Laser Hair Removal
The Gentle Laser method uses laser light to safely and
effectively remove unwanted hair from any body area.
Question: Is the Gentle Laser safe for my skin?
Answer: FDA approved, this medical laser can safely disable
hair follicles for silky smooth skin. It is also fast, comfortable
and affordable. The Gentle Laser is the elegant medical solution
to unwanted hair.
Questions and Answers about Hair Removal
Q: What forms of therapy are available
for removal of unwanted hair?
A: 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.
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 between three and six treatments
are sufficient.
Q: Are all hair removal lasers
the same?
A: Several early hair removal lasers had variable results.
The most advanced systems now in use are the Diode and Alexandrite
lasers. These are more simple, effective, comfortable than
the early lasers. The GentleLaser is an excellent Alexandrite
hair removal laser. It has dynamic skin cooling which protects
the skin and makes the procedure more comfortable.
Q: How does the Gentle Laser remove
hair?
A: The light emitted from the GentleLaser is absorbed
mainly by the melanin in the hair follicles. It is delivered
in a very short pulse (3/1000 second) which disables the
hair follicle without heating up the surrounding skin. The
laser light does not break or burn the skin.
Hair follicles respond best to laser treatment when in their
active growth phase. 50 to 85% of the hair follicles are
in the active phase at any one time. Some hair will grow
from remaining hair follicles several weeks after treatment.
This hair is usually finer, lighter and thinner after each
treatment. Treatments repeated at four to eight week intervals
give the best long-term results. Three to five treatments
are typically required. Some patients may require more.
Q: Is it safe? What are the potential
complications?
A: The Gentle Laser's Alexandrite laser is safe and effective.
Operators are licensed health care professionals well trained
in the proper and safe use of the laser.
Treatment of patients with naturally dark skin or tanned
skin can produce temporary irregular darkening or lightening
of the skin color. This usually goes away in three to six
weeks. Occasionally it can persist for up to three to six
months. Some patients may experience a temporary skin reaction
similar to sunburn (redness, puffiness, or peeling). A lightening
of the skin, could occasionally occur. The light from the
Gentle Laser does not cause skin cancer.
Patients who have ever had "cold sores"(herpes simplex)
are at risk for a flare-up of their infection if they undrergo
laser treatments near the lips. Taking anti-viral medication
for a few days after treatments on the face can prevent this.
Q: Does it hurt?
A: The laser emits only light. You may feel a snapping
sensation like a rubber band. There is no bleeding and no
open wound is created. The GentleLaser skin cooling system
can reduce any discomfort. For areas that are more sensitive,
an anesthetic cream can be used. Most patients find the treatment
sufficiently comfortable without this. No pain medication
is usually needed.
Q; Is it Permanent?
A: The Gentle Laser produces long -term improvement through
progressive hair reduction. But we cannot not guarantee permanence.
Lasers have been used for hair removal for over 12 years.
Once a satisfactory level of hair removal has been achieved,
the results seem to persist for years. Longer-term results
are unknown. Touch-up treatment might be required in the
future.
Q: What preparations are required?
A: You may call to schedule a consultation with us. Your
skin and hair type will be determined. Your medical history
will be reviewed for any history of skin problems, medications,
cold sores, etc. Laser hair removal will be explained fully
and all of your questions answered.
Some patients will need a "test spot" 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,
and no fee is required for this test.
For best results you should:
It is essential to avoid all forms of tanning for four
to six weeks prior to treatment Use SPF 15 sunscreen when
outdoors for 4-6 weeks before treatment. Cold sores should
be treated and healed before treatment. Darker skin types
may need to use a lightening cream for 2 to 3 weeks before
treatment.
Persons who have had problems with scarring or keloids in
the past, or problems with skin darkening from inflammation,
may not be good candidates for laser hair removal. Those
who have taken Accutane for acne should discontinue it for
six months before laser treatments.
Q: What happens after the treatment?
A: Within several minutes, the skin may become slightly
red and puffy, like mild sunburn. This goes away over several
hours to one day. The laser does not cut the skin in any
way. No bandages are required and most people return to normal
activity immediately.
Q: How much does the treatment
cost?
A: The cost of laser hair removal is dependent upon the
size and number of body areas to be treated. Since repeat
treatments are usually required, treatment plans are designed
with this in mind. The average patient may require five treatments.
Some patients may rarely require more. Laser hair removal
is not usually covered by medical insurance. Fees for laser
hair removal are substantially less than fees for electrolysis
when the whole course of treatment is considered.
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