1) How does
laser hair removal work?
One
pulse of laser light impacts an area the size of a quarter. The laser
energy is transformed into heat that is absorbed by the
melanin (dark pigment) resulting in damage to the hair
follicle with only short-term redness to the skin.
2) What can I
expect after the treatment?
Fine hairs will be eliminated immediately, while course
hairs will shed in about 2 weeks. There should be no
re-growth until the next growth cycle. The skin in the
treated area may become erythematous (slightly reddened) or
bumpy and may feel like a mild sunburn for a day or two
after which it will return to normal. The exciting feature
of laser hair removal is that you are essentially hair free
between treatments once the hair has shed.
3) Is it
permanent?
Laser Hair Removal, using our two lasers (the GentleLase
and the LightSheer Laser) is a safe, and FDA approved
method for long-term hair reduction. Multiple treatments
are required for all areas.
4) Does it
hurt?
Some people say it feels like a rubber band snapping
against your skin. Some areas are more sensitive than
others, and an individual’s tolerance to discomfort varies.
Some patients prefer to apply a topical anesthetic cream
one hour prior to the appointment to minimize any
discomfort. Our Candela laser has a Dynamic Cooling Device
that ejects a cool spray, while our LightSheer and Comet
lasers have a cold tip built into the hand piece to
minimize discomfort.
5) How often do
I have to come in for treatments?
You
will need to come in every 4 weeks for facial and neck hair
removal and 8 weeks for all other areas.
6) How many
treatments will I need?
For
most people, about 5 treatments will be needed to obtain
90%-plus of permanent hair reduction. The bikini area will need
fewer than 5 treatments for an equivalent result, because
of the larger number of hairs in the growth cycle. For
greater reduction, more treatments may be needed depending
on the age, gender and hormonal variance of an individual.
7) Who does the
treatments?
Registered nurses certified in Laser Hair Removal perform
the treatments and will tend to your individual needs.
8) Should I wax
or pluck before my treatment?
No,
you cannot wax, pluck or bleach for 2-3 weeks prior to the
treatment. Since the laser is attracted to the melanin in
the follicle, the hair needs to be in the follicle at the
time of the treatment.
9) Does the
hair need to be long?
No,
in fact, quite the opposite. The hair must be closely
shaved so the laser is better able to impact the hair in
the follicle. For legs, underarms, and other non-facial
areas, you should shave the area to be treated before you
arrive for your appointment. The laser can do a better job
in the follicle if there is no hair on the surface. Facial
hair will be inspected and shaved by your nurse prior to
treatment.
We provide free consultations; the treatment can be done at
that time or at a later date. Be sure to let the
receptionist know if you would like to do the treatment on
the same day as the consultation so that we can schedule
the appropriate amount of time.
Call us today at (415) 924-1330 to schedule a FREE
consultation!
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