/laser hair removal
Laser hair removal results in hair reduction on all areas of the body and is effective on all skin types - both light and dark.
/laser hair removal faq
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Lasers designed for hair reduction emit wavelengths of light designed to be absorbed by the pigment in the hair (melanin). If the surrounding skin is relatively light compared to the color of the hair, then the entire energy of the laser will be concentrated in the hair shaft, effectively destroying it without affecting the skin or follicle. Hair removal lasers target the dark pigment in the hair. Thats why laser hair removal works best on light skin (so laser passes right through) and dark coarse hair (has most pigment).
The ability of the laser to produce a very narrow bandwidth on a consistent basis is the key to a safe efficient treatment. The types of lasers used for permanent hair reduction include the ruby (old machines only safe for very pale skin types - not recommended), Nd:YAG, diode, and alexandrite.
While the laser emits a beam that only heats the hair shaft, heat is transmitted from the hair shaft to the surrounding tissue for several milliseconds after the laser pulse. Several lasers possess cooling attachments which cool the surrounding skin to fully absorb any heat transmitted from the destroyed hair shafts.
Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?
The Food and Drug Administration approved it as permanent reduction. Generally, this means that you shouldnt expect the laser to remove every single hair from an area. Most will also need touch-up treatments 1-2 times a year after the initial set of treatments for any new growth your body develops with age.
Am I a Candidate for Laser Hair Removal?
Both men and women seek laser hair removal services to have unwanted hair removed. Hair removal is commonly done on the hairline, between the eyebrows, lip, chin, ear lobes, shoulders, back, underarms, abdomen, buttocks, pubic area, bikini line, thighs, face, beard area, neck, breasts, arms, legs, hands, and toes. We will administer laser hair removal on any area of the body except for the periorbital area (under the eyebrow and around the eye).
Laser works best on pale skin and dark coarse hair since it is attracted to and targets the dark pigment. Blonde hair simply does not register, and the hair must be darker than the skintone. Here at Laser SkinCare of Louisiana we have different lasers which allow us to safely and effectively treat a broad range of skin tones. If there are any concerns or questions of any nature based on tone/color, it is our standard of practice to test patch a small area before committing to treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
Most clients require a series of 6-8 treatments spaced 4-10 weeks (depending on the area being treated) apart to achieve substantial hair removal. This is because hair grows in 3 phases and is effectively treated in the first active growing phase (anagen). Several treatments are needed to treat ALL hair in the active growth phase. Approximately 4-10 weeks after every treatment, additional treatment is required to eliminate the hairs that came out of the dormant phase and are now active. After 6-8 treatments or so, patients should experience a considerable percentage of hair reduction. Depending upon hair type and genetic factors, some clients may require additional treatments beyond these initial treatments.
What Should I Expect Before and After Treatment?
You should shave the area to be treated the night before or the day of treatment (some clinics will offer to do this for you, but beware of irritation caused by disposable razors, dry shaving, etc). No bleaching, waxing, or removing hair with the root in any other way is allowed 6 weeks before and throughout the course of treatment as hair needs to be in place to be targeted by laser. The area should be shaved as closely as possible so that laser can target the most energy towards the hair follicle and not waste energy on the part of the hair above the skins surface. If your hair is the type that you can't see where it was right after you shave, make it a bit easier on your tech not to miss the spots you want treated by shaving 1-3 days before so the outline of where hair is growing is just VERY slightly visible, or allowing the technician to shave for you after marking the location of the hair.
Minimize sun exposure before and after treatments. We do not treat sunburned or recently tanned skin. Any amount of suntan will render the laser treatment less effective and increase the chances for an adverse reaction such as blisters or burning. Self tanners should also be avoided. Patients with a history of cold sores /herpes simplex in the area to be treated have the option to be pre-treated with a prophylactic antiviral medication prior to treatment. Do not use AHA's or Retin-A products 24-48 hours prior to treatment on area to be treated.
The appearance of the treated area immediately following a laser hair removal session will vary from patient to patient and varies for different body parts. If swelling or redness at the laser hair removal treatment site occurs, it typically goes away within a couple hours but may last up to a few days. It may feel like a mild sunburn and should be treated as such. Apply hydrocortisone cream or aloe vera to soothe the skin if needed. Avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen with Zinc Oxide 5% or greater throughout the course of treatment.
In most cases (with some exceptions based on the area treated and skin tone), you should experience shedding of treated hair. At first, hair will look like its growing back in, but it is just coming through the skin to shed. Shedding can start at about 1.5 weeks and can last until 4 weeks post-treatment or so. Exfoliating and/or scrubbing gently in the shower with a loofa can help speed up the process. After shedding finishes, you might experience little black dots still stuck in the skin. These are commonly referred to as pepperspots and will shed eventually, but might take a bit longer. Exfoliate to help those out as well.
After shedding occurs, you may experience a hairfree period for a few weeks, until the next set of hair that was dormant before starts to come in. Once you have enough to justify one, go in for another treatment. This usually happens within 4-10 weeks post-treatment. Patient continues this process until he/she has reached diminishing returns and the remaining hairs are too fine for lasers to target, or until you have reached your desired reduction.
Is Laser Hair Removal Painful?
Generally laser hair removal is not much more painful than waxing, but the sensation is different. It resembles a cold rubber band snapping against the skin for a quick second with each pulse. Both lasers that we use for laser hair removal employ cooling devices that make treatment more comfortable.
Most people do not require an anesthetic cream (like EMLA), but it can be used for particularly sensitive patients or areas. Be aware that using anesthetic creams is only safe on small areas (like upper lip, bikini, or underarms) and in small quantities. Consult with your tech and doctor if unsure.
What Are the Possible Risks and Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal?
The possibility exists that some side effects or complications can occur given many variables, including:
Normal
Itching, during treatment
Redness for up to 3 days
Swelling (around mouth of follicle) for up to 3 days
Pain, tingling, or feeling of numbness (cold spray)
Rare
Crusting/scab formation (on ingrown hairs)
Bruising
Purpura (purple coloring of the skin) on tanned areas
Infection
Temporary pigment change (hypo-pigmentation or hyper-pigmentation)
Side effects occur infrequently and, as a rule, generally are temporary. If any of the above last for more than 3 days, make sure to contact your technician and/or doctor. The technician needs to know in order to adjust the settings on your following treatment.
What are the possible causes of excessive hair growth and how can it affect my treatments?
The causes of excessive hair growth pattern are many and varied, including:
Heredity
Pregnancy
Glandular and/or hormonal imbalances (possible PCOS condition for women), including diseases causing these effects
Insulin resistance issues
Reactions to certain medications
Normal aging processes
Excessive temporary removal methods like waxing, tweezing, creams and depilatories, etc.
Every laser candidate should explore a possible underlying reason of the extreme hair growth before starting laser because if there is something in the body consistently triggering hair growth, laser treatments might seem ineffective because the body will keep developing new hair. So, it will always seem like there is not reduction, when in fact its NEW hair your body is producing that you are seeing, not that treated by laser growing back. Women with PCOS hair growth patterns (upper lip, chin, cheeks, etc) should see an endocrinologist and have hormonal tests taken. Men can get tested for insulin resistance etc. Talk to your doctor if you suspect you might have an underlying medical condition causing excessive hair growth before starting laser hair removal. Once the condition is under control through treatment/medication, laser hair removal can then be performed. Laser can affect the hair thats currently present, but cannot prevent NEW hair from developing.
Do I have to buy a series?
No, we do not ask that you commit to a series or require you to pay up front for several treatments. We understand that the number of treatments varies by individual, and we want to give you the freedom and flexibility where your treatment is concerned.
We offer free consultations to anyone interested in hair removal. This allows you to visit our office, gather information, and ask any questions or voice concerns. It also gives our therapists the opportunity to identify whether laser hair removal can be safely and effectively administered to you at any given time.
Are there any pre-treatment restrictions?
Yes. Any amount of suntan will make the laser treatment less effective and increase the chances for an adverse effect such as blisters or burning. Therefore it is recommended that sun bathing and tanning be avoided prior to the procedure. The same precautions that apply to sun bathing and tanning also apply to the use of self tanners. Additionally, as the follicle beneath the skin contains the melanin that the laser targets waxing, plucking and electrolysis should be avoided for several weeks prior to the procedure. The laser should be avoided in cases of active outbreaks of cold sores or Herpes Simplex virus.
What is the Hair Growth Cycle and How Does Hair Growth Work?
Under normal circumstances hair growth in each hair follicle occurs in a cycle. There are three main phases of the hair growth cycle: anagen, catagen and telogen.
Anagen is the growing phase or when the hair fiber is produced. During anagen, the hair contains an abundance of melanin, the pigment which gives your hair its color. This is the phase during which laser hair removal treatment is most effective.
Catagen is the period of controlled regression of the hair follicle. This phase is when the lower part of the hair stops growing, but does not shed, and the follicle is reabsorbed. It will be difficult for permanence to be achieved when the hair is in the catagen growth cycle.
Telogen is the last of the hair growth cycle. In this resting phase, the old hair falls out in preparation for the development of a new anagen hair. Permanence cannot be achieved when the hair are in the telogen growth cycle.
Normally this cycle of hair production will continue for the duration of the individual's life. However, other factors can influence, promote and inhibit hair production. How well the laser can eliminate the hairs, depends on the skin type/color, hair type/color and what initially caused the hair to grow.
Can I just reduce the density of hair on an area instead of removing it completely?
Yes, this can be achieved with having only a few treatments instead of the complete set of 6-8 and by an experienced technician who is careful not to miss areas during treatments.
