Frequently Asked Questions
How does Laser Hair Removal work?
Is laser hair removal painful?
Will laser hair removal work for my hair and skin type?
What areas of the body can be treated?
Are there any complications or risks involved with laser hair removal?
What does the treatment involve?
How many treatments will I need?
How long do the treatments take?
Does insurance pay for laser hair removal services?
How much does laser hair removal cost?
How does Laser Hair Removal work?
Laser Hair Removal (LHR) is a fast, gentle way to remove unwanted hair, with great results. The laser works by a principle called Selective Photothermolysis. The laser light energy passes harmlessly through the skin, but is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and hair shaft, thus destroying it. The hair growth cycle has three stages. The laser only kills hair that is in the growing stage because they are the darkest and absorb the most energy. That is why multiple treatments are necessary.
Is laser hair removal painful?
Most patients describe it as a little uncomfortable such as a slight pinch, a tingling or being snapped with a rubber band. The sensation lasts for less than a second. The power is adjusted for the more sensitive areas of the body to minimize discomfort. Our lasers use a cooling system that blows cold air on the area being treated, which makes the procedure very tolerable for most. Our clients will find the treatments less uncomfortable than waxing or tweezing.
Will laser hair removal work for my hair and skin type?
Laser Hair Removal works best for people with light skin and dark hair. As long as the hair is darker than the skin the laser can be effective, but red, blond, gray and white hair does not respond as well to the laser. Tanned patients should wait until their tan fades completely before they are treated.
Our lasers have the ability to treat all skin types. During your consultation your skin type, hair color and medical history will be reviewed and the appropriate laser will be selected. Some patients will require a “Patch Test” to determine suitability of treatment.
What areas of the body can be treated?
You can have laser hair removal on any hair except those near the eyes. Hair can easily be removed in-between your eyebrows and above. Hair below the eyebrow needs to be accessed during consultation to see if that is practical.
Are there any complications or risks involved with laser hair removal?
There are some rare instances of scaring and permanent skin discoloration. There is also a chance of blistering and burning of the skin occurring after a laser hair removal treatment. In most cases the pigmentary changes are temporary although they may last for several months. You can return to your regular activities immediately after treatment, although it is advisable to keep the skin protected from exposure to direct sunlight for a short period of time.
What does the treatment involve?
The patient must wear protective eyewear. The area to be treated will need to be shaved prior to treatment. When possible this should be done at home prior to your appointment. A small hand piece is placed against the skin. As the laser is fired a cool burst of cold air will cool the target area. The hand piece is then repositioned and the laser is fired again at about one second intervals. The PROCEDURE section has photos and a short video of actual treatments being performed.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of sessions will vary for each individual and area being treated. Normally six treatments are needed to get the optimum result. Laser technology destroys hairs that are in the active growth phase; therefore repeat treatments are needed to target the hair that were not active at the time of the previous treatments. Treatments are usually performed at 4-week intervals.
What should I expect?
The area treated may be red and swollen for 30 minutes to 2 days after the treatment. Typically the redness goes away within one hour. The hair will grow normally for the first 7 to 14 days. After 7 days you may notice the hairs began to fall out in a process called shedding. The hair will continue to shed for two to three weeks. Usually the hair starts to grow back after five to six weeks, but it is thinner and softer than before.
Can hair return years later?
No. Once a hair follicle is destroyed it is said to be sterile, it can never produce a hair again. A dormant hair follicle can be stimulated and begin growing hair again with some medications, hormonal changes or stress.
How long do the treatments take?
The treatment time will vary considerably depending on the size of the area treated. A small area such as the upper lip may take only five minutes, while a larger area like the back or legs may take over one hour.
Does insurance pay for laser hair removal services?
No. Insurance companies consider this a cosmetic procedure and we do not bill them for these services.
How much does laser hair removal cost?
The treatment cost varies with the size of the area treated and number of treatments needed to obtain your desired result. Our COST section lists the pricing for the most commonly performed procedures. Discounts are applied when multiple areas are being treated, therefore exact pricing will be provided after individual consultation.