How Does it Work?
A focused beam of light emitted by the laser is absorbed only through
the pigment located in the hair follicle. The light is pulsed for only
a fraction of a second. The duration of each pulse is just long enough
to disable the follicle, but not so long that excess heat is
transferred to the skin surrounding the hair. When the hair follicle
absorbs the light, it is destroyed.
Who is a candidate?
Women and men who have
unwanted hair on any facial and body part; women with hormonal
imbalance that has resulted in excessive body or facial hair; women or
men who have excessive hair growth due to medications; women who are
tired of shaving their legs or underarms every day; women or men who's
skin gets irritated, a rash, or bumps after shaving; women or men who
get ingrown hairs.
Laser hair removal
does not work well on white, gray, blonde or red hair.
Results
Improvement is
often excellent, but may not be perfect or permanent within the first
couple of treatments. Dark hair is usually easier to treat than light
hair. With each treatment you will see significant reduction in the
quantity and the thickness of the hair follicles in the treated area.
Safety and Side Effects
Lasers have
been used for many years for a variety of medical procedures. They
have an extraordinary track record for safety and accuracy.
Immediately after the treatment the areas may appear red. Pain is
generally mild and transient. Side effects are uncommon and generally
temporary.
Recovery Time
In the
majority of cases, there is no recovery time. However, any skin
reaction seen should be transient.
Is there any pain?
The degree of
discomfort varies with each person depending on one's pain threshold.
Topical anesthesia may also be requested based on individual
preference or tolerance. Be sure to discuss this with your physician
prior to the laser treatment.
Before Treatment
Please make an
appointment for consultation. If you are an appropriate candidate for
treatment, we may do either a test spot or a treatment at that time.
Please do not wax, pluck or have electrolysis done for at least 4
weeks before your consultation/treatment. You may clip or shave your
hair up to three days prior to your treatment. If you will have
treatment of the upper lip, please let us know if you have a history
of cold sores or fever blisters. Sun exposure and tanning or tanning
creams should be avoided for at least 1 month before treatment.
After Treatment
The treated
area should be treated gently. Apply Aquaphor ointment 4 times daily
if there is scabbing. Also Calandula gel (a homeopathic product) is
very helpful in healing the area if there is a sunburn sensation. Sun
protection of treated areas is always advisable after treatment. It is
best if you minimize sun exposure to the treated area for four weeks
after the procedure.
Will it work on men?
Yes. Close to
50 percent of our clients are men. Most common treatment areas for men
are: Back and shoulders, behind the neck, and beard area on the neck.
Also ears!
How many treatments are needed?
The lasers
work by disabling hairs that are in their active growth cycle at the
time of treatment. Since other hairs will enter their growth cycle at
different times, additional treatments may be necessary to disable all
of the follicles in a given area. The type of laser we use could
significantly affect the number of treatments. One should expect 3-5
visits per area to achieve desirable results. Dark hair is usually
easier to treat than light hair.
How long does each treatment last?
This greatly
varies on the treating area; upper lip takes a few minutes, whereas a
man's back could take over an hour.
Does it work for dark skin?
Yes. Certain
types of lasers are specifically designed for the treatment of dark
skin. We will evaluate your skin and hair type during your
consultation to plan a treatment that matches your specific skin and
hair. |
Click here to
order your gift certificate on-line.
