Do I need to go to a doctor or is it safe to go to a Spa?
While you don’t necessarily need to go to a doctor’s office for a laser hair removal procedure, you do need a doctor present. Dr. Luem suggests looking for a medspa or laser hair removal clinic that’s ran by a doctor. A big factor being some medications including antibiotics can make your skin sensitive to the laser, a doctor will be the one to know what medications can’t be taken while getting laser hair removal. It’s very important the doctor does the initial consult and examines the patient seeking treatment. Here at Gentle Touch Laser in Newport Beach Orange County, one of our board certified physicians always consults prior to having your first treatment.
What’s the best laser hair removal machine?
The larger the spot size of the laser, the better. With a larger spot size, you’ll get better depth in penetration to the tissue while being able to cover larger areas of the body making it faster and more efficient. Here at OC Hair Removal in Newport Beach we use Candela’s Gentle Yag which is known to have one of the largest spot size on the market. A Medical practice with a long history of success in laser hair removal will likely have up to date technology and will be able to provide you with the safest and most effective treatment.
How many sessions do I need to get successful results?
Every patient is different, and it depends considerably on your personal physiology. Typically 6-8 sessions are recommended for optimal results and to achieve permanent hair reduction. Its extremely important that you complete your recommended sessions and have them spaced out between 4-6 weeks. Reason being, there are 3 phases in the hair growth cycle and laser is only affective in the anagen (growth) phase.
Is laser permanent?
Laser Hair removal in Orange County seems to be overpromised as a “permanent” solution when in reality this isn’t necessarily correct. Single hairs may be permanently removed if the follicle is destroyed and that single follicle will not regrow. However, you should expect approximately 70% of permanent hair reduction, while the remainder will be thinner, finer and will grow much slower. On the contrary, over time your body will regenerate new hair follicles, so new hair growth will occur. This is why its recommended after the initial 6-8 sessions, you should undergo maintenance treatments twice yearly targeting any new hairs. To sum it up, YES, single hairs are permanently removed however 100% removal just isn’t feasible.
Will it work on my skin type and hair color?
In the earlier stages of laser, only fair skinned people with dark hair could have treatment done. Fortunately, today there’s a laser that can remove hair from just about everyone. Keep in mind, that darker hair responds best to laser. If your hair is extremely light, it may take more sessions to get results as it’s the melanin in the hair follicle that absorbs the laser energy. The less melanin your hair follicle has (e.g. the lighter your hair) the less energy that’s absorbed. We customize your treatment in order to exactly match your hair type and skin color so we can make sure your treatment is as comfortable as possible.
Is it painful?
Many have said laser hair removal feels as if a rubber band is snapping against the skin while others don’t feel anything at all. Our laser has a patented cooling device built in and essentially numbs the skin with a fine burst of cooling spray right before the laser reaches the skin. This helps patients in their overall experience with laser tremendously.
How long till I start to see results?
One common misunderstanding is that only 1 or 2 sessions are needed and poof! All your hair has disappeared for good. This is not the case. Laser hair removal requires many treatments. The first treatment rarely produces a visible result. Several treatments are needed to attack the hair follicle. Be patient and you should start to see your results in about 4-6 weeks.
If you’d like more information or to schedule a consultation at our award winning laser removal clinic in Newport Beach | Orange County, please call 949-528-3864
