Millions of women, and a growing number of men, favor silky skin free of "unsightly" or "excessive" body hair for cosmetic reasons. Skin laser treatment offers a non-surgical, often permanent solution for hair removal.

The laser is performed by a principle called Selective Photothermolysis. The laser is pulsed (turned on) for a millisecond, producing a beam of light on to the skin. The light energy passes harmlessly through the skin, but is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and hair shaft. By taking in this laser energy, the hair follicles are disabled, ruining their ability to grow. Hair does not actively grow at the same time, and has three stages during the growth cycle. The hair follicles in the first stage of growth are the darkest and absorb the most energy. A patented Chill Tip cooling hand piece protects the outer layer of skin, and has a mild anesthetic property allowing areas to be treated as painlessly as possible.

Laser-assisted Hair Removal

Most clients say that the treatment is a little uncomfortable, similar to a rubber band being snapped on the skin. Since some areas of the body are more sensitive, you may want to use a topical anesthetic. Applying this anesthetic before treatment will lessen any pain.

Treatment time may differ based on the area. The upper lip takes only a few minutes while the back or legs can take up to an hour. Results differ based on skin tone, hair follicles and growth stage. Multiple treatments may be needed to attain desired results. Post-treatment effects also differ depending on individual circumstances and stage of treatment.

The laser is effected by disabling hair in the active growth stage (anagen) at the time of treatment. Since not all hairs are in this stage during treatment, additional treatments will be required to disable all the hair follicles in the treated area. Treatments are most often given at intervals of 4 to 6 weeks, or when new hair growth is noticed. Our clinicians can discuss your goals to develop a program based on your specific circumstance.

Within about 30 minutes of treatment, the area may become pink or red. Clients describe it as mild sunburn, and this reaction usually subsides within a day or so. Because the laser does not damage the skin, no bandages are necessary. If necessary, the doctor may prescribe a topical cream to apply to the treated areas.

Following treatment, you can return to your normal activities, and treated areas should be handled with care. Avoid using Retin-A, alphahydroxy acids, glycolic acids and astringents. You may clean the area using mild soap and water. You should also avoid tanning and use a sunscreen on any treated areas exposed to the sun.

The hairs will begin to surface after about 3 to 10 days from treatment. Most of these hairs were treated and are “falling out.” It is not re-growth. The hair follicles need to purge the hairs that remain under the skin. Please refrain from waxing, plucking, or bleaching between treatments (shaving is okay). You may want to use a loofah or glove to help remove the hair as it falls out.