Questions
About Laser Hair Removal:
What
conditions are treated with the laser?
Traditional
hair removal techniques, such as shaving,
plucking and waxing, provide only temporary
relief. Until now, the only semi-permanent
way to remove hair has been by electrolysis,
which can be painful, time consuming and
is limited to small cosmetic areas. Scarring,
allergic reactions and ingrown hairs are
common side effects of all those hair removal
methods.
The GentleLASE™ safely removes unwanted
body hair without damaging the delicate
pores and structures of the skin. Facial
and bikini areas are usually completed
in under ten minutes: legs and larger areas
can take longer.
Why
should I have GentleLASE™ treatment?
This
is a procedure to remove unwanted hair. The
best results have been achieved on darker,
finer hair but other factors may influence
the treatment process, and are generally
best evaluated and discussed in person. The
GentleLASE™ process offers safe and
effective treatment.
What
does the treatment include?
A
complimentary test session for patients with
darker skin to determine optimal laser settings.
Safety eyewear to protect your eyes during
the procedure from the intense laser light.
A small handpiece will be used with a probe
that touches the skin to deliver the laser
light. A light spray of coolant onto the
skin will be felt just before each laser
pulse.
Most patients experience little discomfort
at the treatment site because of the dynamic
cooling device.
The degree of discomfort varies with each
person depending on his/her pain threshold.
Topical anesthesia may also be requested.
Be sure to discuss this with us in advance
of the laser treatment.
The procedure can take as little as 10
minutes or up to an hour, depending on
the area treated. All patients can go home
immediately following treatment.
The treated area may become pink or red
within about 30 minutes of treatment; this
may last from a few hours to several days.
What
precautions should be taken before and after
treatment?
Avoid
the sun 4-6 weeks before and after treatment.
If you wish to have a treatment immediately
after your consultation, you must not be tanned.
You MUST avoid bleaching, plucking, or waxing hair for 6 weeks prior to treatment.
If you have done so, a treatment can be given, but may be less effective since
hair removal works best on hair follicles in the growth stage.
If you have had a history of perioral herpes, prophylactic antiviral therapy
may be prescribed.
If you are tan or have a darker skin type, a bleaching cream may be started 4-6
weeks before treatment. Patients with darker skin types can be treated. However,
a free test treatment may be done first to determine the optimal laser settings.
The full laser treatment will be carried out on another day.
You should discuss your desired results and the improvements you expect to achieve.
Together you and the physician can decide if your expectations will be met and
if this laser treatment is the best option.
How
many treatments will I need?
Hair grows
in cycles. The number of treatments required
depends upon your skin, hair coloring and coarseness
of the hair. Everyone will require at least
2-3 treatments, as the process is only effective
on hairs during their growing cycle. Repeated
sessions will be necessary to treat these follicles
when they re-enter the growth phase. Three
to five treatments is the commonest treatment
program.
Is
this procedure covered by insurance?
Most
insurance companies do not offer reimbursement
for cosmetic procedures; however, consult
your insurance carrier for more information. |
The
Lowen Laser Institute is dedicated to
bringing you the most up-to-date laser technology available. We provide state-of-the-art
treatment for all skin conditions for
which laser treatment is recognized as
effective.
