In a never-ending quest to retain a youthful glow, stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Sofia Vergara hold fast to their steady diet of lasers. However, like any cosmetic procedure, stepping in front of a laser without the right information may be too intimidating for some.

Thanks to New York-based dermatologist, Dr. Dendy Engelman, she reassures us that laser doesn’t have to be all that scary. In fact, it can be an effective, low-lift way to look young and treat many concerns. Here, she breaks down the basics of laser, from when to use Fraxel to look like Jennifer Lopez, to the basics of hair removal and how to treat stretch marks.