Laser hair removal is the process of damaging the hair follicle at its base so hair no longer grows. Even though lasers have been around for a long time, the newest technology allows it's use to removal hair. These newer lasers use a long pulsed light which is calibrated to exactly match the laser light and duration of the pulse to the hair follicle. Utilizing the Fitzpatrick Skin Typing the correct laser type will be used for maximum results. A doctor will perform you treatments. They use a hand-held device which is passed over the area for hair removal. The pulsed laser light will target the melanin in the hair follicle and destroy it with its heat. Only hair in the growth cycle will be destroyed even thought the other hairs are affected. You may need multiple treatment session to get all the hair follicles as all your hair grows at different time intervals.

The best way to answer this is to have a consultation. They will interview you and give you a Fitzpatrick Skin Typing questionnaire. Once this is complete the technician or doctor will be able to give you a more definitive answer. Your skin type will fall into 1 of 6 categories. All 6 can be treated but some skin and hair types are more receptive to the treatments.

Lighter skin with dark coarse hair are the best candidates and have better results. The Diode laser are better suited to lighter skinned patients. The Nd:YAG laser, which is a longer pulsed laser, is best suited for darker skinned patients. This works better because the skin will not absorb as much of the light energy (heat). More of that energy will be directed at the dark pigment (melanin) of the hair follicle, thus destroying the growing hair.

Here at SkinOvations Skin and Laser Center, we have machines to treat all skin types. We have the LightSheer Duet as well as the Candela GentleYag.

The general consensus is that laser hair removal is permanent. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved laser hair removal as "permanent reduction". This is because it's not permanent in ALL cases and all skin types.

What does this mean?

It means that laser hair removal will not remove every single hair in the treated area. Some people will need touch-up sessions 1 or 2 times a year to stay hair free (or sometimes less). If any of the hairs come back they may be too fine for laser treatments to be effective. Generally speaking, Laser Hair Removal offers a MINIMUM reduction in hair of 85%.
Usually a series of treatments are needed for best results. This can range from 6-8 (but can sometimes be more or less) depending on the individual.
What can affect the length of treatments?
There are numerous reasons such as the area being treated, hair texture, and history of your hair removal attempts (shaving, waxing, depilatories...).

Laser hair removal is based on the principle of Selective Photothermolysis (SPTL). What is that? Let's break it down... "Selective"- means Targeted, "Photo"- means Light, "Thermo"- means Heat and "lysis"- means to Destroy... putting it all together... Generally this means that Selective Photothermolysis is the process of precisely targeting tissue or structure using a light at a specific wavelength which will be absorbed by the targeted tissue or structure. This absorbed light (energy) will heat the target and destroy it while not affecting the surrounding areas (skin in this case).
Lasers for hair removal are calibrated to target the dark pigment (melanin) of the hair follicle. When the laser is passed over the treatment area it is attacking the follicles melanin, super heating it so it gets destroyed. Since it is targeting the darkest area, it should not affect the surrounding skin. That is why lighter skin and darker hair patients have the best results.

You will want to shave the area to be treated 1-3 days before you see the technician. Some spas will offer to shave for you but there can be some irritation due to the razor selected. Do not have waxing, sugaring or any other method used which will remove the hair at the root 4 weeks prior to your laser hair removal treatment or during you hair removal treatment sessions.
The root is needed for the laser to target. The closer the shave the better the laser can focus its energy at the targeted hair follicle. This helps to eliminate laser energy being sent to parts of the hair above the surface of the skin. If you can't see where the hair was after shaving you may want to let it grow just a little bit before your treatment that way the technician can see where to pass the laser during the session.
After your treatment you will want to apply lotion or aloe vera to your skin that was treated for a few days afterward. This helps to soothe the skin where the treatment occurred. You should start to see shedding of hair between 2-4 weeks. As the hair is shed it might look like it's growing back but its just being pushed up through the skin to be shed. You can exfoliate or use a loofa to help in the shedding process. After the shedding period you might experience light black dots. Those are usually treated hairs that haven't come through the skin yet; they are called "Pepper spots". Exfoliating can help the process along.
Once the shedding has completed you should have a hair-free period. As the other hair start in their growth phase, you will see hair coming back in the treated area. This is normal as all hair grows at different times and can only be treated during the growth cycle. Your treatments will usually occur every 4-6 weeks. As you see hair coming back in and there is enough to justify a treatment make your appointment. This will continue until the laser can no longer be effective. This is usually due to the fact that the hair either is not there or is to fine for the laser to work. If shedding does not occur at all, you should contact your spa and/or technician to determine why. Just make sure you've waited at least 4 weeks as it can take longer for some people.

This is a relative question as all people have different pain thresholds. What most customers say is that it's like having a small rubber band snapped on the skin. If you are very sensitive and the pain is not tolerable, there are topical anesthetic creams that can be used. Speak with your technician or doctor and they can help with suggestions. Topical anesthetics should only be used on small areas like the upper lip, underarms and bikini area. If the anesthetic is used on larger areas there can be adverse effects or even death. Make sure you consult with your technician or doctor if you are not sure or not comfortable.

Like any medical procedure, there is a possibility for side effects or complication to occur. While we do all that we can to reduce or eliminate side effects, some are listed here:

Normal:
Redness can last up to 3 days, some people are fine post treatment and do not experience redness
Itching can occur during and after the treatments
Swelling around the hair follicle and can last up to 2-3 days
Slight pain and maybe tingling... feelings of numbness if a cold spray or anesthetic was used
Rare:
Scabs or crusting might form after the treatment... this is usually on in-grown hairs
Bruising
Tanned areas my experience Purpura (a purple coloring of the skin)
Infection
A temporary pigment change (hypo-pigmentation or hyper-pigmentation)
Usually these side effects rarely occur and are usually just temporary. If any of these last more than 3 days make sure you contact your Physician.

What are some possible causes for excessive hair growth? Can it affect my treatments?
Pregnancy
Reactions to medications and/or prescriptions one may be taking
The natural aging process one undergoes
Different heredity traits that may be passed on to an individual
Using waxing, creams, depilatories and tweezing excessively as a temporary solution
Imbalances in hormones or issues with glands
Diseases which cause an excessive growth of hair
There could be many reasons that a person experiences excessive hair growth and those reasons should be fully investigate with a medical professional before you schedule laser hair removal treatments. Due to the excessive growth, it may seem that your laser hair removal treatments are not very effective. That is why it's important to understand that your body may be producing excessive hair and thus actually growing hair abnormally where the laser treatment was successful. Once a condition is determined and controlled via medication or doctor recommended treatments, one can pursue a laser hair removal regiment.

To schedule an appointment please call (248) 299-8942.
Visit: www.lumenis.com for further information.