Additional Laser Hair Removal Information

Why do I need multiple treatments?
The hair on our body grows in cycles. There are three phases of hair growth per cycle. They are:
  1) Anagen

  2) Catagen

  3) Telogen

The first phase of the cycle is when hair removal works. It is the only phase of the cycle where the hair is still attached to the follicle. The heat from the Laser travels down the shaft of the hair and penetrates the follicle. When this happens, the heat will destroy the follicle and it will no longer be able to produce hair.

There is usually no more than about 20% to 30% of hairs in the Anagen phase at any given time. This is one of the main reasons why a person needs multiple treatments for Laser hair removal. On a mans’ face up to 80% of the hair can be treated during one session resulting in excellent results.

Respecting the timing of treatments is very important. It takes approx. 6 to 12 weeks for the body, 4 to 8 weeks for the face to develop the next crop of active hair roots and develop the target pigment.

Pre-treatment preparation:

o   Patients who are tanned should wait for their tan to fade for 4-6 weeks for best results.

o   Patients on Accutane (treatment for acne) should discontinue this medication for at least 6 months before treatment.

o   Avoid plucking, waxing or any method of pulling of your hair at least 4 weeks before starting with treatments - the intense pulsed light must see the hair shaft to be able to destroy the follicle. Shaving or cutting of hair close to the skin is permitted.

o   Please remove all makeup before treatment. There may be a slight chance of the light energy being absorbed by makeup. Please inform us if your skin care packages contain essential oils.

What will happen treatment day?
To prepare yourself for Laser hair removal you will need to shave the area to be treated. You may shave the day before or preferably the same day. With treatments to the face it is important to remove all makeup.

Special eye protection is worn during the procedure. A water-based gel and specially designed cooling device is used. Therefore patients normally feel only a slight tingling or biting sensation during each pulse of light. Most patients find hair removal by intense pulsed light fairly painless.