How does the
laser work?
Can laser treatment cause tissue damage/irritation?
How long does
a treatment last?
How many treatments will I need to achieve satisfactory
hair removal?
How often
will I need treatments?
Who
responds best to laser treatment?
What precautions do I need to observe when I am treated?
Does it hurt?
What if I have light blonde and/or grey hairs?
What
happens during the procedure?
Resource Links
Hair Growth Cycles
How does the
laser work?
The GentleLASE laser emits
a beam of light into the skin, which is absorbed by
melanin granules in the hair follicle. This light
absorption creates thermal energy, or heat, which kills
the hair. The dead hair then falls out within 5-15 days
after treatment.
Can laser treatment cause tissue damage/irritation?
Laser hair removal is a
non-invasive treatment. The laser beam is targeting
color in the hair follicle which is the dark brown or
black pigment called melanin. The GentleLASE laser has a
Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD TM) that protects the upper
layers of your skin with a cooling burst of cryogen.
This technology offers optimal treatment with minimal
side effects. Your electrologist may perform a spot test
to determine how well your hair and skin will respond to
treatments.
How long
does a treatment last?
A treatment could take as
little as a few minutes for smaller areas like the upper
lip, chin, and underarms to as long as an hour+ for
larger areas like the back and legs.
How many treatments will I need to achieve
satisfactory hair removal?
Most clients will require,
on the average, 6 treatments. This is due to the
cycles in which hair grows. The treatments will only be
effective on actively growing hairs that are producing
melanin (dark brown or black pigment) because the laser
light targets only the hair follicles with pigment or
color. At any given time, you have many hair follicles
that are dormant or resting and have not entered the
growth phase. Several sessions will be necessary to
treat these hairs once they re-enter the growth phase (click
here for Hair Growth Cycles).
| 1 Year after
5 treatments |
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| Before |
After |
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| 9 months
after 6 treatments |
How
often will I need treatments?
This varies since each
individual's hair growth occurs at different rates. On
the average, treatments are usually spaced about 4-6
weeks for facial areas, 6-8 weeks for back and bikini
areas, and 10-12 weeks for legs.
Who
responds best to laser treatment?
Almost everyone is a
candidate for laser hair removal but people with fair
skin and dark hair respond best to laser treatments.
There are several factors that affect treatments and
these will be discussed by your electrologist at the
initial consultation.
What precautions do I need to observe when I am
treated?
Avoid sun exposure
including tanning beds for 4 weeks before and after
treatments. Apply sun block (SPF 30 or above) when going
outdoors. Do not wax, bleach, tweeze/pluck, use
depilatory creams, or any type of epilation method
including electrolysis on the areas to be treated for 4
weeks prior to treatment. However, you may continue to
shave between treatments, as necessary.
Does it hurt?
You may feel a slight
discomfort with the laser pulse which is sometimes
described as the snapping of a rubber band on the skin.
After the treatment, you will experience some mild
redness and tenderness in the treated area, similar to a
sunburn.
What if I have light blonde and/or grey hairs?
Light blonde and/or grey
hairs are removed permanently with electrolysis. Your
electrologist will explain these treatments at your
initial consultation.
What
happens during the procedure?
You will be given a pair of protective eye gear to be
used during treatment. The area to be treated should be
clean, and closely trimmed of excess hair. The laser
will then be used to deliver a series of pulses. The
laser has a specific cooling system as a part of the
treatment to protect your skin from burning.
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to top^
HAIR GROWTH CYCLES
| Anagen Phase -
This active phase of hair growth generally lasts
for several months producing melanin (dark brown
or black pigment) in the hair bulb of the
follicle. Catagen Phase - During
this brief phase, the hair bulb regresses and
begins to shrink. There is no melanin being
produced during this phase.
Telogen Phase - At the end of
this resting phase, hair is released or falls
from the shriveled follicles and the anagen
phase begins again.
|
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| Anagen |
Catagen |
Telogen |
|
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