By now, you've probably heard of Skin Laundry. Even if you don't live near one of the 18 locations in California, New York, Arizona, Hong Kong or London, you've probably heard of or tried one of the brand's skin-care products -- I'm partial to the Skin Laundry Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask, $10, and super gentle Skin Laundry Purifying Cleansing Cloths, $15, myself.

When Skin Laundry first opened in 2013, it was the trendy skin-rejuvenating treatment on every beauty editor's lips. Billed as "the Drybar of skincare," Skin Laundry promised to revolutionize the way we think about lasers as an expensive treatment reserved for the Hollywood set. But now that the excitement of a layman's laser treatment has died down a bit, I found myself wondering: Can a 10-minute treatment without the involvement of a dermatologist really change my skin?

With five treatments at the Skin Laundry in Santa Monica added under my account, I set out to find out. Warning: before and after pictures ahead.

Image via Skin Laundry

From the booking to the treatment itself, Skin Laundry is a breeze, logistically. Once your information is in their system, you can just book treatments online -- and usually there are same-day appointments available.

The appointment typically takes around 10 minutes. The locations I've visited in both New York and Santa Monica are ultra-chic and minimalist, like a cross between a beachy med spa waiting room and the all-marble bathrooms that dominate your Pinterest board. Before the lasering begins, you'll wipe your face clean with one of their makeup-removing wipes, which are really gentle and non-irritating.

The Skin Laundry team asks about your past medical history and requires that you sign a form acknowledging certain precautions. The pre-laser inquisition is pretty thorough. The nurse asked me a few questions about my prior use of topical retinoids before deeming the laser appropriate for my skin.

Image via Emily Woodruff

Skin Laundry is a two-part treatment. The Nd-YAG laser and IPL (short for neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet, the type of crystal used in the machine, and intense pulsed light, respectively) are both administered by either a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse or aesthetician, based on the state requirements. The YAG laser is an invisible beam of light that makes small snapping sounds as the technician guides it across your face. The YAG targets dirt, oil in the pores, residual makeup and pigmentation like melasma, those brownish-gray patches that come with spending time in the sun. In some spots, like around the corners of my nose and my hairline, the laser got what the technician called "extra clicky." The extra clicking, I was told, is indicative of areas of congestion or extra pigment. Sure enough, these are areas that are typically more prone to breakouts.

The laser works by stimulating the underlying dermal layer of skin, which kicks collagen production and elastin into gear. Essentially, by slightly damaging the skin and tricking the skin into thinking it needs to be repaired, Skin Laundry's laser signals the body to renew skin cells, according to Skin Laundry's lead Registered Nurse Elyse Shelger. The laser targets pigment, like the brown spots from sun damage, which fragments the pigment and allows the body to absorb it and metabolize it.

The pain factor is practically non-existent, though there is a faint snapping sensation and a warmth where the laser is pointed. There is also a slight burning smell, which Skin Laundry attributes to the vaporization of pore gunk.

Image via Emily Woodruff

After two passes with the YAG laser, a goopy clear gel is applied in preparation for the IPL. The gel is the same stuff they use for ultrasounds, and its purpose is to spread the light over your face so it's evenly distributed and doesn't burn your skin.

The IPL is a supremely bright flash of light that is repeated across every section of the face. Skin Laundry provides goggles for both procedures so eyes are protected. There's a slight warmth to the IPL, but no pain.

If IPL sounds familiar, that's because it's the same technology used in laser hair removal. In fact, one of the technicians told me that when male clients come in, they have to warn them that there is a chance of permanent hair loss. After one of the technicians allowed me to examine the light, I noticed it looked like a larger, more industrial version of my at-home laser hair removal device. I didn't notice any difference in hair growth after five treatments, but unintentional hair removal is not a side effect I'd be mad about.

Image via Skin Laundry

The same settings are used on the IPL and YAG laser for every patient, regardless of skin type. It's a setting so low that it won't harm skin or cause the kind of redness and peeling associated with lasers that might require downtime. When I went to the location in Santa Monica, the assistant, who had very dark skin, told me that she actually is only approved for the first treatment with the YAG laser, because the IPL causes hypopigmentation -- white spots -- on skin as dark as hers.

Of course, a low setting begs the question: Is it so low that it's not doing anything? Skin Laundry's lead R.N. told me that Skin Laundry has not conducted any studies or clinical trials, but relies on the proven technology of the two devices they (and many other dermatologists) use and anecdotal evidence as proof that Skin Laundry does make a difference. It's worth saying that every employee I came across had glowing skin. Not just good makeup application, either. Their skin looked like the kind you get after waking up at dawn for daily yoga and regularly dry brushing for proper lymph node drainage.

Image via Skin Laundry