How many laser treatments does it take to clear an area?
4-8 treatments
Should I expect to be hair free in the treated area after the series of treatments?
No, most clients experience an 80-90% reduction in the amount of hair in a given area after the series of treatments, but should not expect to be hair free.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
Hair removal is considered in terms of permanent “reduction” rather than permanent “removal”, since removal denotes 100% and that is not realistic.
Why does hair appear in the treated area, and will look like it’s growing for 1-3 weeks post treatment?
The laser does not remove the hair at the time of treatment, but the hair will fall out, or be “shed” 1-3 weeks after treatment.
Why does the laser not work well on blond, gray or red hair?
The laser energy interacts with pigment or “melanin” in the hair root, and these hairs colors either don’t have much or any melanin in them and do not absorb light.
Why must clients not use any form of depilation for 6 weeks prior to laser hair removal treatment?
The hair root has to be present for the laser to work, so if the client has removed it with waxing, plucking, or electrolysis, then there is nothing for the laser energy to interact with.
Why must tanning be avoided for 6 weeks before and after treatment?
Melanin formation in the skin as a response to sun exposure, decreases the effectiveness of the treatment, as well as it makes it more likely that the client will experience hyper- pigmentation, hypopigmentation or blistering from the treatment.
Why must the area to be treated be shaved 2 days before treatment?
Surface hair, if present will be singed off, increasing the risk of a burn, and will be taking up energy that does not get to the root of the hair follicle.
Why must protective eyewear be worn by everyone in the treatment room?
The hair laser removal machine is a high powered laser system, and it can cause eye injury if proper eyewear is not worn while the laser is used.
Can any area of the body be treated?
Yes, with the exception of eyelashes, and shaping of eyebrows, due to the proximity of the eyes and the danger of eye injury with the laser.
Does the treatment hurt?
There is a stinging sensation felt during treatment, however most clients who have waxed or had electrolysis report that it feels less painful than those types of treatments. Most clients have no residual pain within 20-30 min. after treatment.
What are possible side effects of laser hair removal?
Side effects can include blistering, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation or scarring. Risks of these side effects are minimized if treatment instructions are closely followed by the client.
What will the treated area look like after treatment?
The skin in the treated area will have some erythema or redness, and the hair follicles will “welt” up, looking like goose bumps on the skin for approximately 1-2 hours, however this effect can last for up to a couple of days in some clients.
How long will it be before I notice re-growth in the treated area?
Depending on the individual, the treatment perimeters, and area of the body involved, it may be anywhere from 1-2 months before any re-growth is observed.
What is a “test area”, and why it is performed?
“Test areas” are small areas of the skin that are treated at various laser energy levels prior to treatment of large surface areas on darker skin types. “Test areas” are done on darker skin types to determine the level of energy that is best for that individual. Light skin types, generally don’t have to have test areas done, but that is determined by the practitioner.
