Laser Hair Removal FAQ’s

Most areas require 3-6 treatments. However, the number of treatments required for optimal long-term benefits depends on multiple factors – hair thickness, the area treated and your hair’s growth cycle. Interestingly, not all hairs are actively growing at the same time and actually go through three distinct phases: growth, regression, and resting. Laser hair removal treatments work by disabling the hair that is principally in the active growth phase at the time of treatment. Since other hairs will enter this active growth phase at different times, additional treatments will be necessary to disable all of the hair follicles in a given area.

Conventional treatments include shaving, plucking, waxing and depilatory creams. These methods provide temporary fixes that are often inconvenient, messy and irritating for the skin. Electrolysis can have good results, but is time-consuming, painful and is useful only in removing hair in small areas. Laser technologies are rapidly changing hair removal treatment, providing gentle, non-invasive, long-lasting solutions to unwanted hair on any body area.

For Laser Hair Removal we offer:
The Palomar Vectus® Diode Laser:
The Cutera ProWave® 770:
The Cutera CoolGlide® YAG Laser

Different skin types require different approaches for laser hair removal. Unlike smaller clinics, The Laser Center of Marin is able to invest in multiple technologies for hair removal. Our clinic has four state-of-the-art lasers which allow us to address unwanted hair for everyone, from the lightest to the darkest complexions. We utilize Diode, nd:Yag and IPL technologies to ensure your laser treatments are appropriately matched for your specific skin type.

Yes. Scientific studies show that the use of targeted, light-based energy actually damages or destroys hair follicles at the cellular level. A reduction in the number of regrowing hairs is usually achieved following each treatment. The Laser Center of Marin also uses a process called the TLC Concept. The TLC Concept will ensure we are targeting active hairs at the right time of the hair growth cycle. This method coupled with the effective lasers we use leads to success levels exceeding 95%.

The ideal candidate for most hair removal lasers has dark hair and light skin. Darker hairs absorb more of the laser light, and lighter skin allows more transmission of the laser light into the hair follicle. Although dark or tanned skin may run a higher risk of pigmentation changes following the procedure, our breadth of lasers allow us to treat most skin types.

This laser targets the pigment located in the hair follicle and shaft. The light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and this energy is converted to heat which results in damage to the hair follicle. This damage causes delayed re-growth of the hair, and in most cases destruction of many of the hair follicles. Unlike electrolysis, which treats one hair follicle at a time, the laser reaches and treats hundreds of follicles at a time.

No.

Most people tolerate the treatments very well. Discomfort is often described as a slight tingling or a pinch similar to the snap of a rubber band. Topical anesthesia can be used when treating particularly sensitive areas of the body.

The Laser Center treatment process is as smooth as the results we achieve. Treatment sessions are quick and require minimal personal care for the duration of the treatment process.

Before Treatment:

• Do NOT wax, tweeze, bleach or have electrolysis for at least 4 weeks.
• Do NOT use self-tanning products or spray tan within 2 weeks prior to treatment.
• Do NOT use depilatories up to 1 week prior to a treatment.
• Do NOT use Retin-A (tretinoin) or glycolic products (on the treatment area) for 1 week prior to treatment.
• A skin-lightening agent (4% Hydroquinonne) may be prescribed for pre-treatment if the patient has a tan, a darker skin type or hyperpigmentation in the area to be treated.

Day of Treatment:

• At home, shave unwanted hair as closely as possible without damaging the skin surface. (If you require assistance with shaving prior to your treatment, a preparation fee will apply.)
• As a convenience for our patients, we have a prescription-strength numbing cream available for. General guidelines for application will be discussed with you.
• Ibuprofen or Extra Strength Tylenol may also be taken prior to treatment

After Treatment:

• Transient burning sensation with redness and swelling is expected. This is the body’s natural inflammatory response to the trauma to the hair follicle. The swelling should resolve within about one hour. The redness may last from a few minutes up to a few days. Cold packs can be applied for itching and irritation. Hydrocortisone cream can be applied until the redness has resolved.
• Do not pluck or scrub the treated area until all redness and or irritation has resolved.
• Do not use Retin A or glycolic acid for 7 days after treatment.
• Hot water, salt water and chlorine can irritate the treated area. Avoid swimming pools or hot tubs for 72 hours.
• Treated areas should be protected from direct exposure to sunlight. This helps to prevent skin discoloration.
• Sunscreen with SPF 30 should be used at all times, as well as wearing a hat if facial areas are treated.
• Hair may start to fall out of the follicles within the 2-3 weeks.
• No tanning booth until the entire course of treatment is completed. Spray tans or self-tanning lotions may be used 7 days after treatment but should be discontinued two weeks prior to your next treatment.
• Treatment should be repeated every four weeks for the face and every 6-8 weeks for areas below the neck. If there is excessive time in between treatments, you may not achieve optimal results.

Complications are usually temporary, and can be minimized by following the pre-op and post-op instructions. Limiting sun exposure before and after each treatment will minimize the risk of complications.

• Hyperpigmentation/Hypopigmentation in the area treated may occur. You will be written a prescription for a bleaching agent if hyperpigmentation occurs after treatment or your skin type has the potential to hyperpigment. Hyperpigmentation may also be treated with Limelight IPL treatments.
• Blistering and/or graying of the skin, which may require a few weeks to heal. If blisters appear, keep area lubricated with an ointment such as Polysporin, Neosporin or Aquaphor. Call our office immediately for further instruction.
• Crusting may occur over freckles due to the laser absorption in the melanin. It may also occur at the site of a blister and may result in temporary pigment changes.
• Infection is possible if blistering is not treated properly.
• Scarring is a rare complication but can possibly happen due to infection or blistering.
• Folliculitis or ingrown hairs. This tends to decrease with continued treatments.
• Eye damage: Protective eyewear (shields) will be provided for you to wear during treatment. Failure to wear eye shields during the entire treatment may cause severe and permanent eye damage

The following are contraindicated for Laser Hair Removal treatments:

• Patients who are pregnant
• Patients with a history of vitiligo (even if not present in the area to be treated)
• Patients with a history of seizure disorder
• Use of Accutane within the preceding six months