Frequently asked questions about laser hair removal

1. How many treatments will I need to attain satisfactory hair removal?
Most patients will require 3-5 treatments to a specific area.

2. How frequent will treatments be performed?
Treatments will be performed once signs of hair regrowth appear, usually 4-6 week intervals.

3. How long will the effects last?
Scientific evidence shows that a certain percentage of the hairs will be gone permanently after each treatment so that after 3-5 treatments, some patients will have complete hair removal. Some hairs that are not permanently destroyed may reappear after 3-12 months. This hair will usually be finer in texture and lighter in color. Individual patient results vary widely based on multiple factors.

4. What kind of anesthesia will I receive?
Most patients experience a transient “stinging” sensation during the treatment. To reduce this discomfort, a topical anesthetic may be applied to the affected area before the treatment.

5. How do I take care of the treated areas?
Immediately after treatment, ice compresses can be applied for 15-20 minutes. A petrolatum based ointment should be applied 2-3 times a day to keep the area moist. A topical corticosteroid may be applied for the first few days to hasten the disappearance of redness.

6. When can I use make-up?
Make-up can be applied after 24 hours.

7. How long do I have to avoid the sun?
Sun exposure is safe if no further treatments are planned. Sun protection is absolutely necessary before and in between laser treatments. Any degree of suntan will predispose to blister formation and pigmentary changes and may reduce the effectiveness of subsequent treatments. We recommend that you avoid the sun and wear a broad rimmed hat. Once you discontinue use of the petrolatum ointment, sunscreen (SPF 15-30) should be used to sun exposed areas.

8. What are the possible risks of the procedure?
Fortunately, side effects are uncommon when qualified personnel perform the laser procedure. However, the following complications may occur. Darkening (hyperpigmentation) may occur, especially in patients with darker skin tones. In other patients, skin lightening (hypopigmentation) may occur. These changes in color tend to gradually fade away in 1-3 months. There is a small chance of scarring (less than 1%), appearing as either thickened or depressed areas. To minimize the chances of these possible risks, it is important to follow all preoperative and postoperative instructions carefully.