Permanent Laser Hair Reduction

Areas to be treated should be shaved 24-48 hours beforehand. A clear gel will be applied to the skin. Then, the laser energy is delivered with a cooled applicator, so there is minimal or no discomfort. Your treatment provider may choose to glide the applicator on the skin or to use a stamping technique, depending on the size and location of the treated area. During the treatment, some patients experience a warm or stinging sensation in the treatment area. For your safety, your eyes will be protected with safety shields or glasses. Personal sensitivity varies from patient to patient – discuss this with your clinician before treatment.

Treatment time will vary depending upon the size of the area treated and your hair and skin type. Typically, a smaller area only takes a few minutes while a large area can take 15 minutes or longer. There is virtually no downtime, and in most cases, you can resume your normal daily activities immediately. Limited sun exposure is recommended for at least 48 hours.

Immediately following your treatment, you may experience some redness that should go away within a few hours. The week after treatment, you may experience what seems to be regrowth of hair. Most of these hairs are being shed as a result of your laser treatment and are not growing back. Your clinician will provide you with more information on what to expect and give you an aftercare plan to follow, including the use of sunscreen and avoiding direct sun exposure.

Most areas require 6-8 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart to achieve optimal benefit. Long-term results depend on multiple factors, including hormonal levels, treated hair color and thickness, location of the area treated, and compliance with the laser treatment protocol. It is expected that additional laser treatments (or touch-ups) will be needed every 1-2 years.