How does it work?

Laser light is used to transmit light energy along pigment in the hair, known as melanin. This energy damages and disables the hair follicle on reaching the hair root, stopping hair from growing back. Melanin exists in both hair and skin, but the aim of laser hair removal is to target only the melanin in the hair. The scientific name for this principle is selective photothermolysis (SPTL). Each person’s needs tend to differ slightly, depending on factors such as age, skin type, amount of hair, hair colour and hair texture.

What areas can I treat? 

Laser hair removal is used for any area of the skin which has unwanted hair, including the face, neck, chest, back, bikini area, underarms, arms and legs. The hair to be lasered must be pigmented, either brown or black. 

Are there any side effects?

Possible side effects include hypo-pigmentation (lightening of the skin in the treated area) and hyper-pigmentation (darker skin in the treated area) and redness. Although scarring has been reported , however, this is unusual.

Is it permanent?

To achieve a satisfactory level of clearance, 3-5  treatments are typically required. These effects are permanent, although a touch up may be required from time to time.

Is it painful?

When the laser is applied to the skin, patients feel some stinging, similar in sensation to the snapping of a small rubber band against the skin. We therefore have our patients apply an anesthetic cream to the area being treated for 30 minutes prior to the procedure. This ensures patient comfort during the treatment.

How many treatments will I need?

This will depend on your individual skin and hair properties. Roughly 20-30% of your hair is growing at any one time, and that is the amount you can permanently remove in a single treatment. You should expect to have 4-8 treatments depending on what you deem to be a satisfactory reduction. 

What is the Laser Hair Removal treatment process?

Pre-Treatment

It is extremely important that you do not have a tan on the area to be treated. Your skin needs to have the least amount of pigment possible so that the laser can effectively target the pigment in your hair and not in your skin. Hypo-pigmentation (white spots) can occur when you have laser treatments on recently tanned skin. You should avoid the sun and any pigmented creams for 4-6 weeks before and after your treatment. If the patient has a history of cold sores in the area to be treated, a prescription for an anti-viral medication will be given to you by the physician to be started the day before the laser procedure and taken for a few days afterwards. Patients who have had Accutane for acne may not have laser for at least six months (and possibly one year) after stopping Accutane. 

Razor shave the area to be treated before your procedure. Do not wax or pluck your hair in any way for 4-6 weeks prior to your treatment, as you will need to have active hair follicles for the laser to use as a target to find the bulb. Avoid applying any creams to the area before your treatment, or they can be removed beforehand. We need your skin to be as smooth and clean as possible.

If you are just having a consultation, you should not be perfectly smooth, as it would help to see some hair.

The Treatment

After the patient has had the topical anesthetic cream on for 30 minutes (if desired), a cool gel is applied to the area being treated. Dark glasses are worn to protect the patient’s eyes from the light. With the patient in a comfortable, relaxed position, the LaserSheer handpiece is applied to the skin.

Post Treatment

You should experience some minor redness (erythema) and swelling (edema) on the treated areas during your treatment. Depending on your skin and hair conditions, the redness can last up to 2-3 days and may feel like a sunburn. Patients generally experience the most redness and swelling on larger areas where the hair is more dense and coarse. On smaller areas where the hair is finer, such as a woman's face, the redness and swelling should subside by the end of the treatment, and/or after applying Aloe Vera gel. Cool compresses applied to the treated area also help to reduce redness, swelling and discomfort. 

Use an SPF 30+ zinc oxide or titanium dioxide sunblock whenever possible before, during, and after the course of your treatments. Avoid sun exposure to reduce the chance of hyperpigmentation.

Within 1-3 weeks you should start to see shedding of dead hair from your skin. Some of these dead hairs may remain under the skin and appear stuck (pepperspots). You can exfoliate to remove these, but do not use your fingers or tweezers to pick at them. They will eventually work themselves out. You can shave, but not wax or pluck, for 4-6 weeks after your treatment.