Frequently Asked
Questions
How many treatments
will I need?
Laser hair removal
requires multiple treatments. During the initial visit, the laser disables
those follicles in the Anagen "active" phase of the growth cycle. Follicles
in the Telogen "resting or dormant" phase will not be affected. Since
follicles cycle through "active" and "dormant" phases, additional sessions
may be desired once the "dormant" follicles become "active". For this
reason, we recommend a series of treatments . Our experience is that an
average of between four and six treatments is to be expected.
Can my treated hair
grow again later?
No. Once a hair follicle
is destroyed it is said to be sterile, that follicle can never produce a hair
again. However as we age, the body can go through hormonal changes which can
stimulate dormant hair follicles to begin growing hair. This is a common
side effect of menopause.
In addition, certain
medications your physician my require you to use due to a medical condition
can stimulate hair to return even years later. For these reasons, we
cannot guarantee that you will be hair-free forever.
Am I a candidate for
laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is not
for everyone. Coarse dark hair responds the best to laser treatment. Since
the laser focuses on the pigment in the hair follicle, the ideal candidate is
fair-skinned with dark hair. Those men and women with white/gray/blonde hair
have a far less chance of the melanin in the hair shaft absorbing the laser
energy. Blonde or red hair is very difficult to treat because it contains
pheomelanin, which absorbs laser energy less than the eumelanin pigment which
is present in black or brown hair. White does not respond to treatment.
Patients with pigmented skin are not candidates for treatment because too
much laser energy is absorbed in their skin. Tanned patients must wait until
their tan fades before they can be treated.
Which areas can be
treated?
We have had very good
success with any area where there is excess hair. The only area we do not
treat is adjacent to the eye, however the glabella area (between the eyes) is
treated.
The most common areas
requested are the face, upper lip, neck, chin, chest, underarms, back,
abdomen, bikini line, breast, and legs.
What is the cost of
laser treatment?
Before seeing the exact
area you wish to have treated, it is impossible to give you your exact cost
for treatment however the average cost is approximately two hundred dollars
per treatment.
During your consultation
appointment, we will give you a "price protected" quote which will be your
cost for each treatment you require. As you can imagine, the person wanting
to treat a large area will be charged more than the person wanting to treat
only a small area.
Come in for your
consultation appointment and we will be happy to discuss all the options
available to you.
Is the laser treatment painful?
While some areas of
the body are more sensitive than others, most patients report little or no
discomfort. The advanced DCD cooling device of our GentleLASE Plus™
laser is all you need to minimize any discomfort. For more sensitive
patients, anesthetic creams can be applied prior to laser therapy treatment.
How
long do I have to wait before I can wear make-up?
Make-up can be applied
24-48 hours after your treatment.
Is laser hair
removal covered by insurance?
Unfortunately most
insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for cosmetic procedures.
However, consult with your insurance carrier for more information.
What does treatment
include?
The patient and the
practitioner wear safety eyewear to protect them from the laser light during
the procedure. A small hand piece is used that touches the skin to deliver
the laser light. A light spray of coolant onto the skin will be felt just
before each laser pulse. The laser pulses for a fraction of a second,
A test area will be done
prior to the entire treatment. Your full treatment may be done on the same
day or up to two weeks later, depending on the skin reaction.
Most patients experience
little discomfort at the treatment site because of the dynamic cooling
device. The degree of discomfort varies with each person, depending on
his/her pain threshold. Topical anesthesia may also be requested based on
individual preferences or tolerances.
What precautions should
be taken before treatment?
The most important
precaution to take is to avoid the sun 4-6 weeks before and after treatment
or until your practitioner allows it. You must avoid electrolysis, plucking
or waxing hair for 6 weeks prior to treatment.
If you have had a history
of peri-oral herpes, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be prescribed. If
you have a dark skin type, a bleaching cream may be started 4-6 weeks before
treatment to optimize results. This will be determined during your free
initial consultation appointment.
What should I look for
after treatment?
Within several minutes of
the treatment, the treated area will be come slightly red and puffy. This
reaction subsides, and within a few hours the area returns to normal. Since
the laser does not cut the skin, no bandages are necessary, and you can
return to your normal activities immediately.
Recommended post-operative
care includes:
-
avoiding sun
exposure or tanning
-
applying ice for discomfort
-
applying topical antibiotic cream or ointment.
Hairs usually can be seen
falling out in 7 to 10 days after treatment. These hairs generally fall out
on their own. No treatment is needed to remove them.
Are there any side
effects?
Patients may experience
some discoloration or reddening of the skin similar to a sunburn around the
treatment site. Some patients may experience hypopigmentation (reduced
pigment) or hyperpigmentation (increased pigment) response or the increase of
pigment color. Pigmentary changes may persist for months, but are almost
always temporary.
Blisters are rare but
occasionally occur, particularly in patients with dark skin. During your
consultation appointment we can best determine your skin type and the risks
associated with your individual skin type.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS PLEASE CONTACT US RIGHT AWAY AT
1-773-286-8111
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