When we use a laser to eliminate hair follicles, we are directing intense light energy into the follicles. This energy is so intense that it destroys the hair follicles. It is important to note that not all hair follicles will be destroyed in one laser treatment session.

Hair follicles are not all destroyed in one session because they cycle through active and resting growth phases. Certain hair follicles in the most active growth phase make them particularly susceptible to the damaging effects of the laser.

For most people laser treatment is able to eliminate about 20% of the hair follicles with each treatment session*. This means that if you complete one treatment, you should see a reduction in the hair follicles growing in the treated area.

Most people wish to significantly reduce, or completely eliminate, unwanted hair follicles. Therefore, most clients will need to complete several treatment sessions with the laser. For most individuals, it will take 4 to 6 treatments to achieve the best results. Some individuals can require more treatments.

The heat energy can be felt by the client as something similar to a sting, somewhat like a rubber band snapping on the skin. Although, most of our clients feel little to zero discomfort during treatments. As always, we will maintain your comfort in mind and customize a safe and objective approach to attain your goals.

It is important to understand the hair growth cycle to understand how Laser Hair Removal works. Hair grows in three phases—Anagen, Catagen and Telogen. Lasers can only damage the follicles of hairs growing in the early stage of the Anagen phase. While you may see many (hundreds, thousands) of hairs growing in an area –whether it be the legs, face, underarm or back—only a percentage of those hairs are currently in the Anagen phase of growth.

As the laser is applied to the area for the treatment, all the hairs will be treated. However, it is only those in the anagen phase that are susceptible to the damage the laser can provide. Hairs growing in other phases may be damaged to some degree, producing a finer or even more sluggish growth.

It is for this reason that a series of treatments should be utilized for those wishing to have a more thorough removal of hair in a treatment area. By spacing the treatments 4-6 or more weeks apart, several “batches” of hairs will ultimately be caught in the critical Anagen phase when the treatment is performed.

As the series of treatments remove the unwanted hair, a natural additional and desirable, side effect will be an elimination of ingrown hair, or pseudo-folliculitis barbae. This is a very common skin condition which is often seen in the beard and the groin (or pubis) area. Because the hair is coarse and often grows in a swirl or curly fashion, the hairs have a tendency to curl back into the skin before (or even after) the outermost edge of the hair shaft breaks through the surface of skin. This results in inflammation, redness or purplish discoloration, and thick pimply-looking growths on the skin.

Laser Hair Removal removes the hairs so that they cannot continue to become ingrown. Get rid of the hair, and you get rid of all the inflammation that goes with it. It can also get rid of another unwanted side effect of unwanted hair, pimples and other blemishes, which occur from constantly touching the fingers to the face in an effort to feel for or remove stubble brings bacteria and additional oils to the face—which can potentially increase the incidence of pimples and blemishes.

Typically, during the actual treatment, you may experience a slightly uncomfortable stinging or snapping sensation where the laser is being applied. Each of these sensations lasts for only a fraction of a second. Your skin will become pink or even reddish. This looks like many very tiny mosquito bites, and will subside within 20 minutes to 2 hours, but can last up to a day or two.

Any hairs missed during shaving prior to treatment will become burnt, ashen or even gummy and will eventually break apart and be shed by your skin. You may also be able to notice the hairs just below the surface of the skin as they work their way out. Some people have described this appearance as “peppery” as if tiny black flakes of pepper were flecked on the skin. This is completely normal and will diminish in a few days but can take several weeks. Your body will shed this material on its own.

*Area must be clean-shaven for treatment

The area should be free of lotions, make-up, deodorant and other applications before arriving at Pro Touch Esthetics. Do not wax, tweeze, bleach or use depilatories for 4 weeks prior to treatment. Avoid glycolic acid and Retin-A for 10 days prior to treatment (in treatment area only). Do not use tetracyclines, Zithromax or St. John's Wort within 2 weeks prior to treatment. No Accutane for 6 months prior to treatment.

What Should I Expect Post Treatment?

Your skin may appear pink for up to 24 hours after your laser hair removal treatment. A slight stinging or itchy sensation may be felt for a few hours. Do not expose the treated area to the sun for prolonged periods for 2 weeks post-treatment. Apply SPF 30 sunblock to treated areas that may be exposed to the sun for 4 weeks after treatment. Avoid irritating skin preparations on the treated area for at least 48 hours. Hairs will fall out and/or dissipate on their own within 14 days. V Follow-up visits should be scheduled at least 4-6 weeks apart.