Smooth Move - Laser Hair Removal

Why is happinesslifetime.com laser removal better than shaving or waxing?

If you've ever had any part of your body waxed, you know all about repetitive expense, pain, ingrown hairs and living with unsightly, unwanted hair between appointments. Laser treatments remove this hair permanently, leaving skin smooth, without irritation or razor bumps. Instead of causing ingrown hairs, lasers destroy the follicles creating this troublesome condition.

So how does it work?

The pigmentation that exists in black and brown hair attracts the laser's light and causes it to convert to heat, which cauterizes the base of your hair follicles. The hair follicle dies and will never produce a hair again.

How do I know it's for me?

The best type of hair is brown or black with a coarse texture. The laser also removes fine hair, but extra treatments may be required. If your hair is white, blond or red, laser hair removal is unlikely to achieve permanent results. Advanced laser technology makes removal possible for all skin tones, including women and men of color, but not all lasers are safe enough for use with darker skin.

What if the hair is in an embarrassing place?

You might feel a little self-conscious at first, but remember that medical professionals are accustomed to seeing the human body in all its forms. We routinely remove hair from the most intimate areas. Other than the shaping of the eyebrows, there are no parts of the body where the laser can't go.

How do I get started?

Begin by consulting a licensed medical practitioner who specializes in laser work. Ask for a no-charge opportunity to state your expectations and to learn what the laser can--and can't--do.

What should I expect?

The night before your appointment, you'll shave the treatment area as thoroughly as possible to remove any hair above the skin that could divert laser light from the base of the hair follicle.

About two hours before your session, you may choose to apply a topical anesthetic to numb the treatment area. Your clinician will conduct a patch test to determine the proper laser settings for your hair and skin type, and you'll be asked to wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from exposure to the laser. The light is then delivered through a handheld instrument that the clinician moves gently over your skin.

Laser sessions usually take 15 to 30 minutes. Full legs require an additional 45 minutes. Most people achieve the desired results after four to eight laser sessions, usually scheduled six to eight weeks apart. Your skin may be slightly reddened after laser treatment, but it will recede and disappear within a day or two.

Will it hurt?

Usually a lot less than waxing. After applying numbing cream, most clients don't feel a thing. Those who experienced minor discomfort say it feels like the light pop of a rubber band against the skin. As we eliminate the hair follicles, the pain will lessen and each treatment will be easier on you.

Why do I need multiple treatments?

Hair grows in cycles, and the laser can only permanently destroy hair follicles in the active growing cycle. Since only about 10 to 30 percent of your follicles are in this phase at any given time, you want to space your treatments to treat the dormant follicles as they cycle into the active stage.

How much will I spend?

Prices and services vary considerably, based on the expertise and medical training of the clinician. But you could have permanent hair removal for about what you would spend on regular waxing for over two years.

Julie Hoff, R.N., is the owner and clinical director of GOLDCOAST medspa, Ltd. in Chicago, Illinois. Tel: 312.664.2128, goldcoastmedspa.com goldcoastmedspa.com