We get many questions regarding Laser Hair Removal. We thought it would be a good idea to share some Q&A’s with you to hopefully answer all the questions you have concerning the treatment. Now is a great time to get started on your treatments, you could have Permanent Hair Reduction by the Summer Time!
What are some of the benefits of laser hair removal?
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal are:
- Permanent Hair Reduction
- Folliculitis
- Smooth Skin
What areas can be treated with Laser Hair Removal?
Interestingley enough you can treat any area of the body EXCEPT: Ears, Head, and Nostrils. These areas are not recommended being so close to the brain.
How many treatments will I need?
So, you will need at least (6-8) treatments, every (6-8) weeks for permanent hair reduction. These treatment intervals are recoomended because our hair grows in phases. The 3 phases are: Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen phase. It takes 28-36 days for your hair to go through all of the phases.
The Anagen phase is the beginning of the hair growth cycle. The catagen phase comes after the anagen phase where when the hair is in the transitional stage. Then the final stage is the Telogen stage, this is the resting phase when your hair is released and falls out. Your laser hair removal treatments should start at the anagen phase when the hair is visibily above the skin. But I will say that the number of treatments varies from person to person. For example: the face is such a hormonal area that any stress, or changes to the body can trigger that re-growth of hair. Ethnicity has also has an effect on how many treatments your need.
How long does each treatment take?
The treatment time depends on the area being treated (small-large). Times can range from (10min – 60min).
Is the treatment painful?
I want to start off this topic by stating what everybody is thinking about when they first think about getting Laser Hair Removal and that’s, does it hurt? Is it painful? Well everyones pain tolerance is difference but we always like to let our clients know that the treatment feels like a rubber band snap to the skin with a warming sensation. Most clients tolerate the procedure but we have a couple of ways that we can make it tolerable. Also it gets less painful as treatments continue and the hair becomes finer. Two ways that we can make the treatment tolerable is by:
- Icing the area prior to treating
- Using a Zimmer (blows cool air) while doing the treatment
With that being it doesn’t feel the best but we will make it the most comfortable for you.
How do I prepare for laser hair removal?
Well first things first STOP all waxing and tweezing. Waxing an Tweezing are both a depilation to the hair follicle. If you come in for treatment days or weeks after tweezing or waxing theres a good chance that theres no hair there to treat with the laser. But what we do want you to do is shave either the Night Before or Morning of your treatment. YES SHAVE!
Wondering why you have to shave? Shaving is a must because the laser is using energy to target that hair follicle and if there’s too much hair on top of the skin it will not fully treat the hair underneath which is the purpose. We want the laser to destroy the hair bulb causing thinning, lightening of hair and delay regrowth, eventually have the permanent hair reduction.
How the technology works:
Light energy is absorbed by the melanin in the hair shaft an hair matrix. The energy is delivered to affect the hair follicle and not the surrounding tissue. Appearance of hair growth and stuble will be evident 7-30 days post treatment.
Are there side effects?
Some side effects can include some redness and erythema to the area treated.
Is it permanent?
Its permanent hair reduction. It drastically reduces the hair growth by (70%-90%) to the point that you can stop shaving altogether.
What is the typical cost of treatment?
Lastly Im sure you want to know how much money you’ll be spending for your hairless needs. Pricing definitely ranges depening of how small or large the area is so it can be from $125-$1,000 for a single treatment.
Oh and I saved the BEST question for last!! Does skin type matter?
NOT AT ALL!! Any skintype can be treated. And even better we can see BOTH Dark Hair and Blonde Hair. Many clients with darker skin types tend to be concerned that the laser will burn them and leave them with hyperpigmentation in the areas that were treated. If settings are appropriate this risk is VERY low.
Whew! I hope we’ve answered your questions. If you have any further questions. Please feel free to give our office a call.
