How Many Treatments Will I Need

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Q. How many treatments will I need?

A. Everyone will need at least three treatments to six treatments for good results, because while all hair is temporarily disabled during each treatment, not all hair is destroyed.  A series of treatments is necessary to allow results to accumulate.  Most people do not need to continue beyond ten treatments. 

People with hormonal imbalances or people who have waxed or plucked a lot may need more than average.  After the treatment regimen is completed, hair may grow very sparsely.  If this occurs, touch up hair laser, or electrolysis may be a good idea for the remaining hair.

Q. Will Laser Hair Removal work for me?

A. New laser technologies have made it possible for people with many skin color and hair color combinations to enjoy the benefits of laser hair removal. These newer lasers have been designed to ignore the melanin in the skin and to safely treat patients of all skin types. With that said, however, the most successful results are those patients with dark hair and light skin. Light skinned, dark haired patients will have a more significant result than patients with blond or red hair or patients with darker skin and will need fewer treatments for a more permanent hair reduction.

Those who are not ideal candidates are those with red, white, gray, or very light blond hair, those who have used photosensitive medications within the past 6 months, those who are tanned or very dark (except when using a ND laser), and those who are pregnant.

It is important to remember that even if you are not the "ideal candidate" you may still enjoy some benefits of laser hair removal. Consult with your local laser hair removal clinic and your medical practitioner to discuss your hair/skin color combination and what type of laser will work for you.

Q. How does hair removal by laser work?

A. This page provides laser hair removal information and facts. It explains the method of permanent removal and how it destroys hair permanently. The information in this guide is based on various reports and articles that have been written on the subject.

Laser hair removal works by sending a beam of laser light to a group of hair follicles with enough power to disable or destroy the root, but not enough power to harm the surrounding skin.  This process is called selective photothermolysis.  It is selective because it targets only the hair and not the skin.  Photo means light and thermolysis means destroying with heat. The surrounding skin is usually cooled.  Some methods include a gel, a spray, or a cooling tip.

The Laser beam finds the hair follicles by targeting the substance that gives skin and hair dark color - melanin.  Therefore, the ideal candidate for laser has dark hair and light skin.  The laser will not work on people with red, white, gray or true blond hair.  The hot laser light will also be attracted to the melanin in the skin, so people with suntans, or dark skin types are at more of a risk for discoloration of pigment and other side effects.

Hair Removal by Laser is NOT ELECTROLYSIS. Electrolysis is a method of removing individual hairs one-at-a-time by directing an electric current into each hair follicle. The laser hair removal is the high tech/modern day method of destroying massive amounts of hair follicles with a simple trigger pull.

Laser only destroys hair in its active growth phase, the anagen phase.  This phase lasts several years, and up to 85% of our hair is in that phase at any given time.  The good thing is that during this phase, the hair has an abundance of melanin and the hair follicle is easily targeted.

1. Do not get laser when you have a suntan or sunburn
2. If you have a darker skin tone, you should begin a bleaching regimen at least two weeks before treatment.
3. It is not necessary to shave, but it will quicken treatment time.  A shadow or stubble should be visible.
4. Stop bleaching or plucking for a couple of weeks before treatment.
5. If you get cold sores or have genital herpes, start taking Zovirax, or similar medicine before treatment

Post Treatment

1. 1. After the treatment, you may experience redness or bumps. This is normal. You may use a cold compress if needed.
2. Makeup may be used.  Moisturizer is good to use.
3. Use sun block of SPF 25 or more for a couple of weeks after your treatment.
4. The only other acceptable hair removal method during your treatment regimen is shaving if needed. 
5. Hair will shed up to three weeks after treatment.  It may seem like new hair growth, but it is just the hair coming out.  You can help the hairs out by using a loofah or washcloth.