Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal uses optical energy to target the pigment in the hair. The objective is to damage the root of the hair permanently, by subjecting it to sufficient heat. On average, a person requires 10+ treatments, approximately 4-8 weeks apart.
Realistic Expectations
Following several treatments with appropriate intervals, most follicles that cycle through hair growth will be critically injured so they are permanently disabled, and hair growth will be stunted. Follicles that are dormant are not initially affected, however during the course of treatment these hairs will be awoken and subsequently treated. When hair grows back between each treatment, there will be less of it, it will be finer, lighter, and slower growing.
Before Treatment
Client should discontinue use of any irritant topical agents 48 hours prior to their treatment.
The client should arrive for treatment with clean skin; there should be no lotion,
make-up, perfume, deodorant, powder or bath/shower oil present on the skin
Avoid skin irritation or skin tanning
*Treatment area must be shaved 24-48
hours prior to treatment
After Treatment
The number of required treatments depends on the hair growth cycle, hair color, and depth. The average number of sessions is around 10, however more sessions may be required for light and fine hair. Everyone is different
If client has a hormonal disorder the number of treatments may vary
In the future a touch-up treatment session may be needed for sporadic new hair growth
Possible Side Effects
Hypo- and hyper-pigmentation
Skin redness (Erythema)
Swelling
Scarring
Who is NOT Eligible:
Any person:
With a pacemaker or internal defibrillator
With current or history of cancer or pre-malignant moles
Who is pregnant or who is nursing
With an impaired immune system due to immuno suppressive diseases
(such as AIDS and HIV) or a person using immuno suppressive medication
With a history of skin disorders, keloids, abnormal
wound healing
With a history of bleeding disorder
Using medications, herbs, food supplements, and vitamins known to induce photosensitivity to light exposure. *Requires spot treatment 24 hours in advance
Treated with accutane in the last 6 months
With facial laser resurfacing and deep chemical peeling within the last three months, if face is treated
With active sun exposure or UV light exposure (including tanning beds or self-tanning creams)
within the last four weeks
With diseases which may be stimulated by light
*Any person with light pigmented hair is not a candidate for laser hair removal
*Persons with history of diseases stimulated by heat, such as recurrent Herpes Simplex,
may still be treated following a prophylactic regime