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LASER HAIR REMOVAL
It may seem expensive, but LHR is actually an investment that saves thousands of dollars over time —it's far less expensive than a lifetime of waxing or shaving. Here is everything you need to know.
PRE & POST TREATMENT
Before and after your laser hair removal treatment.
PRE-TREATMENT CARE
Shave the area you will be having laser hair removal treatment on the night before (we want to zap the hairs during their first stage of growth).
There should be no active tan or at least two weeks out of the sun. This can vary depending on your skin type.
NO lotions, make-up or deodorant should be put on treatment area before it is treated.
POST-TREATMENT CARE
Stay out of the sun for two weeks!
NO excessive sweating. This means no gym, sauna, bath, or hot tub for 24 hours after a treatment. This can be longer for those with sensitive skin.
If after 24 hours the treated area is still showing erythema (redness), use a cold compress to sooth and encourage healing.
HOW MANY SESSIONS DOES LASER HAIR REMOVAL TAKE?
You will need to have a course of treatments because of the way laser technology works. Lasers target hair that is in the “growth phase” of its cycle. However, each hair reaches this growth phase at different times. You will need a number of sessions so that each hair follicle is targeted by the laser at some point during the growth phase.
The area being treated, your skin type, and your hair colour and density will also determine how many treatments you will need (generally speaking it is 6-10 treatments depending on the treatment area). Touch-ups once a year are recommended, but not always needed. Remember, our bodies are always changing, this can include growing hair in new and unexpected places!
WILL THE HAIR GROW BACK?
The hair follicles that have been killed will not grow back. However, it it is possible that NEW growth could show up in areas both treated and untreated on your body — sometimes, where we never even had hair before. Our bodies change and our hormones change, which means hair growth changes. This is why we recommend a yearly touch-up on all laser-treated areas.
CAN I WAX OR PLUCK BETWEEN MY LASER SESSIONS?
NO! You can’t wax or pluck while you’re treating an area with laser. We want the roots to be as distinguished as possible as the dark root pigments are what attracts the laser. Good, dark roots are best to help the laser zap the hair follicle and destroy it for good.
DOES IT MATTER THAT I'M ON MEDICATION?
If you have been on ????? you must wait a minimum of 6 months before you can undergo any laser therapy procedures. As for any other photosensitive medication, you can not be taking this medication while you are being lasered as it may cause burning.
CAN YOU GET LASER WHEN YOU'RE PREGNANT?
Although lasers have been used for hair removal for more than 40 years, there is still not enough research to indicate the effects of laser treatments on a growing fetus. Because of this, Sthetix will not treat someone who is pregnant.
WHAT SKIN TYPES CAN GET LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
The Cynosure EliteMPx laser we use at SthetiX Laser Therapy works on all skin types and most hair types. It works best on those with fair skin and dark hair (brown/black). If you have a darker complexion or have blonde hair there is less contrast between hair colour and skin colour so you may require a couple of extra sessions. Those with white-blonde, bright red, or grey hair will find that laser hair removal may not work for them at all, as the hair pigment is what attracts the laser. You can always come in for a free patch test to see if laser hair removal works for you!
WHAT HAIR COLOURS DOES LASER HAIR REMOVAL WORK ON?
Laser Hair Removal does NOT work on all hair colours — it will not work on white or grey hair. The laser needs to find pigment in order to target and kill the hair root.
WHAT LASER TECHNOLOGY DO YOU USE?
Different clinics use different technologies. Sthetix Laser Therapy uses the most advanced laser technology on the market — the Cynosure EliteMpx. This technology helps to cool and soothe the skin as the treatment is working, meaning safer procedures, less discomfort, faster treatment times, and better results! This laser is medical grade FDA approved.
IS IT PAINFUL? IF SO, HOW LONG DOES THE PAIN LAST?
If you can take the "pain" of waxing then you can take the “pain” of laser. Some people find it to be more of an annoying feeling than an actually painful feeling. You won’t yelp, but you do want to feel heat and a small, almost, light elastic band flick so that you know the settings used are being effective.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
Laser hair removal and laser therapies in general are considered to be low-risk treatments. However, as with any procedure, there can be side effects; irritation, itching, swelling, redness, discolouration, burns, and in extreme cases scarring. Some itching and redness within the first 48 hours post-treatment can be expected.
IS THERE ANY DOWNTIME FOLLOWING TREATMENT?
Keep an eye on the treatment area until your redness (if any) subsides. In general, laser hair removal shouldn’t impact your normal routine except avoiding a few things for the first 24 hours such as: intense sunlight, perfumed products, intense heat, waxing, chlorine, and tight clothing if you have sensitive skin.
DO I HAVE TO STICK TO A STRICT APPOINTMENT SCHEDULE FOR MY SESSIONS?
Yes. In order to get the most bang for your buck, you need to come back for another session as advised by your Sthetix Laser Technician. Each area of the body is different. For example, Brazilians and underarms require treatments to be 4 weeks aparts, while arms and legs only require 6.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The cost of laser hair removal varies with body part. Laser hair removal might seem like a large expense up front, but think of the money you will save on razors, waxing, and hair removal creams, not to mention the amount of time you’ll save yourself in the shower! Laser allows you to ditch the razor and the pain of waxing for good!
Laser Hair Removal is a permanent hair reduction solution, and in that, is really more affordable than you think. You can view our laser hair removal price list here.
WHY MIGHT LASER HAIR REMOVAL NOT HAVE WORKED FOR ME IN THE PAST?
You didn’t shave first. We need to hit the hair during the growth stage. if you wax before then, you are pulling the hair out of that root that we want to kill. If the hair is too long then we are just burning the hair on to the skin instead of getting to the root.
You got IPL. Was there a cool gel or flashing bright white light used during your treatments? That’s an IPL. IPL or Intense Pulse Light is NOT a laser. IPL can work well for hair removal, but it usually takes more treatments, almost double that of laser. IPL comes with a higher risk of burns, as IPL is contraindicated for darker skin tones including tans.
Your laser technician lacked experience. Always ensure you are booking with an experienced laser technician who has the proper certificates and schooling under their belt. Also try to ensure your tech specializes in laser hair removal. Technical abilities, experience, and specialization are all guaranteed when you book with Sthetix Laser Therapy.
You’re weren't consistent. An experienced, well-trained laser technician would recommend the standard 4-6 weeks waiting time between session depending on the treatment area. They would also recommend at least 6 sessions per treatment area, this again dependent on the individual and treatment area. All too often, people will go for two or three treatments and then come back a month later and say that it all grew back. You have to repeatedly traumatize the follicle for the root to die. Certain areas with especially thick hair may require additional sessions, but 6 sessions is generally the magic number.
You have crazy-high expectations. 85-90% hair reduction is what you should be aiming for, and, COME ON, let’s just say that in itself is pretty amazing! Imagine 90% less hair in the area that’s bothering you? Different areas will show different results for different people. Don’t simply expect complete baldness, however 100% hair reduction is possible. The FDA approval is for permanent hair reduction, not removal.
Get in touch and we'd be happy to answer any questions you may have!