, and the primary concern being treated.
Patient selection is especially important for IPL and fractional resurfacing because pigmentation risk varies with skin tone and recent sun exposure. Elle’s approach is to postpone or change treatment when needed rather than proceed simply because an appointment has already been scheduled. The client specifically notes that IPL should not be described as universally safe for every skin type.
What to Expect During a Nordlys® Treatment
Your Nordlys® appointment depends on which technology Crystal recommends.
For an IPL Photofacial, eye protection is worn and a layer of gel is applied to the treatment area. Crystal treats the skin in sections and may combine different applicators when appropriate. Most patients do not require numbing, and the sensation is typically described as a brief warm snap. A full-face IPL treatment takes approximately 20 minutes according to Elle’s protocol.
Fractional resurfacing follows a different process. Topical numbing is typically applied for approximately 30 to 45 minutes before the skin is cleansed and treated in passes. Cool air is delivered continuously through the handpiece for comfort, and a full-face fractional treatment takes approximately 30 minutes depending on the wavelength and settings.
What Is Recovery Like After Nordlys®?
Recovery varies significantly depending on whether you receive IPL or fractional resurfacing.
After IPL, patients may experience flushing and mild warmth for several hours. Brown spots can temporarily darken over the following one to three days before flaking away over approximately a week, while treated vessels may gradually fade over one to two weeks. Makeup may generally be applied immediately after treatment according to Elle’s protocol.
Fractional laser resurfacing involves more visible recovery. Redness and a sunburn-like sensation may last approximately three to five days, with swelling typically most noticeable during the first one to two days. The skin can feel rough or sandpapery as it turns over and may slough for approximately two to three days.
Crystal provides treatment-specific aftercare based on which Nordlys® technology is used.
How Many Nordlys® Treatments Will I Need?
There is no single Nordlys® treatment series because IPL and fractional resurfacing address different concerns.
Many IPL patients begin with a series and then use individual maintenance treatments throughout the year when appropriate. The exact number depends on the amount and type of pigment or vascular change being treated and how the skin responds.
Fractional resurfacing treatment schedules depend on whether the goal is superficial pigment and texture, deeper acne scarring, wrinkles, or structural skin quality. Crystal determines the number and spacing of sessions after evaluating the skin rather than automatically prescribing the same package to every patient.
Nordlys® vs. GentleMax Pro Plus®
Both are Candela platforms available at Elle Medical & Aesthetics, but they are not interchangeable.
GentleMax Pro Plus® combines 755 nm Alexandrite and 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser wavelengths and is used at Elle for treatments such as laser hair removal, selected pigmentation, redness, and vascular concerns.
Nordlys® offers a different set of capabilities, including SWT® IPL for diffuse red and brown concerns and 1550 nm and 1940 nm non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing for texture, scarring, wrinkles, pigmentation, and skin renewal.
Having access to multiple platforms allows Crystal to choose the technology based on the concern rather than recommending the only device available.
Why Choose Elle Medical & Aesthetics for Nordlys® in Lafayette, LA?
- Technology matters, but having several applicators and wavelengths is only useful when the person operating them understands when each one should be used. At Elle Medical & Aesthetics, Crystal Fontenot, ANP-BC evaluates the patient’s entire skin picture before deciding whether Nordlys® IPL, fractional resurfacing, another laser platform, or a different treatment makes the most sense.
- For IPL, she considers skin type, recent sun exposure, medications, melasma risk, and whether red or brown discoloration is driving the concern. For fractional resurfacing, she also reviews healing history, keloid tendency, isotretinoin use, pigmentation risk, and the depth of the concern. This allows treatment selection to be based on the patient’s skin rather than on a standard protocol.
- Elle’s ability to use Nordlys®, GentleMax Pro Plus®, and multiple radiofrequency technologies also means Crystal is not limited to recommending one device for every problem. Pigmentation, vascular changes, texture, scars, and laxity can be approached differently when the skin calls for it.
Nordlys® Frequently Asked Questions
What does Nordlys® treat?
Nordlys® can be used for multiple skin concerns because the platform includes both IPL and fractional laser technologies. At Elle Medical & Aesthetics, it may be used to address brown pigmentation, diffuse redness, selected visible vessels, acne scarring, wrinkles, sun damage, uneven texture, and other skin-quality concerns. The specific technology used depends on what is causing the concern and the depth at which it needs to be treated.
Is Nordlys® the same as IPL?
Nordlys® is a platform that includes IPL technology, but IPL is only one of its capabilities. Elle uses Nordlys® with Selective Waveband Technology for IPL Photofacials, while the platform's 1550 nm and 1940 nm lasers are used for fractional skin resurfacing. This allows Nordlys® to address both tone-related and texture-related concerns through different treatment technologies.
What is Selective Waveband Technology?
Selective Waveband Technology, or SWT®, is the IPL technology used with Nordlys®. Dual filters remove wavelengths at both ends of the spectrum that are not needed for the treatment, allowing light energy to be directed more selectively toward targeted red and brown concerns. Elle's client materials specifically distinguish this technology from standard broadband IPL.
What is the difference between the Nordlys® 1550 nm and 1940 nm lasers?
The 1550 nm wavelength penetrates more deeply and is used for concerns such as acne scarring, wrinkles, textural irregularities, and structural skin quality. The 1940 nm wavelength works more superficially and is used for epidermal resurfacing, brown pigmentation, sun-related changes, and rough surface texture. Crystal may use one or both wavelengths depending on the patient's needs.
Can Nordlys® IPL and fractional resurfacing be combined?
They may be combined for selected patients. Crystal can sometimes use IPL along with the 1550 nm wavelength, 1940 nm wavelength, or both during the same session when a patient's skin concerns would benefit from treating multiple components. Combination treatment is not automatically recommended. Skin type, pigmentation risk, treatment intensity, and healing history all influence whether it is appropriate.
Is Nordlys® safe for all skin types?
Nordlys® treatment must be selected according to the patient's skin type and the technology being used. IPL in particular requires careful patient selection, and the client specifically advises against describing IPL as safe for all skin types. Fractional resurfacing can also carry a risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones. Crystal discusses this risk, adjusts treatment when appropriate, and may recommend an alternative technology when that provides a better option.
How much does Nordlys® cost in Lafayette, LA?
Nordlys® pricing depends on which treatment is performed, the treatment area, the concerns being addressed, and the number of sessions recommended. An IPL Photofacial and fractional laser resurfacing involve different technologies and treatment plans, so Nordlys® does not have one universal treatment price. During your consultation, the Elle Medical & Aesthetics team will review the recommended treatment plan and associated pricing before you move forward.
Find the Right Nordlys® Treatment for Your Skin
If your skin concerns involve pigmentation, redness, acne scars, uneven texture, sun damage, or a combination of these changes, Nordlys® gives Elle Medical & Aesthetics several ways to approach treatment within one platform. The goal is not simply to put every patient through the same device. It is to determine which technology and treatment depth are most appropriate for your skin.
Visit Elle Medical & Aesthetics at 626 Verot School Rd, Suite B, Lafayette, LA 70508, or call (337) 651-9120 to learn more about Nordlys® treatments in Lafayette. You can also contact our team online to schedule your consultation and find out whether IPL Photofacial, fractional laser resurfacing, or another treatment is right for you.