Laser Hair Removal
Lasers remove hair by destroying the blood supply to the hair follicle. When the procedure is performed correctly, all of the hair follicles with a blood supply will be destroyed during the treatment. The reason hair removal requires multiple treatments is because the hair grows in cycles. You have much more hair lying dormant under the skin than is actually growing at any given time. The hairs typically change cycles about every 6 weeks. Therefore treatments must be performed about 6 weeks apart. This can vary slightly depending on the area of the body. Average treatments needed for most people are 6 but many people experience needing anywhere between 8-12 depending on the hair growth and area. It is very important to adhere closely to your laser schedule. Failure to not follow your schedule will result in more treatments than normal
Patients scheduled for hair removal should avoid plucking, electrolysis or hair waxing for six weeks prior to treatment. Before you arrive for each hair removal treatment, there are a few simple instructions that must be followed to make your treatment as effective and safe as possible. First, you must avoid the sun for 2 weeks with the GentleYAG. Recent sun exposure or artificial tanning bed exposure can excite the melanin in the skin can adversely affect treatment effectiveness. You should also avoid spray-on tans for 7 days prior to treatment. Next, the treatment area should be absolutely clean of any deodorants, lotions, makeup, sun block, or any other chemicals or skincare products. These can block the transmission of light and limit the amount of heat that enters the skin.Last, make a note of any medications that you are currently taking.
Your laser hair removal professional needs this information to make sure that any medications you are taking do not cause photosensitivity. Let your technician know each time you have a treatment if you have taken any new medications or received any sun exposure. Also, you will need to shave the area to be treated prior to your laser hair removal procedure.
Procedure
We will use the GentleYAg’s handpiece to touch the skin and deliver the laser light. A cooling cryogen spray will cool the skin just before each laser pulse.
Most patients experience little discomfort at the treatment site because of the Dynamic Cooling Device system present on the Candela laser. The pulse will feel like a rubber band snapping on the skin. The sensation is only felt during the pulse of the laser beam and usually doesn’t linger on after the treatment. Most clients find the procedure bearable and not very painful.
The procedure can take as little as a few minutes for small areas, up to 30 minutes for large
Post-Treatment Care
After laser treatment, prevent sun exposure by applying sunblock (SPF 30 or above). Avoid the gym and any steaming hot showers for at least 48 hours. In the first few days after treatment, don’t scrub or rinse the treated areas with abrasive skin cleansers. The hair will appear to grow after the treatment. It is actually not growing, it is shedding. In about 10 to 14 days the hair will loosen up and fall out of the follicle.
Reminder Considerations for your next appointment:
Please shave the night before or the day of prior to your appointment. Avoid using moisturizers on the day of treatment. If you are having your underarms treated, please try to refrain from using underarm deodorant. Ladies: If you are treating your bikini area, please review your calendar to ensure you will not be menstruating at the time of your next appointment. Also, if you become pregnant, please call us so we may postpone your treatments until 2 months after the arrival of your child.
Side Effects
Although risks and complications from laser hair removal are uncommon, there may be short-term side effects associated with treatment. Short-term side effects may include reddening or slight swelling of the skin, which may last up for an hour up to a few days. An acne-like reaction can occur in some people, but is uncommon and will go away by itself in a few days without any scarring or lasting side effects.
Suitability
The Candela GentleYAG laser can be used safely on almost any skin type including dark skin and tanned skin. Treatment may be performed on men and women of all ages, including children over the age of 12.
