Question 1

How does laser hair removal work?

Accepted Answer

Laser Hair Removal (LHR) utilizes either laser (one wavelength of light) or an intense pulse light / IPL (multiple wave lengths of light) technology to target the pigment at the bottom of the hair shaft. By using either a 755 nm Alexandrite laser, an 810 nm Diode laser, a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser, or the Max R or Max Y IPL, we can safely treat any color skin. While LHR requires three to ten sessions, significant improvement will typically be seen after the first treatment. With every treatment, fewer and fewer hairs will grow back, leaving you with smooth skin. As your hair thins, we will adjust our treatment plan and laser technology to make sure you have the most effective results each and every visit.

Question 2

I have darker skin, will laser hair removal work for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We have multiple lasers and IPL technologies that allow us to safely treat all skin colors (even Fitzpatrick Skin Types IV, V, and VI). Since melanin (pigment) absorbs the light, we choose the laser source that will be most effective. As your hair regrowth decreases, we often change or combine lasers and IPL to make sure you receive the greatest value with each session. If you have fair skin with dark hair, you will typically need fewer treatments than those with darker skin.

Question 3

What does laser hair removal feel like?

Accepted Answer

Most people equate the laser pulse to a rubber band lightly snapping against the skin. Remember that everyone’s pain tolerance is different but our newer technologies utilize contact cooling to minimize any discomfort. Our patients actually enjoy coming to the office for a treatment as this discomfort pales in comparison to the pain of waxing, tweezing, or threading. . If you do find any part of the session uncomfortable, our highly trained aesthetic team applies a topical anesthetic cream, such as Prevadyne or BLT to numb the area within 5 to 7 minutes.

Question 4

When will I see results after a laser hair removal treatment?

Accepted Answer

You will see results immediately after treatment and there will be decreased hair growth over the next 3-4 weeks. Results will depend on the color and thickness of your hair, area being treated, and the color of your skin. Most patients see a minimum of 25% reduction of hair growth after the first treatment.

While some areas only need three to four sessions for permanent hair reduction, other areas may need 6-8 treatments. Once you have achieved your goals, maintenance is infrequent with some patients coming in once every year to year and a half for a couple of stubborn hairs. We have tremendous success with LHR of the axilla (armpits) and find almost complete removal of hair within 3 treatments. Again, results may vary. When the hair does grow back, these individual hairs tend to be finer and lighter in color.

Question 5

How often do I need to come for treatments?

Accepted Answer

The treatment intervals vary from 3 weeks to 8 weeks depending on the area being treated. For instance, the face usually needs 3- to 4-week intervals while the axilla (armpits) may need 8 week intervals. The best results occur when we treat the hair during its growth phase (called the anagen phase).

Question 6

What are the possible side effects of laser hair removal?

Accepted Answer

Common Side Effects: - Mild to moderate discomfort due to the heat generated during the procedure - Mild swelling lasting a few minutes to a few hours - Mild redness lasting minutes Uncommon Side Effects: - Temporary Hyper- or Hypopigmentation - Herpes simplex outbreaks (again, this is why a thorough history is important) When treated properly, you should not experience any blistering of the skin. Remember to always seek an expert. Dr. Chilukuri is often referred cases of scarring after laser hair removal. The best way to treat these scars is to prevent them in the first place.