Laser hair removal offers patients a safe, fast and permanent alternative for dealing with unwanted hair. Lasers work by emitting a specialized light that is passed through the skin and is absorbed by the hair's root. The laser used in hair removal targets the melanin (color) in the hair follicle, damaging the follicle and its ability to grow hair.
Laser hair removal is safe to be used on all body parts, including the face, back, underarms, bikini line, arms and legs --- almost anywhere there is unwanted hair.
We use the LightSheer TM laser, a diode laser, as it has a long track record of permanently removing hair. This was the first laser to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration for hair removal. The LightSheer TM is specifically designed for hair removal.
For many men and women, unwanted hair can be a nightmare. Getting rid of it can be painful. Until now the only options for removing unwanted hair were smelly hair removal creams, sharp razors, stinging wax or painful electrolysis needles. Our advanced approach to beautiful skin provides the ultimate solution. Now men and women alike will be pleased with the results made possible by the LightSheer TM.
Before and After Examples:
Why use LightSheer TM?
The LightSheer TM laser is specifically designed for hair removal.
We have chosen this laser because of the extensive clinical research
which demonstrated its effectiveness for permanent hair reduction.
Other laser hair removal systems that we have investigated cannot
make this claim.
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How does the LightSheer TM system remove hair?
This laser targets the pigment located in the hair follicle and shaft.
The light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and this energy
is converted to heat which results in damage to the hair follicle.
This damage causes delayed re-growth of the hair, and in most cases
permanent destruction of many of the hair follicles. Unlike electrolysis,
which kills one hair follicle at a time, the laser reaches and treats hundreds
of follicles at a time. A simple cooling tip comes in contact with the surface
of your skin before delivering the laser light.
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What does the permanent hair reduction process feel like?
The cooling tip has a mild anesthetic property, which allows tender areas to
be treated n a relatively painless fashion. You may feel a tingling, snapping
like a rubber band or stinging sensation during the treatment, but most people
tolerate the procedure well. Topical anesthetic is available to increase our
comfort, if you choose. The laser emits only light. Following your treatment,
you may experience a sunburn-type sensation in the treated area for several hours.
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How many treatments will I need?
The laser affects the hair follicles that are in the anagen phase, or active
growth phase. The hair follicles actually go through three distinct phases: grown,
regression and resting. The LightSheer TM works by disabling hair that is principally
in the active growth phases at the time of the treatment. Since other hairs will
enter this active growth phase at different times, additional treatments are necessary
to disable all hair follicles in a given area. Each treatment session will permanently
destroy approximately 15-20% of the hair follicles. Therefore, multiple sessions are
needed. On some parts of the body, the hair grows faster than others. The number of
sessions is also dependant on the age, skin type, amount of hair, hair color, hair texture
and hormonal balance; however, SATISFACTION is GUARANTEED.
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How long is each session?
This will depend on the amount of hair and the size of the area being treated.
Sessions can vary from a few minutes to more than an hour.
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Is laser hair removal permanent?
The LightSheer TM causes permanent hair reduction and delayed re-growth of the treated
hair follicles. A long-term clinical study was done to evaluate the LightSheer TM Diode
Laser for hair removal. Of 92 patients, all had temporary hair loss and 89% had
long-term hair loss. Also, re-growing hairs were shown to be thinner and lighter
than previously. Because the laser tends to treat hair follicles that are in an active
growth phase, more than one treatment will be required to disable hair follicles that
subsequently enter this growth phase. However, one treatment may result in a significant
enough improvement that it may be all you desire or require.
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What happens after treatment?
Within several minutes, the treated area may become slightly red and puffy.
This reaction usually subsides quickly and returns to normal within a day or so.
Depending on the area treated you should plan work or social engagements accordingly.
Around days 3-7 after treatment you may experience what seems to be re-growth of hair.
Actually, most of these hairs are being shed as result of your treatment and are not re-growing.
In-between treatments you should not wax or pluck your hairs but it is permissible to shave.
After your treatment, the area is cleansed and you can return to your normal activities immediately.
We do recommend that you use a specially formulated skin care product line after laser hair removal.
The use of sun screen is recommended on any treated areas exposed to the sun.
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Who is a good candidate for the LightSheer TM Laser?
The ideal candidate for most hair removal lasers has dark hair and light skin.
Darker hairs absorb more of the laser light, and the lighter skin allows more transmission
of the laser light into the hair follicle. Although dark or tanned skin may run a higher
risk of pigmentation changes following the procedure, the LightSheer TM’s unique longer wavelength
at 810 nm allows treatment of all but the darkest-skinned patients. No other hair removal
lasers have this property. It is important to have a consultation with us to determine
your skin and hair type. In addition your medical history will be reviewed for any history
of skin problems, medications, keloids or scarring, cold sores, etc. Laser hair removal
will be explained fully and all of your questions answered. Some patients will need a
“test patch” to determine the best laser settings for their skin type. A small area
will be treated at varying settings and rechecked up to one week later.
This may be done at the same time as your consultation.
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Is it safe?
The LightSheer TM system was developed from years of research at the Wellman Laboratories
of Photomedicine, one of the world’s leading medical laser research institutions.
The laser is pulsed, or “turned on,” for only a fraction of a second and the duration
of each pulse is just long enough to disable the hair follicles. A unique component
of the LightSheer TM system, the actively cooled sapphire handpiece, was designed to protect
the skin by actively cooling it before, during and after the laser light is transmitted.
It also actively draws off heat form the skin surface, which further protects the skin from injury.
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Can tanned skin be treated?
Ideally one should not have tanned (with or without the sun) within 6 weeks of the laser
treatment; however, mention to the doctor that you have been in the sun and are tanned so that
she can adjust the laser accordingly.
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Does the laser work the same on every color of hair?
Regretfully, no. The laser energy is absorbed by the pigment in the hair,
which then heats the follicle and destroys the cells responsible for re-growth.
White and blond hairs have little or no pigment and thus present a challenge to
successful laser hair removal, usually achieving just temporary hair loss.
The more pigment there is in the hair, the greater the likelihood of patient satisfaction.
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Can the laser be used when I get ingrown hairs?
Absolutely. Even after one treatment you will notice that most of your ingrown hairs
are terminated. This is an ideal treatment, for instance, for men who get ingrown hairs
and folliculitis after shaving especially in the neck, or collar, area.
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Are there complications?
The risk of complications is low; however, discuss all your concerns prior to the
treatment during your consultation with the doctor.
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Is laser hair removal expensive?
When considering various aesthetic options, you’ll find that laser hair removal might be a
reasonable option. Like other appearance-related investments, such as hair coloring and cuts,
teeth whitening, and chemical peels, the cost must be weighted relative to your expectations.
If you frequently have ingrown hairs after shaving, you may find laser hair removal to be almost
a necessity. If you frequently “tweeze,” “wax” or use electrolysis you may find over time that
laser hair removal is less painful and less expensive. Laser hair removal is usually not covered
by medical insurance. We accept credit cards and offer an easy to obtain, low interest loan for
aesthetic work.
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What forms of therapy are available for removal of unwanted hair?
Mechanical methods of hair removal provide only temporary results. These include shaving,
waxing, tweezing, and epilation. These methods remove the hair but leave the hair follicles
intact. The hair re-grows within one to four weeks in most cases. Shaving and tweezing can
cause folliculitis and ingrown hairs. Over time the cost can be high. Electrolysis is able
to provide long term hair removal using electricity. A needle is inserted into each individual
hair follicle then electricity is applied. This method is painful, time-consuming and expensive.
Electrolysis can sometimes cause folliculitis, infection or scarring. To be successful multiple
treatments are required. Typically once weekly for up to one year. Medical lasers are available
that can effectively treat the hair follicles using laser light. They can disable the follicles
so hair will not grow while avoiding damage to the surrounding skin. This method is more efficient,
rapid and safe. It is also more comfortable. Multiple treatments are usually needed: on average
about five treatments are needed.
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What areas are commonly treated?
With the exception of the region close to the eye, almost any area of the body with
excess hair can be treated with lasers. For women, facial areas are the most common,
followed by the bikini line, legs and axilla (underarms). For men, the neck, back, shoulders
and upper arms are the most popular areas.
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What if I need an anesthetic?
We offer a special formulation for skin local anesthetic that is best applied 30 to 60
minutes prior to treatment. We also offer prescription strength topical anesthetics for
those who need it. Most people do not need an anesthetic. The hand piece of the laser has
a cooling tip that when applied to the skin, cools the skin enough to reduce the sensation
of the laser.
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