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Frequently Asked Laser Hair Removal Questions

Here you will find answer to a number of the most frequently asked questions regarding laser hair removal. If you have specific questions that have not already been addressed here, feel free to contact us.

1 - How does laser hair removal work?

The laser hair removal system emits a beam of pulsating light that passes through your skin down to the follicle of the hair. The energy of this precise beam of light is absorbed by the pigment that gives your hair shaft its color. The energy of the laser is absorbed by the pigment and then it is transferred to the hair follicle surrounding it.

2 - Is laser hair removal safe?

Lasers have been in use for more than a decade for age spots, smoothing fine wrinkles and lines on the face, and treating leg and facial veins as well as a variety of other cosmetic procedures. Laser hair removal is safe and utilizes state of the art technology.

3 - What areas of the body can be treated using laser hair removal?

The laser hair removal process can be performed on nearly every area of the body, both for men and for women. This includes small areas of the body like the upper lip, the bikini area, the underarms, the neck and the face, and large areas including the legs, the back, the arms and the chest.

4 - What makes laser hair removal the preferred treatment?

Most people are outstanding candidates for the laser hair removal process. Traditional techniques for hair removal like waxing, plucking and shaving only provide relief on a temporary basis. Laser hair removal is a non invasive and safe procedure that removes unwanted body hair without doing any damage to the structures of the skin and the delicate pores. While larger areas can take longer, small areas like the face and bikini area can be completed in twenty minutes or less.

5 - Is laser hair removal going to work for me?

The best results from laser hair removal have been achieved on hair that is darker in color and coarser in texture, but there are other factors that may play a part in determining the success of the treatment. The best way to determine whether or not you will be a good candidate for laser hair surgery is to let a practitioner give you an evaluation. The process tends to vary significantly from patient to patient.

The treatment begins by trimming the hair above the skin away, then applying a cool gel over the area of the treatment. Next, the hand piece for the laser will be applied to the skin, delivering the light pulses that will disable the unwanted hair for removal.

6 - What is included in the laser hair removal treatment process?

Depending on how much hair needs to be removed and what area needs to be treated, the procedure is going to vary greatly from one patient to the next. Generally the treatment is going to begin with safety eyewear that will protect your eyes during the laser portion of the procedure. Next a small hand piece will be used as a means for delivering the laser light. The sensations and the degree of mild discomfort that you will feel will vary from person to person, but topical anesthesia is a possibility if you are afraid about discomfort.

Depending on the areas being treated, the time that the procedure will take is going to vary as well, taking as few as several minutes or as long as several hours. Patients may opt to resume their normal activities right after a treatment, though the area may become slightly red and may be sensitive for a short while.

7 - Will my activities be restricted in any way after my treatment?

You should be able to return to work or your normal activities almost immediately after your procedure have been completed. Since redness more than likely will occur, it may be preferable for you to plan accordingly ahead of time. This redness, coupled with sensitivity of the affected area can last a few minutes or as many as several days depending on how sensitive your skin is.

8 - How many treatments am I going to need?

Your hair will grow in cycles, and the laser is only going to be effective on hair that is active in its growing cycle. Only certain hairs will be in this cycle at any one time, which means that you need to undergo a number of consistent treatments during appropriate intervals of time in order to achieve the greatest possible results. The number of treatments that you will require is going to depend on the color of your hair, your skin, the coarseness of your hair, and the density of hair in the treated area, and this means that multiple treatments may be necessary.

9 - How does laser hair removal compare to other methods for removing hair?

There are a number of other types of hair removal, including shaving, waxing, hair removal creams and even plucking the hairs. These are all temporary methods of hair removal however, and they must be repeated frequently. Laser hair removal on the other hand offers much longer lasting results for your hair removal purposes.

10 - Will laser hair removal be covered by my insurance policy?

Unfortunately, most insurance companies do not offer reimbursement of any kind for cosmetic procedures including but not limited to laser hair removal.