Unwanted body or facial hair affects millions of men and women. Additionally, a growing number of men experience embarrassment from excessive hair. A variety of methods such as waxing, plucking, shaving,Electrolysis and depilatory creams have been used to remove unwanted body hair. However these methods provide only very temporary relief.

The energy of the laser beam is absorbed by the melanin pigment in the hair. This causes permanent damage to the hair and surrounding structures. Hair follicles with high melanin content absorb more energy, and are thus more easily destroyed. That is why this technology is more effective in dark, coarse hair.

How Laser Hair Removal Works:

The LightSheer™ Diode Laser amp; IPL™ Multilux systems use a long duration of pulses to remove hair and impair hair regrowth. Usually, a topical cooling gel is applied. Each pulse of the laser affects 75-100 of hair follicles at the fraction of a second. When a Diode laser pulse is delivered to the hair, you may feel a mild sting or pinch similar to the snap of a rubber band. Most of the hair dissolves immediately, and the rest will fall out within a week or two.

According to several clinical studies performed using this machine, Each treatment permanently removes 20 to 30 percent of the hair. These results have a simple explanation. Hair has 3 stages of growth: An active phase (Anagen), a resting phase (Telogen) and an intermediate phase (Catagen). Hair in the active phase of growth contains more melanin, and as a result, is more susceptible to destruction by the laser energy. At any one time, 20 to 30% of the hair is in this growth state. This is why 3 to 4 treatments are usually needed. The remaining hair is usually thinner and lighter than before.

It is important to understand that results are also dependent on the skill of the operator of the machine, the type of skin you have, and the color of your hair.

How many treatments are required?
This varies depending upon your hair color and location on the body. Normally 3-8 treatments may be needed, (An average of 5-6) which each session usually lasting 10 - 60 minutes.

What does the treatment include?
Depending on the amount of hair and area treated, the procedure varies from patient to patient. Generally, the treatment will include: Safety eyewear to protect the patient's eyes during the procedure from the laser light.

A small hand piece will be used to deliver the laser light. Most experience little discomfort at the treatment site. The sensation and the degree of discomfort vary with each person. In some cases, topical anesthesia is an option.

Your laser specialist will discuss this before laser treatment. Depending on the size or number of areas treated, the time will vary in length form minutes to one hour. Patients can return to work or resume their normal activities immediately following treatment. The area may become slightly red and may last from a few minutes to several days depending on the area and skin sensitivity.

What precautions should be taken before and after treatment?
You MUST stop bleaching, plucking or waxing hair for several weeks for laser to be optimally effective. If you have had a history of herpes, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be prescribed.

If you are tan or have a darker skin type, a bleaching cream should be started 4-6 weeks before treatment for our melanin absorption lasers. However, we have a variety of lasers to safely treat all skin types and skin colors including dark & tanned skin. You should discuss your desired results and the improvements you expect to achieve.

Together you and the laser specialist can decide if your expectations will be met and which treatment is the best option for you.