Frequently Asked Questions
IS IT SAFE?
Yes! Thousands of patients have undergone laser hair removal with a very low
incidence of complications. When used properly by trained professionals it is
extremely safe. Our lasers are even safer than most lasers because of the
patented active cooling system which protects the skin during treatment.
No. Laser hair removal is gentle and does not require anesthesia. Our laser is
even more gentle than most because of its patented cooling system. A cool mist
is sprayed onto the skin just prior to each laser pulse. This temporarily
diminishes sensation so that most patients feel only the brief puff of coolness
and experience very little discomfort, if any.
Women
Face
Eyebrows
Legs
Bikini Lines
Thong Lines
Private Area
Arms
Under arms
Toes
Neck
Fingers
Feet
Back
Chest
Abdomen
Men
Face
Ears
Between Eyes
Eyebrows
Neck
Beard
Mustache
Nose
Hairline
Back
Shoulders
Chest
Hands
Arms
Feet
Abdomen
Private Areas
There is no charge for consultation. Prices will vary depending on the amount
of hair and body area to be treated. Individual consultation is necessary to
determine the exact cost. Long term results usually make laser a very cost
effective treatment. Plan on multiple treatments for optimum results.
The laser is primarily effective on hair in the active growth phase. Only some
of your hair is in the active growth (anagen) phase at a time. It is necessary
to repeat the treatment over time and treat the follicles when they are
susceptible. Different areas of the body have different growth cycles but
usually it is necessary to do a minimum of three treatments at one to three
month intervals to obtain maximum results.
Even prolonged temporary results are preferable to other means of hair
removal. Our treatments are designed so
that follow ups, if needed, are available at an affordable and reduced cost. The FDA allows us to say our treatments provide
“90-95%” permanent hair reduction.
Yes! There are a number of lasers
capable of producing long term hair removal.
There are differences in effectiveness based on the specific wavelength
and power of the laser used. Remember,
the technology to remove hair with a laser is only 5-6 years old.
WHAT ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS?
Laser has far fewer side effects that electrolysis, or even waxing.
This treatment has virtually eliminated
inflammation, ingrown hairs, allergic reactions, and pain associated with other
methods of hair removal. A mild sunburn
effect, possibly a little swelling, may be felt in 5% of patients. This resolves within a day and requires no
special treatment. There is no “down
time” and normal activities may be resumed immediately. Sun tanned skin and darker skin shades posed
a problem for laser hair removal in the past. Now we own a laser that
specifically treats sun tanned skin and darker skin shades effectively and
without difficulty.
The Laser Clinic is directed by a licensed physician with specialized training
in lasers and laser hair removal. A nurse with laser technician certification
completes most of the treatment under the direction of a physician.
METHOD
|
HOW IT WORKS
|
IDEAL CANDIDATE
|
LASTS
|
THE RISKS
|
|
Tweezing or Threading |
Tweezers pluck hairs one at a
time. With threading, an expert twists thread around each other. |
Tweezing, those with only a few
stray hairs on the face. Threading, those who have fine fuzz of any color. |
A couple of weeks |
Ingrown hairs, if hair is
particularly coarse or curly. |
|
Shaving |
Shaving cream and a razor
(manual or electric) are used to cut hair at skin surface. |
Experts do not recommend
shaving unless it’s a temporary fix between electrolysis sessions. |
One to three days, depending on
speed of regrowth. |
Thick, bristly stubble and
ingrowns, especially if you have curly hair or shave to close. |
|
Bleaching |
Bleach is spread onto unwanted
hair, left for about ten minutes (and rinsed off) |
Anyone fair, although it’s best
for short, fine hairs (white fuzz can be the most conspicuous). |
Two to three weeks |
Chemicals in bleach can
irritate skin that is being treated with Accutane, Retin-A, or glycolic acid. |
|
Waxing or Surgaring (a mixture
of lemon juice, sugar, and water that works like wax) |
The hot wax or sugar mixture
hardens on skin. When removed, it pulls hair out at the root. |
Anyone who isn’t sunburned,
taking Accutane, or using Retin-A. |
Two to six weeks. |
On coarser hair, follicles may
become inflamed. Can possibly cause scarring. |
|
Depilatory Cream |
The cream chemically softens
and dissolves hairs so they break off just below the skin’s surface. |
Anyone who doesn’t mind an
unpleasant sulfurous odor. |
Seven to ten days |
Some people react to the
chemicals, Mona Monaghan recommends doing a patch test first. |
|
Electrolysis |
A needle with an electric
current is inserted into each follicle, zapping the root so it won’t grow
back. |
Someone who doesn’t respond
well to tweezing or waxing and those with naturally straight hair. |
After a series of treatments,
forever. |
Scarring and hyperpigmentation.
See a licensed aesthetician that uses disposable needles. |
|
Laser or Pulsed Light |
Lasers use light to cook
follicles. Pulsed light sends multiple wavelengths to disable follicles. |
Lasers and pulsed light work
best on fair skin and hair with color.
In addition, TLD is able to offer the GentleYag Laser which works on
darker skin colors and suntanned skin. |
Can be permanent after five to
seven sessions. |
Unsafe for those who are
pregnant, taking Accutane, or treating arthritis with gold injections. |
