Is Laser Hair Removal for me?
Our laser does hair removal efficiently on all
skin types.
The most important thing to consider is the hair color. Because Laser
targets the melanin that hair contains, red and very blond hair are more
difficult to treat. In most instances, it is impossible to treat them
effectively. In these particular cases, if your hair is lightly pigmented,
a laser treatment may take more sessions. White (gray) hair can't be seen
by the laser beam, so it's not treatable.
Real blonds who watch their hair turn a bit darker towards the end of
the winter may ask the laser specialist if they could be candidates for
laser hair removal.
The best candidates are those with the best conditions: thick and dark
hairs (including dark blond).
Sun tan is a contraindication to laser hair removal treatment.
If you do like to tan, the best season to get laser hair removal treatment
is September through May.
If you do not like to tan, then you can get laser treatment any time of
the year.
Other essential things to consider include some physical conditions and
medications, elements that will be discussed with the laser specialist
in our free consultation.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?
Yes, after an analysis of your condition as a laser
candidate.
Laser is not related to radiation, such as X-rays or UV rays. The laser
beam is made of light particles (photons) emitted in just one wavelength.
This wavelength targets the melanin contained in the hair bulb.
How expensive is a laser treatment?
Laser treatment prices may seem high, but if you
compare to other alternatives (lifelong), laser hair removal is economically
a sound investment. In addition, time spent on each treatment alternative
speaks in favor of laser, especially if we add up the time over 20-30
years. The cost of laser treatments depends on the type of treatment (hair
removal, skin rejuvenation or spider vein reduction) and the area of the
body being treated. We believe in affordable "no surprises"
pricing, so you'll find a detailed price list on our services page (click
here).
How many sessions is
it going to take?
It depends on each person. Some get good results with 4 or 5 sessions.
Many others will often require up to 9 sessions and sometimes up to 12.
Since all hairs are not in the same phase at any given moment, several
sessions are necessary to achieve the goal: complete and widespread follicle
destruction. The primary objective of a laser hair removal program is
to destroy all hairs in the anagen phase. That phase is also called the
"growth phase". In that phase the hair matrix and bulb are present
(the "root"). In all other phases the matrix and bulb are not
part of the hair.
Once a program has ended and over the years, some hair could grow on a
treated area. This is due to essentially 1 to 3 reasons: hormone imbalance,
pregnancy, menopause, and/or simply aging. These hairs would come from
the activation of sleeping follicles, not having expressed hairs until
then. The good news is we don't have that many sleeping follicles. Consequently,
we might need a maintenance session once every 12-24 months if it's really
necessary.
People who present hormone troubles or people who have used wax or tweezers
for a long time tend to require a few more sessions than previously thought.
After a program has ended, if some thin and lightly pigmented hairs remain,
here and there, it would be preferable to use electrolysis to get rid
of them, if needed.
Is it fast?
The biggest advantage of a laser is its treatment speed associated with
long lasting results. Consequently, laser is particularly recommended
for large areas such as legs, back, chest, bikini…. Especially compared
to electrolysis, which is long, tedious and painful.
A simple comparison: a back will take 45 minutes with a high-end laser,
and 120 hours with electrolysis. Furthermore, if some hair comes back
on a laser treated area, it will be quite thin and slightly colored.
Average session durations (examples) :
Man's back: 45 minutes
Upper Lip: 3 minutes
Chin: 4-6 minutes
Armpits: 5-10 minutes
Full legs : 1 hour (1/2 legs: ankle to knee = 35 minutes)
Bikini : 10-20 minutes
A standard combination: Full legs + Bikini + Armpits = 1h30
How should I prepare for
laser hair removal with a laser?
Shave the hair to be removed, but do not pluck or wax the area. It's important
to leave the actively growing hair roots in the follicle so the laser
can destroy it.
For any laser treatment, come in with clean skin in the area to be treated
(no make-up or creams) and remember to discuss any medications you've
taken in the last days with the laser specialist. Do not spend time in
the sun or in a tanning bed for a week before or after a laser treatment,
to prevent hyper-pigmentation in the area that is being treated by the
laser.
What should I expect from my initial free
consultation?
This initial visit is key, the laser specialist will explain the entire
process and describe the procedure to you. Your skin type will be established
and a test will even be performed on a small area. This test will be used
to identify the laser settings that are best for you. Your overall health
status will be evaluated; medications you are taking will be recorded,
such as antibiotics or hormones. At the end of this initial free visit
you'll be given a consent form including the estimated number of sessions
and cost per session of your desired treatment.
The Consent Form contains very important information, going extensively
over the key points covered during your initial free consultation. It
includes details regarding risks and side effects, complications and medications
to avoid during your laser program.
A global price, for your entire treatment is rarely done since we don't
know in advance the exact number of sessions you will need. In our center,
starting at the 7th session, your cost per session will be reduced. Please
see our price list.
Why do your clients need to have a consultation
before treatment? Can't I just make an appointment and have you zap my
spider veins?
There are two important reasons to evaluate clients
before laser treatments and professional laser centers will require this
step. Safety is the most important reason for an evaluation. Since some
prescription and over the counter medications should not be combined with
laser treatments, clients are asked about their health backgrounds and
any medications they take. Pregnancy, photo-sensitivity and some skin
care treatments are reasons to postpone treatments.
Then from the effectiveness standpoint, certain hair colors and skin tones
may be resistant to laser hair removal. This no-cost consultation also
gives clients an opportunity to learn about available services, ask questions
and to try the laser if they wish to.
I've heard that laser treatments
hurt. What should I expect pain-wise?
Depending on your threshold for pain, you may experience slight or moderate
stinging sensation during laser treatment. Our laser sprays a cooling
mist as it is used, so the upper layers of the skin are cooled and clients
are more comfortable.
We also use aloe and cool, moist cloths to soothe skin. Some clients have
redness like a sunburn sensation after their treatment and this goes away
within a few hours.
What happens to my skin when
it's treated with a laser?
Our Candela Gentle YAG laser emits a long-pulse high energy light beam
that passes through the upper layers of skin without damaging pores or
the skin's structure. When the laser is calibrated for hair removal it
destroys hair follicles of hairs that are in a growth phase. Spider veins,
stretch marks and acne scars are treated with different laser calibrations
and disappear over time. Clients, who wish to rejuvenate their skin by
gently stimulating the underlying collagen, will see results within a
few months after treatment. One nice side effect seen by most patients,
who have laser hair removal treatments, is an improvement in skin tone
and smoothness.
My boyfriend has curly hair and shaving is
very painful for him. Can you remove his beard with a laser?
Many men and women with curly hair find that ingrown hairs are a result
of shaving. Laser hair removal treatments eliminate the need to shave,
and this painful condition. We remove beards and unwanted hair, and our
clients often find that laser hair removal also helps to smooth their
skin.
I've waxed successfully for
about 7 years, why would I want to consider laser hair removal?
Some people like the results they experience from waxing, even if they're
temporary. If you wish to have permanent hair removal, laser treatments
can accomplish that for you. To weigh the advantages and costs of waxing
vs. laser, look at the time and expense of waxing for a one-month period
and multiply by 84 (7 years X 12 waxes a year). How many hours and dollars
will you save in the next 7 years if you have laser hair removal done
now?
Another laser center told
me that I could zap all of the hair on my legs in just four sessions.
Why does Light Touch say that nine sessions are average?
Treatment results are different for every client. It's possible that four
sessions will do the job, but that's not the typical client experience.
We share realistic information and our experience indicates that most
people need 9 treatments, and sometimes a few more.
I had 4 laser treatments
few years ago, and didn't work, the hair came back. Why?
Successful laser hair removal requires more than 4 sessions. To remove
hair permanently, you'll need to finish the process by scheduling additional
sessions.
Can I give laser treatments to someone I know
who would like to be treated?
We offer gift certificates for any occasion and in any amount. Brides-to-be,
new mothers, wives, husbands, daughters, body-builders, and so many others
have enjoyed receiving gift certificates.