LASER HAIR REMOVAL/REDUCTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We thought you would find this information useful about laser hair removal/reduction. Feel free to call to ask any question you may have if you need more explanation.

What is laser hair removal?
Laser Hair Removal is the permanent reduction of hair using light energy to remove hair follicles.

How does it work? (Simple)
The laser light passes through the outer layer of skin and is selectively absorbed by the hair follicle. The laser energy heats the pigment in the hair and effectively disables the hair follicle.

How does it work? (More Explanative)
To understand Laser Hair Removal, it is good to understand the phases of hair growth. There are three phases of hair growth. Only one of them will be affected by laser treatment. The three phases are: Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen. The laser disables those follicles in the anagen or "active" phase of the hair growth cycle. (80-85% of hair follicles are at some point in the anagen phase). The catagen phase is the phase of regression. During this phase, cell division stops and the lower portion of the follicle is reabsorbed by the surrounding cells. Those follicles in the telogen, or "resting or dormant" phase, will not be affected by laser treatment. The laser works by slowing the growing capacity of follicles in the anagen growth cycle. In essence, laser hair removal kills only those hairs that are in the growing or anagen phase. You should know that removing hair by laser treatment does not cause it to grow back thicker, darker, or quicker. Instead, hair treated with laser grows back thinner and slower.

What Is Involved In Laser Hair Removal?
Laser Hair Removal uses low-energy light to gently remove unwanted hair. Long-lasting results are now possible with laser technology. Laser treatments will leave your skin looking and feeling silkier and smoother. Laser Hair Removal is a three-step process. The area to be treated is gently cleansed and shaved. Next, the area is scanned with the laser. The laser's energy passes through the skin and is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle. The pulses from the laser are about one per second so in a fraction of a second, all of the treated hair follicles are disabled.  Treatments can go very quickly.

What makes laser hair removal better than electrolysis?
Electrolysis often requires hundreds of hours to years of treatment at regular intervals. It is an invasive and painful process that involves inserting a needle into each hair follicle to deliver an electrical charge. By using a laser system, we deliver light energy to hundreds of hair at a time, taking seconds instead of minutes.

What is my first visit like?
The evening before or the morning of your appointment, we have you shave the area to be treated. We will do the laser procedure and you can leave immediately after the session is completed. Please arrive a few minutes early as we will start on time.

How often do I have to come to the office?
We have to treat 4 weeks apart to get good results. From our experience at least 4 to 6 sessions should be expected to get the results you want. Remember, in our office we schedule so you’ll never have to wait. You’ll be in and out quickly! 

Will I be able to resume my daily activities after a treatment?
Yes, there is absolutely no down time. You can reapply makeup or go back to your normal routine, including work, immediately. Sunscreen should always be worn.

Will more than one session be necessary?
The number of treatments required for long-term benefits depends on the area being treated, your hair density, and your hair's growth cycle. Many factors influence hair growth: age, ethnicity, weight, hormones, diet, medication, and metabolism all play a part in your hair's location, thickness and resilience. In essence, the number of sessions required depends on the individual

What does the process feel like?
First, there is a cool feeling from the contact of the laser source tip and then there is a slight tingling sensation from the laser light itself. Most patients tolerate the procedure well, but some areas of the body are more sensitive than other areas. Topical anesthesia is always available for those who may have sensitive skin.

Is laser treatment painful?
Laser hair removal is considered a very comfortable procedure, especially when compared to electrolysis hair removal. The Cynosure laser was designed with a chilled hand piece which desensitizes the area and minimizes discomfort. It is quick and efficient. For those clients who are more sensitive, an anesthetic cream can be applied before treatments. For further information on the Cynosure system click here or click the link below.

Are any special preparations needed?
Any concerns you have will be discussed at your free consultation. It is always a good idea to write your questions down before your first visit. At the initial phase of your laser treatments, there are some preparations needed. You must avoid direct sunlight one week before as well as one week after your first treatment. You must also avoid bleaching 7 days before treatment and discontinue tweezing and waxing at least 4 weeks before for optimum results. Shaving is permissible. However, you should allow some slight hair growth to occur so the laser technician can see the pattern of hair growth being treated.

What areas can be treated?
Face, legs, arms, underarms, shoulders and back, as well as sensitive areas like the chest and bikini-line can be treated by laser.

Eyebrows?
We do only the portion of the eyebrow that is in between the eyebrows the so called "unibrow". It has recently been suggested at the Society for Lasers In Medicine and Surgery meetings that only this area be treated to prevent eye problems. So in the best interest of our patients this is the only area we will treat. We have other procedures to help you with other areas of the eyebrows.

What happens to the area treated after laser treatments?
Slight reddening and local swelling of the skin, similar to a sunburn, may occur in some clients. These effects typically last 24 hours or less. After laser treatment, hairs will continue to grow for approximately 1 to 2 weeks. This is called "the purging stage", and those hairs will eventually fall out leaving you with sleek, beautiful skin.

How successful is the treatment? Will the hair return?
Laser hair removal is very successful. The length of laser hair removal treatment depends on each person's makeup and body chemistry. But once hair follicles have been treated and destroyed, they can no longer produce hair. Hair that is entering the anagen phase (growth phase) after laser treatment will need to be treated again. 

How many treatments are required?
Research indicates that between 20% and 30% of the hair follicles are in the growing or in anagen stage at any time. As a result, multiple treatments are required. The actual number varies from one individual to the next, but our experience indicates that 3 to 6 treatments at four to six weeks apart are best for optimal effect.

Does it work on light colored hair?
Blond-NO! Light brown –maybe, but worth trying. Dark and coarse-the best results!

Do we treat men?
Yes, we treat lots of men. Typical areas include the back, chest, face, neck, buttocks, shoulders, eyebrows and ears. Click here for more information.

What if I am African American, Asian, Indian, Greek, Persian or of other ethnicity?
With our laser we have treated many men and women of all ethnicities without complication and with excellent results.

Is it expensive? How much does it cost?
When compared to a lifetime of waxing, shaving, or purchasing depilatory creams, laser hair removal is affordable. Prices vary for each patient depending on the type of laser procedure, area of the body to be treated, and the number of treatments needed.

What form of payment is acceptable?
The New Body Center accepts cash, checks, Master Card, Visa, Debit Card, or you may take advantage of one of our convenient financing options. We provide a comfortable atmosphere for all our clients and a free consultation. For more information, please call (843) 769-2229.

Do you do other Laser Procedures?
Yes, we perform many laser procedures including spider vein and varicose vein removal. We also do laser ablation of many facial blemishes including warts, vessels, wrinkles, redness, increased pigment changes, and other skin discolorations. We also perform a popular procedure called facial laser rejuvenation. This procedure produces a more vibrant, more youthful appearing skin by rejuvenating age and sun damaged skin. The laser reduces pore size and stimulates your own collagen to lift, firm, and improve your skin tone.

Why should I choose The New Body Center for my hair removal?
At The New Body Center we believe that only trained medical professionals should be using cosmetic lasers. Dr. Robinson and his technicians are well trained and experienced and are leaders in their field. Dr. Robinson attends classes and seminars all over the country on cosmetic laser physics, procedures, and applications so that he can offer current state of the art laser services.

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