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The
following information answers
Frequently Asked Questions. Click
on any question below, or scroll down the page. If
you have any other questions please
e-mail us.
Where
are you located?
We have a
2 convenient locations in the Northeast. We are planning
to open many more locations. Please click How
to find us for directions maps, aerial photos, you name
it....or call 1-866-664-2477 to find the office nearest
you.
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How
does laser hair removal work?
In essence,
the laser targets pigment granules in the hair (melanin)
in an effort to destroy the hair follicle. Dark hair contains
the pigment melanin, which serves as the target for energy
delivered by the laser. The laser energy is absorbed by
the pigmented hair shaft and transferred to the surrounding
follicle. The heat build-up caused by the absorption of
energy by the hair itself is capable of creating follicular
damage and retard to prevent future hair production by the
follicle.
Lasers are
effective disabling hairs that are actively growing, and
at any given time not all are in an active growth phase.
It therefore is necessary to treat an area at a later time
to disable those hairs that were in a resting phase during
initial treatment. We offer free consultations, so feel
free to come in for evaluation to see if laser is right
for you. You can also e-mail us.
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Who
are the best candidates for laser hair removal?
Since light
energy is absorbed by the pigment melanin, which then is
transformed into heat energy to disable the follicle, those
individuals with course dark hair, and light skin color
respond most optimally. In those people with darker skin
color (more melanin in the skin), the skin tends to compete
with the hair for the light energy resulting in the potential
for damage to the skin, not the follicle. Up to now, treating
darker skin types has been a problem.
To overcome
this obstacle, the Diode Laser Hair Removal System uses
Super Long-Pulse technology. This technology delivers a
pulse of laser energy to the skin over a longer period of
time than other hair removal lasers. This longer delivery
time (pulse width) eliminates the absorption of laser energy
into darker skin and yet still disables the hair follicle.
Super long-pulse technology is so effective, it permits
the treatment of ALL skin colors types (1-6), even TANNED
skin.
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How
does laser hair removal differ from electrolysis?
The main
difference between this technology and the traditional method
known as electrolysis, is that lasers can treat multiple
hair follicles at one time, no longer requiring the need
to identify and probe each individual hair follicle, as
is done with electrolysis.
As anyone
who has had electrolysis can attest, electrolysis can be
exceedingly painful. It is costly, slow, and, importantly,
can cause permanent scarring. Electrolysis works by the
use of electrical current, delivered through a small needle
or electrode, which is passed through the skin and, hopefully,
into the hair bulb beneath the surface of the skin. There
are several problems, which become obvious once this mechanism
is considered. Firstly, the electrical current can damage
normal skin around the hair follicle resulting in scarring.
Secondly, since it is impossible to see the hair follicle,
which is being treated, the practitioner cannot be certain
that the electrical current is being placed in exactly the
right place. Skilled electrolygist's can get some excellent
results, and, until recently, patients had no other effective
alternative.
Laser hair
removal is the most practical, least painful, most efficient,
probably least expensive professional method available to
remove unwanted hair.
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How
successful is the process of laser hair removal, is the
treatment permanent?
Patients will
achieve varying degrees of success. The application of Ruby
laser energy to the skin results in almost complete removal
of all actively growing hairs. The treatment can vary. Part
of the difficulty in eradicating unwanted or excess hair lies
in the fact that the follicle has tremendous regenerative
capabilities and that these recuperative powers are highly
variable from individual to individual and from one anatomic
site to another. In most instances more than one treatment
is necessary in order to achieve permanent hair removal and
in some instances, treatment may fail to permanently remove
hair.
In order
to understand the process it is important to understand
the biology of hair growth itself. Hair growth cycles are
divided into three phases. The anagen follicle or growing
hair is the major target for the laser energy and represents
the most vulnerable phase of the hair growth cycle. Telogen
or resting hairs are not actively growing and appear to
be more resistant to the laser energy. The transitional
phase between anagen and telogen phases known as the categen
phase is brief but relatively resistant to the laser removal.
Depending
on the body site, various percentages of hair are in the
anagen, catagen and telogen phase. As a result of this,
it is necessary to treat a given anatomic area more than
once in order to attempt to achieve permanent hair removal.
Since the anagen phase is most vulnerable, a period of one
to three months between treatments is necessary to allow
the telogen phase hairs to once again enter the anagen cycle
and become more sensitive to the laser energy.
Laser hair
removal is relative new technology. The FDA, however, has
recently provided clearance which indicates lasers can achieve
a permanent reduction in hair growth. Most people need an
average of 6 treatment Hair grows in cycles and subsequent
treatments are necessary to treat follicles that are lying
dormant below the surface of the skin. These dormant follicles
contain little pigment and are often not affected by first
treatment.
The results
tend to be additive, i.e. more treatments lead to greater
degrees of permanent hair reduction. For any given patient
results cannot be precisely predicted.
BEFORE
AFTER
Arm, three months
after second treatment
using the 20 x 20 mm SheerSpeed Adapter.
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How
is the laser treatment performed?
Laser hair
removal is a relatively straightforward process. A prescription
anesthetic cream if desired is applied 45 minutes prior
to treatment. This cream greatly reduces the discomfort
associated with the laser hair removal process. Prior to
treatment the hair should be shaved clean. After the procedure,
cool compresses and soothing gel are applied to the treated
area.
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What
areas can be treated?
Any area,
at ‘NoHairs’ we do not remove hairs adjacent
to the eye. The most common areas requested are the face,
upper lip, ears, neck, chest, periareolar, underarms, back,
abdomen, bikini line, and legs.
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How
long is a session?
Treatments
using the Palomar E2000 System are faster than those provided
by any other technique, including earlier laser procedures.
The large 3/4" (20-mm) square spot size means that
even large body areas (like backs and legs) can be covered
quickly. The table below shows the speed of the Palomar
E2000 System Compared with electrolysis, which can take
15 seconds or more per hair, laser hair removal is the fast
alternative! It is even faster than waxing, and much more
effective.
The SLP1000
Diode Laser System is slower than the E2000 because of the
smaller spot size (12-mm), but this system works on all
the skin types unlike the E2000 which will not work on dark
skin.
The
Speed of the E2O00 System Vs. Electrolysis and Waxing
|
Body Area
|
E2000 Hair removal for
permanent hair reduction*
|
Electrolysis
Hair removal for permanent hair reduction*
|
Waxing
Hair removal for temporary result
(1 - 3 weeks)
|
|
Back
|
15 minutes
|
10 + hours
|
30 minutes
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|
Legs
|
45 minutes
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12+ hours
|
1 hour
|
|
Bikini Line
|
15 minutes
|
4 + hours
|
15 minutes
|
|
Underarms
|
6 minutes
|
2 + hours
|
15 minutes
|
|
Chin
|
4 minutes
|
45 + minutes
|
10 minutes
|
|
Upper Lip
|
2 minutes
|
30 + minutes
|
15 minutes
|
The Speed
of the SLP1000 System Vs. Electrolysis and Waxing
|
BODY
AREA
|
SLP1OOO
Hair removal for permanent
hair reduction*
|
Electrolysis
Hair removal for permanent hair reduction*
|
Waxing
Hair removal for temporary result
(1 - 3 weeks)
|
|
Back
|
45 minutes
|
10+ hours
|
30 minutes
|
|
Legs
|
2 hours
|
12+ hours
|
1 hour
|
|
Bikini Line
|
15 minutes
|
4+ hours
|
15 minutes
|
|
Underarms
|
15 minutes
|
2+ hours
|
15 minutes
|
|
Chin
|
10 minutes
|
45+ minutes
|
10 minutes
|
|
Upper Lip
|
5 minutes
|
30+ minutes
|
15 minutes
|
Treatment times shown represent the approximate time to
treat an average specific body area one time
* For long-lasting
results, multiple treatment sessions are usually needed.
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What
preparation is needed before laser treatment?
Avoid plucking,
depilatory creams or electrolysis for 6 weeks prior to treatment,
and at all times in between treatments.
Avoid waxing
2 weeks prior to treatment, and at all times in between treatments.
Shaving is allowed for up to 3-5 days prior to the initial
visit. Full hair growth is required for proper assessment
and documentation photos. If your hair growth is not heavy,
avoid shaving for up to 2 weeks.
Avoid use of exfoliant creams (Retin-A and alphahydroxy) for
2 weeks prior to treatment.
Avoid tanning, including self-tanning lotions or sun exposure,
for 4-6 weeks prior to treatment. A sunscreen with SPF 30
or greater should be used for 4-6 weeks on any area of sun-exposed
skin prior to treatment.
Information
for patients prescribed pigment-reducing gels:
1) The laser light is attracted to chromophores under the
surface of the skin. Although the Palomar E2000 effectively
targets the larger chromophores (hair follicles), some of
the laser energy can be absorbed by the smaller chromophores
(pigment/melanin). This may result in an increased risk of
skin injury, and less successful hair reduction. For this
reason, pretreatment gels, i.e. hydroquinone, that reduce
the pigment in the skin are recommended for certain skin types
or tanned individuals.
2) Pigment-reducing gels should be used twice a day (AM and
PM) for at least 4 weeks prior to treatment.
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What
should be avoided after treatment?
A mild sunburn-like
sensation is anticipated. This usually resolves within 2-3
hours of treatment. Application of topical aloe Vera may be
soothing to the skin or application of an ice pack at intervals
of 5 - 10 minutes until symptoms subside.
Avoid sun exposure
to treated areas. Apply a sunblock with SPF 30 or greater
daily to sun-exposed treated areas between treatments and
for 4-6 weeks after last treatment.
3) Bathe or
shower as usual. Treated areas may be temperature sensitive.
Avoid use of scented lotions or soaps, exfoliant creams, loofa
sponges, and aggressive scrubbing in treated areas during
the healing phase.
Until redness
has completely resolved (usually 1-2 hours), avoid all of
the following:
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Applying make-up
over treated areas
-
Shaving
-
Swimming,
especially in pools with chemicals/chlorine
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Hot tubs and
Jacuzzis
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Activities
that cause excessive perspiration
Apply a thin
film of antibiotic ointment twice a day to any areas of crusting.
Do not pick at these areas. Picking may result in infection
or permanent scarring.
Appearance
of “stubble” may appear in 1-3 weeks. This is not
hair regrowth. It is the remnant of treated hairs being expelled
from the laser-damaged follicle. Allow this hair to fall away
from the skin itself or by gentle washing with a warm wet
washcloth. Do not shave, pluck or tweeze.
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Are
there any adverse affects or individuals that cannot be
treated?
FDA clearance
for the safety and effectiveness of laser hair removal was
achieved in 1997. In over 1,000 research treatments performed,
only transient side effects have been noted. You will be
given proper skin care instructions following your treatment.
There is
mild pain associated with the treatments, which has been
likened to the light snap of a rubber band. For those wishing
to minimize any discomfort, EMLA or ELA-MAX (4%) topical
anesthetic cream can be prescribed, however, it must be
applied an hour before treatment and occluded with Saran
wrap.
Some degree
of redness or swelling may occur, but usually does not persist
much beyond a few hours to a few days. Occasionally blisters
can develop, and extremely rarely, scarring or infection
can occur (to date we have not seen scarring or infection
in any of our laser hair patients). The darker the skin
color, the more one is at risk for changes in skin color,
hypo or hyperpigmentation. Usually any changes in skin color
will fade over time, but permanent discoloration is a very
remote possibility (we have seen rare pigment changes in
a few of our patients but have never observed permanent
pigmentary change in our patients). It is important to point
out that any of these adverse events can be see with electrolysis,
or for that matter, waxing or shaving.
An
area with an active infection such as cold sores should
not be treated until the infection has healed. Sometimes
in individuals with history of recurrent cold sores (Herpes
Simplex Type 1), laser treatment around lips may precipitate
an attack of cold sores; if such is the case inform your
doctor who may prescribe you a medicine before the start
of laser treatment. For best treatment results it is best
to avoid tanning both immediately before and following laser
treatments. Self-tanning cream should also be avoided prior
to treatment
At ‘NoHairs’
We do not do any laser treatments on individuals:
-
Who have
chronic medical illness
-
Pregnant
mothers
-
Girls and
boys who have not yet gone through their full puberty;
usually 15 years for girls and 17 years for boys
-
Individuals
who have history of Keloid scarring
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Am
I a candidate for laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is not
for everyone. The absolute requirement is that one’s
hair must be darker than the surrounding skin. Non-responders
are usually limited to those with blonde or red hair. Lastly
the treatment cost should be within reach of the patient.
Laser hair removals, although much less expensive than electrolysis,
requires multiple treatments, and generally costs $100 to
$500 per each session for most anatomic areas.
Skin type 1 & 11 usually
require about three to four treatments; Type 111 &
1V usually require about four to six treatments and Type
V & V1 usually more than five depending on how dark
they are. The darker you are more the number of treatments
you need.
| Type |
Color |
Reaction
to first yearly exposure to the sun |
| 1 |
White |
Always
burns, never tans |
| 11 |
White |
Usually
burns, tans with difficulty |
| 111 |
White/Asian |
Sometimes
mild burn, average tan |
| 1V |
Moderate
Brown |
Rarely
burns, tans with ease |
| V |
Dark
Brown |
Very
rarely burns, tans very easily |
| V1 |
Black |
Never
burns |
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Influence
of skin color on laser hair removal
Light skin
makes laser hair removal easier to perform. Fewer treatments
are required, and better, faster results are obtained. People
with darker skin can be treated, but results are slower,
more sessions are required, and greater expertise is required
on the part of the laser center. Laser hair removal must
be individualized for each patient.
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Influence
of hair color on laser hair removal.
Dark hair
absorbs more laser energy and is easier to treat. Coarse
dark hair responds the best to laser treatment. Light hair
is more difficult to treat. Blonde or red hair is very difficult
to treat. Multiple treatment sessions are required, and
results are variable. Blonde or red hair usually contains
pheomelanin, which absorbs laser energy less avidly than
the eumelanin pigment that is present in black or brown
hair.
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Diet
and laser hair removal.
Diet is generally
unrelated, except for Beta-Carotene, which interferes with
the treatment.
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Beta-Carotene
and laser hair removal.
Beta-Carotene,
found in carrots, vitamin A supplements, squash, and other
vegetables, is deposited in the skin, producing a subtle
orange or yellow color in the skin. This pigment absorbs
laser energy, preventing it from reaching the hair follicle,
and increasing the absorption of laser energy in the skin.
Beta-carotene persists for months after ingestion. Patients
interested in the best results from laser hair removal will
benefit from discontinuation of the use of all forms of
beta-carotene.
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Laser
hair removal and children.
Laser hair
removal is successful for children but it does require their
cooperation. Not much is known weather hair will re-grow
once they undergo puberty or become pregnant.
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What
about ingrown hairs?
Unlike other
forms of hair removal, laser hair removal leaves you free
from any form of ingrown hair. In fact, laser epilation
is particularly effective in treating ingrown hairs.
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Is
this procedure safe for pregnant women?
Nothing in
the studies has shown that this laser epilation technology
has adverse effects on pregnancy. However, at ‘NoHairs’
we believe that even the slightest chance of risk is
a chance not worth taking. For this reason, we do not perform
laser hair removal on pregnant women or women who are nursing.
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How
much does laser hair removal cost?
Laser hair
removal involves the use of sophisticated, expensive laser
equipment in order to deliver precise and effective energy
pulses. During your initial consultation the areas to be
treated will be determined and a fee quoted. Our aim is
to provide safe, effective, and affordable laser treatments
for patients wishing to avail themselves of this service.
These are
some general guidelines for prices per treatment. First
treatment is usually higher, subsequent treatments are less.
Consultation: Free
Small to Moderate Areas:
$100 - $250
Larger Areas, e.g. back,
legs individually considered
Pricing and quantity discounts
are available
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#cc3399
We do not
bill insurance companies for hair removal. Some insurance
companies may, however, provide reimbursement.
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How
can I pay for services?
We accept
all major credit cards, debit cards and personal checks.
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Is
there a recovery time after my session?
No. You can
even have your session during your lunch hour.
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What
should I wear?
If the area
you are having treated requires disrobing, you will be provided
with an appropriate cover-up. Generally you will be able
to keep some or all of your clothes on.
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Can
I wear makeup?
It’s
best that you come in without makeup if we will be treating
your face, but we can always remove it for you before your
session.
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How
do I get started?
We encourage
you to call for a consultation or to arrange a treatment.
Consultations are free. Our office staff will answer any
further questions you may have. Please remember do not bleach,
wax, or pluck the hairs prior to your visit, and avoid tanning
immediately before and following your treatments. Shaving
or trimming hair is ok, and is preferred prior to laser
treatment.
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