Laser Hair Removal

LASER HAIR REMOVAL

How does Diode Laser System work?

 
A: The system emits near-infared laser light that is absorbed by the pigment located in the hair follicle. The laser is pulsed, or turned on, for only a fraction of a second. The duration of each pulse is just long enough to damage the follicle, while the system’s unique, patented contact-cooling hand piece, the ChillTip, helps protect the skin by conductive cooling during the laser energy delivery.

Q: What advantages does the LightSheer® have over other laser hair removal systems?

 
A: The LightSheer® Diode Laser System was designed from the ground up for laser hair removal, so it has the wavelength, fluence, pulse width, active epidermal cooling system-the ChillTip ideally suited for laser hair removal. The LightSheer® Diode System has 3 advantages over other methods, comfort, speed and accuracy

Q: Is the hair removal permanent?

 It is difficult to predict individual responses as many factors are involved: the thickness of the hairs, different body sites, hormonal differences, how black the hairs are and how strong a laser light can be tolerated.

In general, the hair free intervals gradually lengthen and regrowth gets sparser and finer.

Q: Is it painful?

A: No treatment to remove unwanted hair is completely painless. Clients who have undergone repeated waxing or hours of electrolysis can attest to the pain caused by commonly used methods of epilation. The LightSheer Diode System is fast, which reduces treatment time. It provides long-lasting hair removal, reducing the need for repeated treatment. The ChillTip cooling lens helps reduce comfort while protecting skin surface from thermal injury during delivery of the pulse of the laser light. 

Q: How many treatments are required?atments are required?

Because the laser affects hair follicles only when they are in the growth phase, more than one treatment may be necessary to disable hair follicles that subsequently enter the growth phase. During your consultation, you will be advised as to the approximate number of treatments. On average, most patients will require a series of treatments (6-8) over a 6-12 months period of time. Most patients, however, do begin noticing hair reduction during the treatments and some may not need all of the treatments provided in a series. 

Q: Are there any side effects?there any side effects?

As with any laser or light based treatment, adverse events can occur, even in skilled hands. But one should make sure the skill level of the laser therapist is up to the challenge of providing hair removal care to you, the patient. This is by far the most important issue when it comes to laser hair removal – the skill level of the provider.

As with any laser treatment, adverse events can occur. Treatment site redness and some swelling right where the laser was used is a common and, in fact, an expected adverse event from laser hair removal. This will only last a short time – but it helps assure us that the light energy will be transferred to the appropriate skin cells. Blister and burn reaction are quite  rare as well as hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation.

Q: How long does the procedure take?
A: Each pulse of laser energy will treat a square area of skin approximately ⅜ inch (9mm). For this reason the amount of time required depends on the size of the area requiring treatment. For example the upper lip and bikini line may require only 5 to 15 minutes of treatment, while a longer period of time will be required to treat the back or legs.

 Laser Hair Removal Patient Information

Pretreatment Instructions

 Before treatment, patients are advised to avoid tanning and sunless tanners. Sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher should be used. No plucking, waxing, or electrolysis should be done, although shaving or depilatory creams can be used. The site to be treated may be shaved on to two days prior to laser treatment.

 Laser Treatment

 On the day of treatment, the area should be clean and free of cosmetics. The procedure is tolerable with little discomfort. A topical anesthetic cream can be applied for sensitive patients. The topical anesthetic should be applied to the site at least 30 minutes prior to treatment and can be reapplied every 15 minutes until the procedure.

In general, three or more treatments are required at each site to achieve permanent hair growth reduction (hair laser removal does not permanently stop hair growth). Darker hair responds best to the laser, while lighter hair (white, gray, or red) is less responsive.

The laser pulses feel like the snapping of a rubber band or warm pinpricks against the skin. Ideally, the immediate response is vaporization of the hair shaft. Slight swelling and redness around the hair follicles appear within a few minutes. Ice packs may be applied to the skin following treatment.

Patients are instructed to avoid sun-exposure and to use a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 during the course of  treatment or as directed by the doctor.  

 Laser Hair Efficacy

The percentage of hairs removed per session varies in different body locations, with areas of thin skin (for example, bikini and armpits) generally showing a better response than areas of thick skin (for example, the back and chin). Approximately 10-25 percent reduction in hair growth can be expected with each treatment. Treatments are repeated every four to eight weeks. The hair that re-grows tends to be lighter and finer in texture.

Laser Hair Removal Aftercare Instructions

1. Immediately following treatment, a chilled Aloe Vera gel will be applied to the treated area.

2. Once home, a cool compress or ice pack can be applied to the treated areas. Over the counter hydrocortisone cream and Aloe Vera gel can be applied to the area as well.

3. Treated hairs should fall out in 10-21 days (results may vary).

4. DO NOT shave, wax or pluck for 3 days following treatment. After 3 days you may shave but avoid waxing or plucking during the course of your treatments.

5. Wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30 everyday for the next 3-6 months.

6. If increased pigmentation occurs in treated areas your doctor will prescribe a bleaching cream that can be used twice daily. Pigmentation should improve over the course of several weeks.

7. If you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to call your doctor.