Laser Hair Removal: Frequently Asked Questions
What is laser hair removal?
Is the laser hair removal treatment painful?
Are there any side effects from laser hair removal?
How long does it take before I see results after my hair removal treatment?
How many laser hair removal treatments will I need?
What should I do before and after treatment?
How is laser hair removal different from electrolysis?
Laser hair removal is a faster and gentler way to remove unwanted hair with long lasting results. It applies precisely controlled pulses of energy, reaching deep into hair follicles that lie beneath the skin. The energy heats the hair to the bottom of the root, destroying it without damaging surrounding tissue or skin.
Is the laser hair removal treatment painful?
Our state of the art laser is equipped with a high-tech chilling system, which cools the dermis and neutralizes discomfort. At times, clients may experience a "pins and needles" sensation that only lasts for a fraction of a second.
Are there any side effects from laser hair removal?
The state of the art technology used at The Cosmetic Laser Center cools the skin before during and after each pulse giving the patient maximum comfort and safety. Most people experience no side effects at all, though some reddening of the skin may occur. After treatment, you can return to your regular daily activities immediately. Please keep the treated skin protected from direct sun exposure for a short period of time after treatment.
How long does it take before I see results after my hair removal treatment?
You will be able to see some results in the begining. It takes 2-3 weeks for all the hairs in the treated area to fall out followed by a short period of no hair growth. You will see results while moving towards your long-term goal.
How many laser hair removal treatments will I need?
The number of treatments required for long-term benefits, depend on three factors; the area being treated, your hair density, and the hair's growth cycle. Every hair follows three phases of hair growth: Anagen (active), Catagen (regression) and Telogen (resting).
Laser technology is designed to treat hair in the Anagen phase of growth. Additional factors, including age, ethnicity, weight, hormones, diet, medication and metabolism, influence hair growth and play a role in the location, thickness and resilience of your hair. Although each client is unique, an average of 6 treatments spaced 6 weeks apart, is necessary for permanent results.
What should I do before and after treatment?
Please shave the area to be treated a day before the laser hair removal treatment. The less hair on the skin during treatment will make the treatment more comfortable. Avoid the sun 2 to 3 weeks before and after treatment until your technician allows it. You must not bleach, pluck or wax for 3 weeks prior to your treatment. It is OK to resume shaving of the hair in the treated area 3-4 days after treatment.
You should not have waxing, plucking or electrolysis done after receiving our laser hair removal treatment, because these procedures will temporarily remove pigmented hairs from the hair roots and reduce the effectiveness of your next laser treatment. Sometimes after plucking or waxing, the hair becomes thicker and darker--as one of the ways the body defends itself from chronic irritation is to produce thicker, darker hairs.
Shaving is the best temporary way to remove unwanted hair before and between laser hair removal treatments. Shaving leaves the hair shafts in the hair follicles so they can be good targets during the next laser treatment, optimizing your results.
How is laser hair removal different from electrolysis?
Electrolysis works by the use of an electric current delivered through a small needle or electrode which is passed through the skin and, hopefully, into the hair bulb beneath the surface of the skin. There are several drawbacks with electrolysis.
Firstly, the electric current can damage normal skin around the hair follicle resulting in scarring. Secondly, since it is impossible to see the hair follicle that is being treated, the practitioner cannot be certain that the electric current is being placed in exactly the right space. As anyone who has had electrolysis can attest, electrolysis can be exceedingly painful.
Therefore, electrolysis is more costly, slower, and most dangerous when compared to laser hair removal.
