How does Laser Hair Removal work? The laser works to remove unwanted hair by producing a beam of highly concentrated light that is scanned across an area of the body. The pigment within the hair follicles of that area absorb the light emitted by the laser. The laser pulses for a fraction of a second, just long enough to vaporize the pigment, disabling several follicles at a time to eliminate or significantly impede the hair re-growth. Hair grows in cycles, and in any given area on the body you may have various hairs all at different phases of the cycle. With laser hair removal, only the hair follicles that are in the active growth phase will be most affected.

After the laser hair removal treatment, the remaining hair may be patchy, since some hairs are more resilient than others. The results from a laser hair removal treatment may vary from one individual to another, based on factors such as hormonal hair growth patterns, hair type, color of hair, ethnic background and the specific area being treated.

Is Laser Hair Removal permanent? Even with the state-of-the-art technology available today, lasers cannot remove the hair follicle entirely. What they can do is disable the hair follicle, often permanently. Laser Hair Removal impairs the growth of your hair over time, so that it re-grows slower, finer, and less visible. The FDA has approved the Candela Gentlelase and GentleYAG for permanent hair reduction, not permanent hair removal. There is NO Laser or other light based device which will permanently remove all hair.

How many treatments does it take to remove unwanted hair? The number of treatments needed depends upon factors such as hair color, skin color, and coarseness of hair. Typically, clients require approximately four or five treatments, as the process is only effective on hair during the early growth cycle. About 20-25% of your hair at any given time is in this cycle. Multiple treatments are necessary, usually spaced four to eight weeks apart, depending on the areas being treated.

What should I do to prepare for my Laser Hair Removal treatment? The area must be shaved before the treatment. Any patients treating their skin with medications such as (but not limited to) Accutane, Retin-A, Hydroquinone, Tazorac Cream, Active Cleansing Gel, Differin Gel, or Alpha Hydroxy products should consult with Doctor LaMond or their staff before beginning any Laser Hair Removal treatment. There may be other medications (not related to the skin) that may also affect the effectiveness of the treatments and will be discussed with your hair removal specialist at the time of your consultation. Patients may not be pregnant, and should avoid sun exposure (before or even after the treatment). 

Is Laser Hair Removal safe? The lasers that we use at out clinic are non-invasive and are designed to be gentle enough to treat a woman's sensitive skin, and effective enough for a man's beard or back hair. Each has an active cooling system to gently treat hair while protecting the appearance of the surrounding skin. A small percentage of patients may be at risk of hyper-pigmentation (increased pigmentation) or hypo-pigmentation (decreased pigmentation). These conditions are temporary and will go away over time. At the time of your consultation your laser specialist will cover these risks in detail and will determine whether your skin type might be at risk for these conditions.

 

How long does a Laser Hair Removal Treatment session take? A session for Laser Hair Removal may last from a few minutes to forty minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated.

How does Laser Hair Removal differ from other hair removal techniques? Laser Hair Removal is more enduring than temporary treatments such as waxing, shaving, tweezing and depilatories. For long-term hair removal, electrolysis is popular and effective but can be painful and slow. In electrolysis, an electric current passes through a needle to destroy the hair root’s ability to grow. It is not unusual for Electrolysis to take months or even years of regular visits- even for small areas. Risks involved with electrolysis include electrical shock, infection, and pitting or scarring. Laser Hair Removal on the other hand offers faster, more comfortable and more predictable results. Best of all, Laser hair removal has been clinically-tested to be safe and more gentle on the skin.

Is Laser Hair Removal painful? Laser treatments for hair removal have been described by some people as feeling like the snap of a rubber band. Most patients tolerate the procedure well. But because some areas of the body are more sensitive than others, topical anesthesia is always available for use at our facility.

What can I expect after a Laser Hair Removal treatment? Immediate after-effects, if any, are minor. They may include redness and swelling, which disappear in a short time. Most people return to normal activity right away. Hair grows in cycles and the laser affects hair when it is in its early-growth phase. The laser will disable follicles that are actively producing hair at the time of treatment. (At any time, some hair follicles are dormant.) Repeat sessions will treat these follicles when they enter the growth phase.

Does the laser treatment also help with ingrown hairs?

Yes! Laser hair removal is the perfect solution for folliculitis, also known as ingrown hair. This condition is not only irritating, but also painful. Ingrown hairs are often the cause of unsightly red bumps that develop on the surface of the skin. For men, ingrown hairs often occur in their beard area and neck. For women, the most troublesome spots are often the bikini area and the legs. Because laser hair removal targets hair at the follicle, it eliminates the problem of ingrown hair at its root.

What kind of lasers do you use for hair removal treatments?

ResultSPA uses Alexandrite and Nd:YAG lasers to perform laser hair removal. Not IPL or Intense Pulse Light, due to risks skin pigmentation problems and less effective treatments.  

I see a number of spas and clinics advertising hair removal. How do I know which location is right for me?

Laser hair removal is extremely popular because of its speed and efficacy, although some of the efficacy is dependent upon the skill and experience of the operator, as well as the selection and availability of different technologies. While many spas or clinics offer laser hair removal, most use a single light based device for all types of hair color and skin tone. At ResultSPA, we are the largest cosmetic laser center in Western North Carolina. We are a national training center and offer individual attention from an experienced, caring, professional staff. When you select ResultSPA you can be assured of better results in fewer visits.

Click here to for a Laser Hair Removal information sheet. Call 828.693.9199 today to schedule your complimentary consultation.