Who is a candidate?

Candidates for Laser Hair Removal are individuals with all skin types and hair color.

Patients who are pregnant or who have taken Accutane in the last three months cannot have Laser Hair Removal.  In addition, patients with pacemakers or defibrillators may not have treatments with some of our equipment which contains radiofrequency but may with others that are pure laser or light based therapy.  Also, patients who have recently waxed, plucked, or bleached should postpone treatments to maximize results.  You do not need to grow your hair out long before a treatment.  You may continue to shave before, during and after the treatments.

What is Laser Hair Removal like?

During a laser hair removal treatment, your provider will apply clear ultrasound gel to the area being treated.  The laser is then applied in “pulses” to the entire area.  The laser feels like a rubber-band snap or a momentary hot spot.  Cool air is blown on the area during the treatment to minimize discomfort and prevent side effects.  Depending on the size of the area being treated, each treatment takes between 10 to 60 minutes.  Subsequent treatments are performed at 4 to 8 week intervals, depending on the area being treated.

How does Laser Hair Removal work ?

Laser are machines that produce a beam of light that has a specific biological target.  Some lasers target blood vessels and are absorbed by these.  The target that absorbs the light converts it to heat and is modified or removed.  Previously we used intense pulsed light to effectively treat unwanted hair.  However, because intense pulsed light relies solely on the pigment of the hair follicle as its target, we were unable to treat light hair.  Also, we had to be very cautious when treating darker skin tones because the targeted pigment in the hair follicles is the same as the pigment in the epidermis.  Currently we are using the Aurora™, the Comet™, the CoolGlide® Vantage, and the PPx™ and can now effectively treat all hair color and all skin types.  The Aurora™ combines intense pulsed light with radiofrequency.  Radiofrequency does not target pigment and therefore is effective in treating lighter hair.  The Comet™ combines diode laser with radiofrequency.  The CoolGlide® Vantage is a 1064nm laser.  This wavelength of laser does not interact with the pigment in the epidermis and therefore is FDA approved to treat all skin types and tanned skin.  The PPx™ uses photopneumatic therapy and combines vacuum and intense pulsed light.  The vacuum brings the hair follicle colser to the surface of the skin.

What type of equipment is used?

We currently use four lasers for laser hair removal treatments:  The Aurora™ (intense pulsed light with radiofrequency) and the Comet™ (diode laser with radiofrequency), manufactured by Syneron™, the CoolGlide® Vantage, 1064 Nd: YAG laser, manufactured by Cutera® and the PPx™ manufactured by Aesthera™.  Your provider will determine which laser will work best for you.

What desired results can be expected?

Specific areas of hair growth are easier to remove than others.  Underarms, bikini lines, and legs are easier to treat, whereas more treatments are needed to remove facial hair, due to the effect of hormones.  The average number of treatments ranges from three to ten visits.  This is because at any given time, only a fraction of hairs are in the growing phase (anagen cycle).  Only anagen hairs can be effectively removed with laser because the resting phase (telogen) hairs do not mature pigment at their follicle bulb which is the target for the light.  Thus, one treatment will sometimes only get 30% of the hairs because only those hairs have enough pigment to be destroyed.  The FDA has approved our lasers for permanent hair reduction.  Data has shown that about 30-90% of the hair does not grow back after the end of the treatment cycle.  Of course, this assumes the appropriate treatment and the correct number of treatments for each individual, all of which can be variable.  We cannot guarantee 100% permanent hair removal, as people do need occasional maintenance or touch-up treatments.  White hairs and light hairs are the most difficult to remove.  These may require more treatments and more maintenance, and more modest results should be expected.

Are there any negatives?

There is some discomfort during the procedure likened to the snapping of a warm rubber band.  Most people find this to be mild and tolerable.  We use cold air to minimize any discomfort and also offer a topical anesthetic if desired.

Immediately after a treatment there may be some redness and/or mild swelling, although usually this dissipates before you leave the office or within a couple of hours.  Makeup can be applied immediately after a treatment. 

Uncommonly, a skin wound such as superficial blisters and scabs can occur, which heal within 2 days to 14 days.  Use of antibiotic ointment on a regular basis usually results in uneventful healing.  There is a <0.5% possibility of a skin wound leaving behind a permanent scar.  It is also rare for an infection to occur since the skin is usually not broken.

Another risk is the possibility of hypo (too little) or hyper (too much) pigmentation that is very uncommon.  Usually treatable with prescription creams, chemical peels or further laser treatments, there is a <1% possibility that the pigmentation could be permanent.  There is an increased risk of this with tanned or naturally dark skin.  You may need extra treatments than those required by others if your skin is dark in order for us to be more conservative (gentler with initial and subsequent treatments) due to this increased risk.  It is also important that you let any tanning lotions fade and do not seek artificial tanning treatments for 3-4 weeks prior to the procedure.

What happens after Laser Hair Removal?

Immediately following a treatment, the area may be pink for a few hours.  You may apply make-up after your treatment.  It usually takes 2-4 weeks for the hair to fall out following a treatment.  During this time you may clip or shave the hair.  Individuals undergoing laser hair removal treatments should not pluck or wax before or in-between treatments as this will reduce the effectiveness of the treatments.

Is there another way to get the same effect?

Alternatives to Laser Hair Removal include shaving, plucking, waxing, depilatories, and electrolysis.

How is this different than other procedures?

Laser Hair Removal is much faster than electrolysis.  At each Laser Hair Removal treatment, all the hair is treated.  Whereas with electrolysis, only small sections are treated each time.  Because of this, many more sessions are required with electrolysis than with laser treatment.

Laser Hair Removal also eliminates ingrown hairs which are typical after waxing and plucking and can help people suffering from folliculitis.

Can this be combined with other treatments?

Laser Hair Removal may be combined with any other cosmetic service, and most of the time on the same day.

In addition we carry Vaniqa cream (through prescription) in our skin care boutique, skinfo®.  Vaniqa cream inhibits the proteins that cause hair growth.  Studies have shown that Laser Hair Removal in combination with Vaniqa is the most effective hair removal method available.

What is the cost of Laser Hair Removal?

The fees for Laser Hair Removal are based on the areas being treated.  Please call Advanced Dermatology for a consultation and the Cosmetic Coordinator will develop a personalized treatment protocol with you.