Laser Hair Removal Fast Facts
- Removes unwanted facial or body hair over a series of treatments.
- NO downtime.
Treatments > Laser Hair Removal
How does laser hair removal work?
In the past, the usual remedies for unwanted hair included plucking, shaving, waxing, or chemical depilatories. Some are painful, some are messy, and all are only temporary. For long-term hair removal, electrolysis is effective, but it is a time-consuming procedure which can be painful and is only useful in removing hair in small areas, such as the upper lip.
Laser hair removal is a more effective solution. The LightSheer diode laser is a state-of-the-art system designed to remove unwanted hair faster, with less discomfort, and more reliably than other methods. The laser produces a beam of highly concentrated light that is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicles. Each laser pulse lasts a fraction of a second, long-enough to heat up the hair and impede the follicle's ability to re-grow. The contact-cooling handpiece cools the upper layer of the skin while directing the laser energy to the hair root. Any hair follicles that are actively growing (approximately 20% during any treatment) are susceptible to the beam of light.
What parts of the body can be treated?
Laser hair removal is safe and effective for any part of the body with unwanted hair, to include the face, neck, back, underarms, legs, bikini area, buttocks, etc. Treatments are appropriate for both men and women.
Is it safe?
Yes, the laser hair removal treatments are safe and effective. Additionally, Dr. Heidi Worth is a member of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, the world’s preeminent resource for biomedical laser and other related technologies.
Does it hurt?
The cooling tip has some anesthetic property, but most patients feel a stinging or snapping sensation. Because some areas of the body are more sensitive than others, a topical anesthetic can be used.
What is a laser hair removal treatment like?
Prior to treatment you should not pluck or wax as this removes the "target" hairs from their follicles. The day before your treatment you should shave the area to be treated. When you arrive, you may be offered a mild topical anesthetic to apply to the area for 15 or 20 minutes, then the area is cleansed and a thin film of oil is applied. You will be given eye-shields to protect your eyes from the laser light. The laser pulse feels like the snap of a rubber band; most patients tolerate the procedure quite well. After the treatment, cool aloe vera may be applied. There will be mild redness and swelling for approximately 24 hours but you can return to your usual activities immediately. Five to seven days later, you may notice the shedding of hairs in the area as a result of the laser treatment. Treatments should be scheduled 6-10 weeks apart, depending on the area treated, and you should avoid plucking or waxing between sessions.
What happens after a laser hair removal treatment?
The appearance of the treated area immediately following treatment will vary from patient to patient depending on the extent of the procedure and the skin type. Side effects, if any, are minor and include redness and swelling around the hair follicles. These are, in fact, desired clinical results and indicate that the follicle has responded to the treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
Not all hairs are actively growing at the same time. Laser hair removal works by disabling the hairs that are in an active growth phase during the time of the treatment. Since other hairs will enter this growth phase at different times, additional treatments are usually needed to disable the follicles in the area. Typically, 3-6 session are required, at intervals of 6 - 10 weeks, depending on the area of the body being treated. Our staff will work with you to develop the best program that fits your needs and your schedule.
Are the results permanent?
The LightSheer diode laser is the gold-standard of hair removal and causes permanent hair reduction and delayed regrowth of the treated hair follicles. A long-term clinical study found that, of 92 treated patients, all had temporary hair reduction and 89% had long-term hair removal. Also, the hairs that did re-grow were thinner and lighter than previously. Some areas of the body, such as the chin and upper lip in women, may require maintenance treatments.
Who is a candidate for laser hair removal?
The ideal candidates are men or women with dark hair and light skin. Darker hairs absorb more of the laser light and lighter skin allows more transmission of light to the hair follicle. Blonde or white hair does not have enough pigment in the follicle to be treated effectively with any laser system. Although patients with darker skin run a higher risk of pigmentation changes following the procedure, the LightSheer's unique wavelength allows these patients to be treated safely. Ideally, skin should be free of tan or chemical tanning creams for optimal treatment.
