What are the most popular areas for laser hair removal?

The most popular areas for men include the back and shoulders, neck, face, buttocks and genitals. For women, it is the bikini line, armpits, facial hair.

What is the difference between pulsed light and lasers?

Pulsed light is not laser. While pulsed light is effective and can be used for other services, our experience supports the more powerful laser treatment for hair removal. Pulsed light is generally less safe for darker skin colors.

How is laser different from electrolysis?

Electrolysis treatment is one hair at a time. Laser is much quicker. With laser, an area like the underarms, for example, can be treated in just 10 minutes. Electrolysis is not as effective but can target white, gray, light blond, and redheads, whereas laser cannot.

What are the risks of laser hair removal?

These lasers do not remove skin, so the risks are very low. It is what we like to call a “lunchtime procedure” because there is no recovery time. Patients can return to work or play immediately. As with any procedure, we have an informed consent that explains all the possible risks.

How old do you have to be for laser hair removal?

There really is no age limit, but we never treat toddlers and we currently do not treat children under the age of 13. Young people who are not finished growing will develop new hair as they grow, and will require touch ups to maintain the results. Older people usually have gray hair that will not respond to laser.

How does laser hair removal work?

The laser beam passes through the skin and is absorbed in the hair follicle residing underneath the skin’s surface. The laser energy destroys the follicle with the heat that it generates. Destroyed hairs are then either dissolved within the skin or rejected by the body within the next several days. Click here to learn what to expect during treatment.

How many treatments will be needed?

Laser treatment impairs the growth of hair follicles when they are in the growth (or anagen) cycle at the time of treatment. Unfortunately, not all hair follicles are at this stage at the same time. Therefore, for effective permanent hair removal, most people require approximately 4-8 treatments to achieve the desired results.

How long will the procedure take?

This varies depending on the area of the body. Treatments on the back or legs can take up to one hour, while treatments of the underarms and bikini generally take 10 minutes. The upper lip and chin can usually be done in less than 5 minutes.

Are there any side effects?

After the treatment you may experience a slight reddening of the skin similar to a sunburn that will resolve within a few hours to days. In certain instances (especially in patients with darker complexions) temporary pigment changes may occur, but will disappear within a month.

Is the laser hair removal treatment painful?

This is a common initial concern for many of our patients. Our laser uses a special cooling system that lowers the temperature of the skin at the treatment site before, during, and after laser exposure. Therefore, the treatment is generally not painful and is usually well tolerated. Some patients describe the treatment as a sensation like the snap of a rubber band and “much less painful than the waxing I used to subject myself to.” Topical anesthetic cream is an option for more sensitive areas.

Are the results permanent?

Results vary depending on skin and hair type. Studies have shown that many patients can achieve permanent hair loss of up to 85-90%, and remaining hair returns lighter and softer.