Laser Hair Removal FAQs

What causes excess hair?
Hair grows in cycles and many factors influence its growth. Age, ethnicity, medications, hormone levels, time of the year, and even body site all influence the length, coarseness, and color of body hair. How much hair you see depends on how many hairs are in their active growth cycle and how long that cycle lasts. During any one time, 90% of the hairs on your head will be in the active growth phase, and only 10% will be in the resting phase. For scalp hair the growth period can be as long as 7 years, while the resting period is only 2 - 4 months. On the other hand, the hairs on your arms have an active growth cycle of only 1-3 months before they revert to a resting phase. And at any on time, only 70% of those hairs may be growing. That is why the hair on your scalp can grow much longer than the hairs on other parts of your body.

How is hair usually removed?
The simplest way to remove excess hair is by shaving; however the process is very transient , and requires a constant commitment to maintain a hair-free appearance. Shaving does not thicken or darken the hair. Plucking leaves a more cosmetically appealing result, but it is tedious, painful, and impractical, especially if there is a large area to be treated. It also causes thickening, darkening, and ingrown hairs. Waxing accomplishes the same thing as plucking, but this procedure can cover a larger area at one time. Results may last a month or more, but the process is painful and can often cause allergic reactions, ingrown hair, and inflammation of the hair follicles, and can cause formerly fine hair to grow back coarser. Until now, electrolysis has offered the only permanent form of hair removal. Only one hair at a time can be treated, making electrolysis a time consuming process. It is accomplished by inserting a filament into each hair follicle and applying an electric current. Using a variety of techniques, electrolysis can be used successfully to eliminate hair permanently. How quickly success occurs, depends on many factors including the skill of the electrologist and the equipment used.

Is it permanent?
The Epilaser was the first laser system to produce a permanent reduction in hair growth and has been approved by the FDA for this indication in appropriate candidates (i.e. light skin with dark hair). The Gentlelase, Epilight, and long-pulsed YAG work in a similar fashion, and also have FDA clearance for permanency. Most people achieve permanent reduction, but this does not mean that all hair is destroyed. There is not only less hair after treatment, but the hair that re-grows tends to be lighter and finer.

What is the advantage of using a laser?
Lasers are precise instruments that can be adjusted to the exact parameters that will disable only the hair follicle and leave your surrounding skin untouched. Since the laser uses only light to remove the hair, it does not cause the irritation that other hair removal methods may create. They are especially suited for treating large areas rapidly.

Is it safe?
The Epilaser was developed from years of research by physicians at the Massachusetts General Hospital's Wellman Laboratories, and is based on several years of research and extensive clinical trials in the U.S. and Canada that have demonstrated that the system is safe and effective for hair removal. The laser parameters were carefully defined by studying the anatomy of the hair follicle and precisely matching the laser light and pulse duration to the follicle size, depth, and location to safely and effectively remove the hair. All of our lasers have received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Canadian Health Protection Branch. (HPB)

How long will it take?
Each laser pulse treats approximately a half-inch to three-quarter inch area, which could contain more than 10-20 hairs. The amount of time needed depends on the size of the area to be treated. The lip area and bikini area, for example, would only take a few minutes, while the legs take up to an hour or longer.

Does it hurt?
Some patients describe the laser's pulse like a mild electric shock, while others describe a slight tingling sensation. The vast majority of people have no problems at all with the procedure. Some areas of the body are more sensitive than others, so you may elect to use topical anesthesia (EMLA) in order to decrease the sensation even more.

What happens to after the treatment?
Within several minutes of the treatment, the treated area will be come slightly red and puffy. This reaction subsides, and within a few hours the area returns to normal. Since the laser does not burn or cut the skin in any way, no bandages are necessary, and you can return to your normal activities immediately. A test area is first given to determine which laser and which parameters are to be used.

How many treatments will I require?
The laser works by disabling hairs that are in their active growth cycle at the time of treatment. Since other hairs will enter their growth cycles at different times, additional treatments will be necessary to disable all of the follicles in a given area. Recent studies have shown that from 3 to 8 treatments are needed to destroy the majority of hair in any given area, but patients are often happy with results after fewer treatments, as their hair tends to become thinner and lighter with even two treatments. We will work with you to develop the treatment program that best fulfils your hair removal needs.