| Can all hair be treated? |
The laser can safely treat all hair that is in the active growing phase, and which contains melanin. Dark, thick hair responds best to treatment, though the laser installed at LaseRx is unique because it can also treat light and fine hair very well. Normally, dark skin also makes the results of laser hair removal less than optimal. However, the laser installed at LaseRx has a unique wavelength, pulse properties and skin cooling systems to treat even dark skin types equally well. |
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| How long does the treatment take? |
A large number of hair are targeted in one flash of light. A facial treatment takes around 10 minutes whereas a back or both legs may take 20 minutes. |
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| Does it hurt? |
No anaesthetics are normally required and most people describe the sensation as similar to that of pinpricks on the skin. However if you are particularly sensitive, you may request an anaesthetic. The unique wavelength and skin cooling system of the laser installed at the LaseRx institute reduces the amount of pain dramatically. |
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| Are special precautions needed before and after treatment? |
The laser light is completely safe, so no special precautions are needed. Yet, it is important not to remove hair by epilating, waxing, plucking or threading 4 weeks before treatment to ensure that many hair follicles are in the active cycle and thus can be destroyed by the light. (You may use chemical depilatories or shave.) Since tanning takes place by accumulation of pigment (melanin) in the skin, it is also important to avoid tanning before and during the treatment sessions. Otherwise the skin will also absorb the heat, which makes the treatment less effective.
Generally, no post-treatment is necessary but people with very sensitive skin may benefit from using a soothing cream for a few days. It is also recommended to limit sun exposure and to use a sunscreen for a few weeks following the treatment. |
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| How many sittings are needed? |
Hair growth is cyclical as hair follicles go through resting and growing phases. Only follicles in the growth phase contain hair and are destroyed by the light. Resting hair follicles need to enter the growth phase before they can be destroyed by the laser treatment. It maybe, therefore, necessary to repeat the treatment at 1-2 month intervals until all hair follicles have been through the active phase. The length and timing of the growth cycles are affected by numerous factors such as body site, hair density and thickness, ethnic origin, hormonal status and age. The sittings depend on your hormonal metabolism. Some people are happy even with one or two sittings whereas others may require 4-6 sittings, or even more. |
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