How does hair grow?
The laser specialist will explain more during your consultation. Everyone's hair grows differently, depending on age, weight, metabolism, hormones, ethnicity, medications, and other factors.  But all hair goes through three distinct growth phases:

Active growth phase (called the Anagen phase), which can last up to 3 months. At any given time, 20-30% of our body hair is in this phase. During Anagen, the hair has an abundance of melanin and that is the key target for the laser light. To get the maximum result, 6 treatments are generally required to achieve 90-95% permanent hair reduction.

Regressive phase (Catagen phase), which lasts about 3 days, during which the hair stops growing but is not yet shed. About 3 - 4% of our body hair is in this phase at any given time. Many patients report that hair starts to shed immediately, and can be found on a towel following a shower. We recommend not waxing, tweezing or using any methods to remove the hairs following your laser treatments.
 
Resting phase (Telogen phase), which lasts 4-14 days, at the end of which the hair falls out and a new hair begins to form. Following the laser treatment the hair appears to still grow. These hairs are in fact club (dead) hairs and within 3-4 weeks the new hair from another active growth phase will begin to grow out of the same hair shaft. Remember that even though the hair is growing out of the same hair shaft, the follicle growing is new and is now ready for the laser light.

The Syneron System most effectively disables hair that is in the active growth (Anagen) phase. Because all the hair in a treated area may not be in the Anagen phase, more than one laser treatment is necessary to remove the hair that subsequently enters the growth phase. Our goal after 6 treatments is to have sustained 90-95% permanent hair reduction.

What does the treatment involve?
The patient is asked to wear eye protection. The skin is cooled as the laser is activated.  The size or the area treated will determine the number of laser activations, or "pulses" required.

What are the advantages over electrolysis?
With electrolysis, the operator inserts a needle into the hair shaft with the intention of reaching the follicle, then sends a small electrical charge designed to disable the follicle. The operator then removes that particular hair with tweezers. Hair removal is much faster with a laser as the laser is pulsed about once per second across the surface of the skin. Each laser pulse disables a large number of hair follicles at once.  Electrolysis operators can only treat those hairs that they can see and which they can reach the follicle through the hair shaft. A laser treats any "active" follicle, even if the hair has not yet reached the surface of the skin, or if the hair shaft is not straight.

How many sessions are needed?
Our treatment packages generally consist of 6-8 treatments. The number of sessions will vary according to skin type.  During the treatment, the laser disables those follicles in the "active" phase.  Follicles in the "dormant" phase will not be affected.  Since follicles cycle through "active" and "dormant" phases, six treatments usually will cover the cycling stages. 

Are there any side effects?
Immediately after the treatment the skin will look pink. Occasionally and rarely, a patient will have temporary pigment changes, blistering, or scabbing.  Your free consultation will cover procedures taken to give you good safe results.

How do I know if I'm a good candidate for laser hair removal?
Generally speaking, if you are concerned about unwanted hair, you are probably a candidate for hair removal. Lasers are a faster and easier alternative for hair reduction. We have the ability to treat any skin type and all hair colors.  The lighter the hair color ie: grey, blonde or red may require additional treatments.  The best hair color for effective  laser hair reduction is dark blond, brunette to black.
The majority of patients tolerate this sensation without anesthetics.  Within about 30 minutes of treatment, the area may become pink or red; this may last from a few hours.

How long does it take?
With this procedure, numerous hairs are removed at the same time. The amount of time needed depends on the size of the area to be treated. The lip usually takes less than five minutes; other areas, such as the leg, may take significantly longer.

How does Electrolysis work?
The procedure requires the use of a medical device called an epilator.  This device destroys the hair’s growth center by applying a shortwave radio frequency to its root.  To accomplish this, a trained technician inserts a fine probe into the opening of the hair follicle at the skin’s surface.  The dead hair is then removed with tweezers.

What can I expect during the treatment?
A slight, temporary reddening of the skin occurs during or immediately after the treatment.  The procedure has been described as a tingling sensation rather than painful.  How it feels, to you, depends on the area treated and your tolerance for discomfort. 

How often must I be treated?
Most hairs must be treated more than once to permanently destroy the growth center.  Also, hairs may be dormant at certain times of the year.  For this reason, we recommend 15 minute to one hour treatments (depending on the area of the body) at one-week intervals for several months. 

What can I expect?
The results you want with smooth beautiful skin.

How It Works:
A sticky wax is spread on the area of skin where the unwanted hair is growing. A cloth strip is then applied over the wax and quickly pulled off, taking the hair root and dead skin cells with it. The wax can be warmed or may be applied cold. Waxing can be done at a salon or at home.

How Long It Lasts:
3 to 6 weeks

Pros: Waxing leaves the area smooth and is long lasting. Waxing kits are readily available in drugstores and grocery stores. Hair regrowth looks lighter and less noticeable than it is after other methods of hair removal, such as shaving.

Cons: Many people say the biggest drawback to waxing is the discomfort: Because the treatment works by pulling hair out at the roots, it can sting a bit as the hair comes off — luckily that part is fast. People may notice temporary redness, inflammation, and bumps after waxing.

Professional waxing is more expensive than other hair removal methods. However, it can help to get a first waxing treatment done in a salon to watch how the professionals do it (because salon staff are used to waxing all parts of the male and female body there's no need to feel embarrassed!).

Teens who use acne medications such as tretinoin and isotretinoin may want to skip waxing because those medicines make the skin more sensitive. People with moles or skin irritation from sunburn should also avoid waxing.

Tips:
For waxing to work, hair should be at least ¼ inch (about 6 millimeters) long. So skip shaving for a few weeks before waxing. Waxing works well on the legs, bikini area, and eyebrows