Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a laser treatment that permanently reduces unwanted hair on the face and body.

Laser hair removal works by using a laser to deliver heat down into the hair follicle. The heat is then absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle which permanently damages the follicle when the follicle is in the active stage of the hair growth cycle known as the anagen phase. This not only delays future hair growth but can permanently inhibit future hair growth. 

Anyone with unwanted or excessive hair growth. We have multiple types of lasers to treat all skin types and most hair types safely and effectively. 

Our most common treatment areas include bikini line, legs, underarms, upper lip and chin for women and shoulders, ears and back for men. However, it is possible to treat unwanted hair in nearly any area with the exception of the eyelid and over areas that have a tattoo.

This treatment can take as little as 5 minutes or sometimes up to an hour depending on how large the treatment area is and also by how many treatment areas are treated in one session. 

Laser hair removal works by destroying the hair follicle in the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. Approximately 15-20% of your hairs are in the anagen phase at any given time. Most patients will need a series of treatments for best results, noticing a 15-20% reduction with each session. We generally recommend a series of 6 treatments, spacing treatments 4-6 weeks apart.

No, but laser hair removal can be easily combined with just about any other treatment such as IPL or Diamond Glow the same day.

Mild. Laser hair removal can cause some slight discomfort but is much less painful than other forms of hair removal such as waxing, electrolysis and threading. 

There is minimal to no downtime. You can experience some mild redness in the treatment area for about 15-20 minutes immediately after the treatment. You can also have some mild swelling around the hair follicle that is known as perifollicular edema, which is normal and will resolve shortly after your treatment. 

You will notice results after a single session of laser hair removal. The hair follicles that have been destructed will start to shed hairs after about a week. Most patients also report their hair growth is much slower after the treatment, so they are not having to shave as often, if at all.

For most patients the results of laser hair reduction are permanent. There are some exceptions to this for patients who are currently on certain types of HRT or have underlying conditions such as PCOS that can cause excessive hair growth.

  • You want to make sure you shave the area to be treated the day/night before your treatment with a clean, new razor. Avoid shaving immediately before your treatment as this can cause inflammation. If the hair is longer than about 2mm, the hair on the surface will absorb the laser energy instead of the follicle of the hair. Having long hair in the treatment area not only decreases the efficacy of the laser, it also increases your discomfort during the treatment and puts you at risk of having a burn.   
  • Do not wax or tweeze before or in-between treatments as this can also decrease the efficacy of your treatments. You can shave as often as you would like between treatments. 
  • You do not want to have an active tan or a spray tan prior to having laser hair removal treatments. 

You can use an ice pack or cold compresses for redness if you have very sensitive or reactive skin. Avoid hot showers and hot tubs immediately post treatment, as well as direct sun exposure without SPF or tanning beds immediately after your treatment. Generally speaking, most patients do not need to do any special post care with laser hair removal and can continue all their normal daily activities.

There are several things that make LHR unique at The Dermatology Clinic. Our expert laser technicians each have over 15 years of experience with laser hair removal, having performed thousands of treatments. Being under the direct supervision of board-certified dermatologists, our laser techs have a vast knowledge of not only skin, but hair as well. Having this knowledge allows our laser techs to do a thorough examination, and consultation to customize your laser treatment to your specific skin type and hair type, for the most effective treatment. 

  • Anyone with unwanted hair. 
  • Lasers work best on dark coarse hair. It will work on finer hair as long as the hair has some pigmentation to it. Finer hair generally requires more treatments that coarse hair but is still absolutely effective.   
  • This is a great permanent solution for patients that suffer with folliculitis, razor burn or ingrown hairs. 
  • This can also be a super helpful treatment for patients that suffer from hidradenitis suppurativa. 

Unfortunately, this treatment will not work on grey hairs or blonde fine peach fuzz as they do not contain any melanin (pigment) for the laser to target. 

Woman

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