Frequently Asked Questions

How many treatments does it take to clear an area?
Usually at least 7 treatments over the course of a year.

Should I expect to have 100% reduction in the treated area after the series of treatments?
No. Most clients experience a 70-90% reduction in the amount of hair in a given area. You should not expect a 100% reduction.

Is laser hair removal permanent?
Laser hair removal has been in use for some time, and stable hair loss has been reported as far back as seven years, and Candela has been clearance through the FDA to claim permanance. It still needs to be spoken of in terms of permanent "reduction" rather than "removal" since removal denotes 100% and that is not realistic.

Why does the hair appear to still be there, and will look like it's growing for 1-3 weeks post treatment?
The laser does not remove the hair at the time of treatment. The hair will fall out, or be "shed" 1-3 weeks after treatment.

Why does the laser not work well on blond, gray, or red hair?
The laser energy interacts with pigment or "melanin" in the hair root. Blond, gray, or red hair colors either do not have much or any melanin in them, or are of the type (pheomelanin) that do not absorb light as well as the other form of melanin (eumelanin).

Why must clients not use any form of epilation for 6 weeks prior to treatment with the GentleLASE?
The hair root has to be present for the laser to work. If the patient has removed it by waxing, plucking, or electrolysis, then there is nothing for the laser energy to interact with.

Why must tanning be avoided for 6 weeks before and after treatment?
Melanin formation in the skin as a response to sun exposure decreases the effectiveness of the treatment, as well as makes it more likely that the patient will experience hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation or blistering from the treatment.

Why must the area to be treated be shaved just prior, or up to 2 days before treatment?
Surface hair, if present, will be singed off increasing the risk of a burn, as well as taking up energy that does not get to the root of the hair follicle.

Can any area of the body be treated?
Yes, with the exception of eyelashes.

Does the treatment hurt?
There may be a slight stinging sensation felt during treatment. However, most clients who have waxed or had electrolysis report that it feels less painful than those types of treatments.

What are possible side effects of laser hair removal?
Rare side effects of laser treatment can include blistering, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation or scarring. Risks of these side effects are minimized if the client chooses a Certified Medical Electrologist and follows treatment instructions.

How long will the treatment last?
Small areas like underarms, back of the neck and bikini area are usually treated in just a few minutes, while larger areas like full legs or a full back can take up to an hour.

What will the treated area look like after the treatment?
The skin in the treated area will have some erythema or redness, and the hair follicles will "welt" up, looking like goose bumps on the skin for an hour or two, however this effect can last for up to a couple of days in some clients.

What is a "test area" and why is it performed?
"Test areas" are small areas of skin that are treated at various laser energy levels prior to treatment of large surface areas on darker skin types to determine the level of energy that is best for that individual. Light skin types generally don't have to have test areas done, but that is determined by the practitioner.

Does insurance cover/pay for the treatment?
Probably not. This is usually considered a cosmetic procedure.