Laser Hair Removal

With current technology, laser hair removal is very successful and permanent. In some areas such as the chin, patients may generate new hairs due to genetics or hormones and require periodic treatment. A few patients do not have hair loss despite our best efforts.

Lasers can selectively target a pigmented hair while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged. Each dime sized pulse of laser energy takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time. Compared with electrolysis, laser hair removal is more precise and much faster. 

Depending on the settings used, up to a third of the treated hairs are permanently removed with each session (although many can fall out temporarily). Six weeks later the surviving hair follicles gradually start growing hair again. The remaining hairs tend to be lighter in color and smaller in size. Patients are treated every two months until satisfied (usually when 70-80 percent hair loss is achieved). Patients tend to be satisfied after 4 to 8 sessions but often require occasional maintenance treatment.

1. Avoid having a tan by using sun protection, e.g. sunblock, clothing.
2. Avoid self tanners.
3. Do not remove the root of the hair (no plucking, waxing or threading) for one month before treatment. It is not necessary to let the hair become long. You can shave, trim, bleach or use a depilatory. We recommend shaving the day of treatment.

After treatment, the area feels and looks much like a sunburn that typically lasts 1-2 days. Gentle skin care and moisturizing sunblock are recommended. Treated hairs often fall out over a one month period and gentle removal of hairs is not harmful. Temporary side effects such as blistering or discoloration are rare. Permanent side effects such as scarring or color changes are extremely rare in our practice.

The treatment is relatively quick depending on the amount of hair to be treated. The laser can treat an area approximately the size of a quarter every second. Small areas such as the upper lip can be treated in less than a minute, while large areas (back, legs) may need up to an hour.

The procedure is usually tolerated very well with mild sensation of heat, tingling or stinging.