Laser Hair Removal
Questions and Answers
- What are the traditional methods of hair removal?
- Do laser treatments hurt?
- What distinguishes laser therapy from other methods of hair removal?
- How long does a Laser Hair Removal treatment take?
- How does it work?
- How many treatments are recommended?
- What lasers do you use?
- Is Laser Hair Removal permanent?
- Is Laser Hair Removal safe?
- Who is a good candidate for Laser Hair Removal?
- What is the best way to learn more?
What are the traditional methods of hair removal?
Shaving is the most common method but is very time consuming and inconvenient. Tweezing is another alternative but can be very tedious and impractical. Waxing can treat larger areas faster but is hard on the skin. Ripping the hair out by the root distorts the follicle, resulting in ingrown hairs. And sometimes the skin comes off with the hair. All of these methods require constant maintenance and result in only a few days of hair free skin.
Until 1997, electrolysis was the only long-term method of hair removal. With electrology, a needle is inserted into each hair follicle, which is heated using an electric current. Then, each individual hair is tweezed. The effectiveness is dependent on the skill of the technician. It does remain the best alternative for white hair. If it is the best option for you, we will refer you to a skilled electrologist.
What distinguishes laser therapy from other methods of hair removal?
One of the advantages of laser hair removal is treatment speed. Electrology can only treat one hair at a time. Our procedures often take less time than waxing.
Laser therapy is a long-term solution to unwanted hair. After waxing, tweezing or shaving, the stubble returns very quickly and you only enjoy smooth, hair-free skin for a short time. After a laser treatment, the hair sheds within about 10 days and you are completely hair-free for two to eight weeks. And less hair grows back after each treatment.
How does it work?
The goal in hair removal is to selectively heat the hair's bulb and bulge without damaging the surrounding tissue. The laser emits a beam of nearly invisible laser light, which passes harmlessly through the skin and is absorbed at the follicular level. The laser energy is absorbed and transformed into heat that damages the dermal papilla and cellular matrix, inhibiting the follicle's ability to produce a darker, terminal hair.
By properly adjusting the pulse-width (the amount of time the laser is on) and the fluence (energy level), the laser light is able to pass unaffected through the thin layer of skin pigment and reach the deeper hair follicle. Hair growth is impaired without damaging the surrounding tissue. The result is a safer, faster and more effective way to eliminate unwanted hair.
What lasers do you use?
We currently use an Alexandrite laser manufactured by Candela called a Gentlelase Plus and ND:YAG laser by Cutera called a XEO manufactured by Cutera. At the Lux Clinic, we are constantly modernizing our equipment. We have used seven different systems and pride ourselves on offering the latest and best technology.
Not all lasers are the same. Some systems are underpowered and do not deliver enough fluence (or heat energy) to the follicle. Some use too small a spot size to get enough depth of penetration to treat the deeper follicles in the back and legs. Some cannot treat darker skin. Other lasers use the wrong wavelength of light or too short a pulse duration, which result in risky, painful or ineffective treatments.
We do not believe Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is an optimal modality for hair removal. These are not lasers. They emit a broad spectrum of light and are ideal for eliminating pigmented lesions. We use our Cutera IPL for facial rejuvenation and to treat sun spots but not hair removal.
Is Laser Hair Removal safe?
At the Lux Clinic, we have treated thousands of people safely over the last seven years. Our process is designed to selectively target the melanin in the hair follicle and leave the skin unharmed. Our Cutera laser is even safe to use on very dark or suntanned skin!
After a treatment, most people will experience some mild skin irritation or redness, which resolves in a few hours. Laser treatments are not without risk. Adverse effects to the skin do occasionally occur and we are committed to fully informing you of all the risks before you decide to proceed.
Do laser treatments hurt?
The laser pulse is often described as a wave of heat with a pinprick or rubber band snapping sensation. It stings a bit, but having your hair torn out by the root as with waxing or tweezing doesn't exactly feel good either. Our customers tolerate it well without the use of anesthetics.
Our lasers are equipped with skin-cooling systems to minimize discomfort while reducing the chance of adverse skin reactions. This allows the continuous direct cooling of the epidermis during treatment.
How many treatments are recommended?
The laser works by disabling hair follicles that are actively producing hair. When you pluck a hair and can see a bulb, then you know that this hair is in its growth phase. With a series of treatments, it's likely that we will have treated most of the hair follicles in this active growth phase. We have found that a series of five treatments are necessary for optimal results.
People with lighter hair or darker skin will need more treatments. Age, skin and hair color, ethnicity, hormone levels, heredity, pain tolerance, sun exposure are all factors that can affect the number of treatments you may need. Follow-up maintenance is often necessary. Your consultant will determine what you can reasonably expect and work with you to develop an individualized plan.
How long does a Laser Hair Removal treatment take?
One of the real advantages to laser therapy is speed. Each laser pulse treats about a half-inch area per second. The amount of time needed depends on the size of area treated. For example, the lip can be treated in less than five minutes, bikini and underarms together take thirty minutes. A back can take about an hour. These are average treatment times and will vary due to the height and weight of the patient.
Is Laser Hair Removal permanent?
Several newer laser systems have clearly documented that they can achieve permanent hair reduction equivalent to or better than electrology. The FDA has cleared many lasers for permanent hair reduction. Clinical studies have shown a 75% permanent long-term reduction of hair after four consecutive treatments. The results are cumulative, i.e. more treatments lead to greater degrees of permanent hair reduction.
For any given patient results cannot be precisely predicted. Some people do not respond to treatment or need many more treatments than others, particularly when hormonal issues are involved. Results can be variable, even with the best lasers.
One of the goals of our consultation is to set a realistic expectation for customers. Hair is a healthy part of the skin's structure. We are not attempting to eliminate every last hair forever. The body is resilient and can create new follicles. Our goal is to inhibit the hairs' ability to grow thus creating a more natural appearance.
Who is a good candidate for Laser Hair Removal?
If you are concerned about unwanted hair, you are probably a good candidate for laser hair removal. Individuals with fair skin and dark, coarse hair are typically the best candidates. However, we can treat most skin and hair colors. If you have white, bright red or light blond hair, you will need to use a lotion called Meladine to dye the hair before treatment. If you have very fine velus hair, there is a prescription cream that may work well for you. If you are taking a sun-sensitive medication (like Accutane), a waiting period is necessary before you begin treatment.
What is the best way to learn more?
We offer complementary consultations by appointment Monday-Saturday. We would be happy to meet with you and answer all your questions. There is quite a bit of additional information we would love to share with you. Our consultations are informational and are designed to give you all the information you will need to make a completely informed decision.
