What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light (laser) to remove unwanted hair. During laser hair removal, a laser emits a light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. The light energy is converted to heat, which damages the tube-shaped sacs within the skin (hair follicles) that produce hairs. This damage inhibits or delays future hair growth. Multiple laser hair removal treatments are needed for initial hair removal, and maintenance treatments might be needed as well. With our state of the art Sciton laser, hair removal can be successfully treated on all skin types.
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal?
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Helps prevent ingrown hairs such as folliculitis.
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Saves your skin from irritation of shaving and/or waxing.
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Saves time and money from shaving and waxing.
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Helps improve confidence that comes with the removal of embarrassing hair in unwanted areas.
What are the risks of Laser Hair Removal?
Risks of side effects vary with skin type, hair color, treatment plan and adherence to pre-treatment and post-treatment care. The most common side effects of laser hair removal include:
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Skin irritation. Temporary discomfort, redness and swelling are possible after laser hair removal. Any signs and symptoms typically disappear within several hours.
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Pigment changes. Laser hair removal might darken or lighten the affected skin. These changes might be temporary or permanent. Skin lightening primarily affects those who don't avoid sun exposure before or after treatment and those who have darker skin.
Rarely, laser hair removal can cause blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include graying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, particularly on darker skin.
How do I prepare for Laser Hair Removal?
The following instructions must be followed before Laser Hair Removal treatment:
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Stay out of the sun. Avoid sun exposure before and after treatment. Whenever you go out, apply a broad-spectrum, SPF30 sunscreen.
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Sunless tanning creams. Avoid any sunless skin creams that darken your skin.
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Avoid other hair removal methods. Plucking, waxing and electrolysis can disturb the hair follicle and should be avoided at least four weeks before treatment.
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Shaving treatment area. Trimming and shaving is recommended the day before laser treatment. It removes hair above the skin that can result in surface skin damage from burnt hairs, but it leaves the hair shaft intact below the surface.
What to expect?
Laser hair removal usually requires six treatments although you should see 30% less hair growth after each treatment. The interval between treatments will vary depending on the location. On areas where hair grows quickly, such as the upper lip, the treatment will be treated every 4 weeks. On areas of slow hair growth, such as the back, the treatment will be every 12 to 16 weeks.
For each treatment you'll wear special goggles to protect your eyes from the laser beam. An assistant might shave the site again if necessary.
During The Procedure
Our Licensed provider will press a hand-held laser instrument to your skin. A cooling device on the tip of the instrument and cool gel will be used to protect your skin and lessen the risk of side effects.You might feel discomfort, such as a warm pinprick from the laser, and you'll likely feel a sensation of cold from the cooling device or gel.
Treating a small area, such as the upper lip, usually takes only a few minutes. Treating a larger area, such as the back, might take more than an hour.
After The Procedure
You might notice redness and swelling for the first few hours after laser hair removal.
To reduce any discomfort, apply ice to the treated area. After laser hair removal and between scheduled treatments, avoid sunlight and don't use a tanning bed for six weeks or as directed by your doctor. Use a broad-spectrum SPF30 sunscreen daily.
Hairs do not fall out immediately, but you will shed them over a period of days to weeks. This may look like continued hair growth. The repeated treatments are usually necessary because hair growth and loss naturally occur in a cycle, and laser treatment works best with hair follicles in the new-growth stage.
