Permanent Hair Reduction
If you’re not happy with shaving, tweezing, or waxing to remove hair, laser hair removal may be an option worth considering.
Laser hair removal is one of the most commonly done cosmetic procedures in the North America. It beams highly concentrated light into hair follicles. Pigment in the follicles absorb the light, this then destroys the hair. At Midwest Laser Centre we offer a range of hair removal lasers that are safe and effective, these include alexandrite and nd:yag wavelengths.
Each of the hair removal systems used at the Midwest Laser Centre offers a long-term reprise from unwanted hair growth.
Hair removal technologies treat hairs that are visible at the time of treatment and disable those follicles that are in the active phase of the growth cycle. Follicles that are in the resting phase of the growth cycle will not be affected therefore a series of treatments is required. Following the procedure the treated area is soft and smooth and free of stubble or shadow. Hair re-growth to follow is finer and softer as the hairs in the active cycle of growth have been reduced.
At Midwest Laser Centre a personal consultation and assessment of skin type will determine the technology, or combination of technologies, best suited to each individual patient’s treatment.
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
Lasers are useful for removing unwanted hair from the face, leg, arm, underarm, bikini line, and other areas.
Precision. Lasers can selectively target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.
Speed. Each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time. The laser can treat an area approximately the size of a quarter every second. Small areas such as the upper lip can be treated in less than a minute, and large areas, such as the back or legs, may take up to an hour.
Predictability. Most patients have permanent hair loss after an average of three to seven sessions.
How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is more than just “zapping” unwanted hair. It is a medical procedure that requires training to perform and carries potential risks. Before getting laser hair removal we recommend having a complimentary consultation to make sure you’re a good candidate.
If you are planning on undergoing laser hair removal, you should limit plucking, waxing, and electrolysis for six weeks before treatment. That’s because the laser targets the hairs’ roots, which are temporarily removed by waxing or plucking.
You should also avoid sun exposure for four-six weeks before and after treatment. Sun exposure makes laser hair removal less effective and makes complications after treatment more likely.
What to Expect During Laser Hair Removal
Just before the procedure, you should trim the hair that will be undergoing treatment to a few millimeters above the skin surface (shaving is recommended). The laser equipment will be adjusted according to the color, thickness, and location of your hair being treated as well as your skin color.
Hair removal technology selectively targets pigment inside the hair follicle. The energy absorbed by the follicle is then transformed into heat, which disables the follicle but leaves the delicate pores and structures of the surrounding skin unchanged. The pulses emitted during treatment generally cause a stinging sensation, which has been described as the feeling of an elastic band snapping against the skin.
Cooling features provide an essential element to hair removal procedures protecting and soothing the surrounding skin.
Over several days, disabled follicles are ejected from the body. Because the laser is selective to the pigment of hair, very light hair colours (blond, red, grey) are not likely to respond to laser hair removal. Additionally, for safety, patients should avoid tanning through their course of laser hair removal treatments.
Disclaimer: Results may vary from patient to patient. A complimentary consultation is required before treatments can be booked. There may be contraindications and possible side effects that need to be discussed at your consultation. We do not treat pregnant or breast feeding patients with any of our devices or procedures.