Frequently Asked Questions about Laser Hair Removal

A: The treatment is performed using the latest laser technology to remove hair with a minimum of pain, inconvenience and side effects.

The laser emits a powerful beam of invisible light which passes harmlessly through the skin, but is absorbed by the hair follicle. The hair follicle absorbs the light energy from the laser and is transformed into heat. The blood supply to the hair follicle is severed or disabled, effecting its growth ability forever.

The key to the effectiveness of the laser is the principle of Selective Photothermolysis. By properly adjusting the pulsewidth (the amount of time the laser is on) the laser light is able to pass - unaffected -- through the thin layer of skin pigment and reach the deep hair follicle. At the follicle level, the laser energy is absorbed and transformed into heat that disables the follicle. As a result, hair growth is impaired without affecting the surrounding tissue.

Q: How does it compare with electrolysis?

A: Electrolysis can be a tedious, painful process destroying each hair follicle one at a time. This can sometimes require treatment over years at regular intervals.

Lasers on the other hand can treat hundreds of hair follicles simultaneously so the process is much quicker.

Q: Is laser hair removal for anyone?

A: No. According to one authority, an absolute requirement is that the hair must be darker than the surrounding skin.

White skin with dark hair responds best. Persons with dark, coarse hair are the easiest to treat as dark hair contains melanin, a dark pigment which attracts the laser light so more laser energy is absorbed. Fewer sessions are needed.

Light colored hair is more difficult to treat and blonde and red hair are very difficult to treat requiring multiple sessions with varied results.

Q: Why is skin color so crucial?

A: Persons with light skin are the easiest to treat, requiring less sessions as the results are faster.

Persons with dark skin or sun tanned skin take longer to get results because melanin, the dark pigment in hair, is also present in skin. Melanin absorbs some of the laser light.

There is the danger of dark skin being burned in these instances so a laser beam with a lower energy level is used. For this reason also a higher level of expertise is required on the part of the clinic.

Q: How long does the treatment take?

A: This of course varies from person to person with size of the area, skin, hair coloring and coarseness of hair all affecting the time.

Here are some estimates which can give an approximate guide.

Actual laser times:

Back 1-3 hours
Shoulders 20 - 30 minutes
Underarms 5 minutes
Bikini Line 10 minutes
Upper lip less than 1 minute
Chin 3 minutes
Legs 1-3 hours

4 to 6 treatments are necessary, and hair that has been waxed or removed with tweezers could need from 5 to 8 treatments.

Each laser pulse treats about a one and one-half inch square area, which can contain 210 or more hairs at once.

Q: Why are repeated sessions necessary?

A: Hair goes through 3 different cycles, the Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen stages. Anagen refers to the growth stage of hair, laser treatment works best on hair that is in this stage because they have a blood supply that can be severed by the laser. The Catagen, and Telogen stages do not have a blood supply and are considered dormant.

While one laser treatment may have long lasting effects, repeated treatments are necessary for best results to catch all the hairs as they enter the Anagen stage.

Q: Is it safe?

A: Yes. The laser uses a wavelength of light which passes through the skin. Unlike x-rays, there is no residual left in the body. Laser hair removal technology was developed in conjunction with some of the world's leading authorities on the use of lasers for medical applications. The lasers we use are Approved by the FDA.

Skin may appear pink or red after treatment. This disappears - in some cases after 20 or so minutes, in other cases after a few hours, or in rare cases, a few days. Use of cold packs will speed up the recovery time.

Q: Is it painful?

A: This varies from person to person depending on their sensitivity. Most patients describe the treatment as a series of rubber band snaps to the skin. Some have described the sensation to a slight sting on the skin, or tingling sensation. Others say it feels like a pinch on the skin. The majority of patients tolerate this sensation without anesthetics. However, for patient comfort, topical anesthetics or oral sedatives may be used.

Within about thirty minutes of treatment, the area may become pink or red, and may feel like a mild sunburn for several minutes to a few hours.

Because the laser does not damage the skin, no bandages are necessary.

Q: When can I expect to see results?

A: After the first treatment! Hair will gradually fall out starting in about 2 - 3 weeks and continue over the next 6 weeks. Repeated treatments are necessary to catch all the hairs in their various stages of growth.

Q: Can results be guaranteed with laser hair removal?

A: No. Due to the variables involved it is impossible to predict exactly what the results will be for any individual. Many reputable clinics avoid giving guarantees for this reason.

However, depending upon your body’s response to the treatments, the laser hair removal systems can offer partial permanent hair reduction. This means that most of the follicles will not regrow any hair while some may regrow them lighter and thinner like the hair on a baby's cheek. It all depends upon the laser treatment that is selected. Come in for the free evaluation and our professionals will decide which treatment is right for you. We can treat all skin colors and we have had great success!

Q: Why would I want to have Laser Hair Removal?

A: Laser hair removal is less painful than waxing or electrolysis. All patients treated experience temporary hair loss while 90% have permanent hair reduction. Those patients who enjoy the best results are dark-haired. The pigment in the hair follicles absorbs the highly concentrated light of the laser beam, which damages the follicles and interrupts the growth cycle of the hair. Because of the type of laser we use, the skin stays cool during this process—only the hair follicles absorb the laser beam. Laser hair removal can be used on the legs, underarms, face, bikini line, back, chest, and shoulders, around the ear between the eyebrows and many other places. Several treatments are required for best results.

Q: What kind of anesthesia is used during a LASER procedure?

A: Anesthetic creams can be used if the areas being treated are very sensitive, we prefer to use a specially made Gel that contains Xylocaine. The gel is placed on the areas to be treated, then covered with Saran Wrap for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. If the area to be treated is on the face, an oil based numbing ointment is used without the Saran Wrap.

Q: Will insurance pay for LASER surgery?

A: Insurance will not cover most of these procedures, as they are considered completely cosmetic in nature. However, for some existing conditions, some insurances do cover the cost.

Q: What will I experience after LASER Hair Removal?

A: You may experience some redness that lasts the rest of the day, but even that is uncommon. Patients return to normal activities immediately.

Q: How expensive are Laser Hair Removal Treatments?

A: Lasers and training are very expensive, but the treatments don't have to be. Arkansas Laser Solutions treatments are very low when compared to other like services in the area.

Price depends on the size of the area needing treatment. A consumer guide on laser treatment gives $500 per treatment session as a reasonable national average with 4 - 6 sessions often necessary. But our prices are a lot less expensive than that.

The whole area on the back or the legs can cost considerably more while smaller areas such as the upper lip can cost less. Individual consultations are necessary to establish accurate pricing for areas such as legs, chest, back, and arms. Most of our prices can easily be found on this web site under "Prices".

Q: Are these treatments only for women?

A: There are many areas on a man when hair is unwelcome. Come into our office, and we will show you before and after photographs of areas such as: necks, backs, ears between the eye brows, etc.

Q: What are the traditional methods for hair removal?

A: Until now, electrolysis has provided the only long term method for the elimination of unwanted hair. During electrolysis, a needle is inserted into each hair follicle. Removing one hair at a time, this process is tedious. It can take months or years of treatments to achieve a satisfactory result. The effectiveness is also dependent on the skill of the Electrologist.

Less permanent methods include shaving, plucking, chemicals, and waxing.

Shaving is the most common method of hair removal. Virtually everyone owns a razor, but shaving only lasts a few days and requires a constant commitment to maintain a hair-free appearance.

Plucking leads to a more attractive and longer lasting result than shaving, but is quite painful. Except for small areas, plucking is tedious and impractical.

Waxing is similar to plucking, but it can treat large areas. Like plucking, the process of waxing can also be painful; and can also cause allergic reactions and/or inflammation of the hair follicle.

Q: What makes Laser Hair Removal different?

A: Laser Hair Removal has been designed to selectively treat only the hair follicle while leaving surrounding tissue unaffected. The laser uses pulses of light to remove the hair, so there is no irritation to the skin, as with other removal methods.

Also, depending upon your body’s response to the treatments, the laser hair removal systems can offer partial permanent hair reduction. This means that most of the follicles will not regrow any hair while some may regrow them lighter and thinner like the hair on a baby's cheek. It all depends upon the laser treatment that is selected.

Q: How many treatments will be necessary?

A: The laser works by disabling hair follicles that are actively producing hair at the time of treatment. At any time, some hair follicles are dormant. Since the follicles are producing hair at different times, several visits may be necessary for total treatment. Your laser operator will work with you to develop the optimal treatment strategy.

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