How does laser hair removal work?

Very simply, laser hair removal kills hair follicles, or the structures that grow hair. Each session destroys the follicles beyond a point of repair, and thus hair will not continue to grow. Laser hair removal is a treatment that can be used on any body part, for all skin tones. There are no limitations on who we can treat, and what type of hair can be targeted. Hairs that are coarse can be targeted, as well as blond or fine hair.
Laser hair removal can be done with many different kinds of lasers or light energy; Alexandrite, Diode, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), nd: YAG or Electrolysis. They all work in different ways and have different benefits and risks. Based on our clinical research and our resulting personal favorite, we utilize a Diode system that is the absolute gold standard for hair removal. While consumers are often confused about which laser hair removal is the best (because EVERY clinic says their machine is the best) we have arranged all the facts you need to know to make an informed decision.

What Type of Lasers Do We Use?

Diode. Back around 1995 is when Diode first started gaining popularity. You may of heard of Light Sheer, which was the first system to allow skin types other than pale/very white skin to try laser hair removal. Since it was new, it was still cautioned against for dark skin tones, and you still had to stay out of the sun. This was also the first days that laser hair removal improved from extremely excruciating pain that was always a reality with the Alexandrite machines. Light Sheer Diode showed massive improvement from the lasers before it, and now, even more dramatic improvements has been made.

How does Diode compare to the lasers that others have?

Alexandrite, should NEVER be used on anyone who does not have very pale/white skin. It is extremely painful because it puts too much energy into the skin, and thus the risks of scarring are very common. You will know a clinic uses this machine if they tell you that you must avoid the sun for several weeks prior to your session or to stay out of the sun for the duration of your treatments. Alexandrite machines will cause severe hypopigmentation (white spotting) if the skin has any pigment. Since pigment is a target, it will pick up the laser energy before the root of the hair follicle will. Thus the "burn" that is supposed to happen in the hair follicle will happen outside of the skin. You will also know a clinic uses this machine if they tell you that you MUST shave the day of, or the day before your treatment. That is because any hair the is visible will catch the laser energy first, thus failing to allow the ROOT of the hair follicles to receive it. This means that again, the "burn" will happen on the skin as opposed to the root of the follicle, where it should be to damage the follicle.

YAG, or Nd: Yag. Yag is a type of hair removal is that ideal for darker skin tones, meaning lighter skin tones wont receive the best benefits, especially if they have blond or fine hair. Yag lasers will not target lighter hairs effectively. Additionally, most YAG lasers are combination lasers, meaning they also do treatments for tattoo removal, scar removal and other treatments for the correction of skin pigment abnormalities. They are also very PAINFUL treatments, so we believe it's best to reserve YAG for treatments other than hair removal.

IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light. This is NOT a laser, it's a light, that tries to imitate the strength of a laser. While it can come close, it's still a treatment that is best reserved for other types of treatments it can do, like an IPL facial. We like IPL for anything other than hair removal. Prepare to experience some pain with this type of procedure as well.
Electrolysis was the predecessor to laser hair removal. It used electricity to burn the hair follicles and thus damage them beyond a point of repair. Electrolysis was only ideal for very small areas, as a needle would have to penetrate the skin at the site of the hair, to zap with electricity. This is an extremely painful procedure as well as time consuming. We believe electrolysis is best for WHITE HAIRS ONLY.

Our Advantage

Our Diode systems: Alma's Soprano XL Super Hair Removal, and XLI Soprano, are superior for multiple reasons. First and foremost, EVERY SKIN TYPE CAN BE TREATED. There are no limitations on who we can treat. Each person gets a specificially tailored treatment based on their skin tone and hair type. Each session can be performed at the highest laser power for maximum effectiveness.

Secondly, we can laser while you are tanning! There is no need to stay out of the sun. While it is best to take great care of your skin, such as wearing a sunscreen whenever possible, and using an SPF of at least 2 if you plan to tan right after your laser session, we are able to safely provide laser hair removal no matter how dark your tan is. To ensure the safest care of your skin, we always do a test to make sure you have no adverse reactions whatsoeer.

Third, it's painless! We do not use numbing cream for any of the procedures as it is not necessary. There are a few exceptions, like the upper lip, which is very sensitive because of the lip line, and areas like the knees, shins or feet, which have thinner skin over bone. Those areas do feel a sensation, but it's more like discomfort than typical pain of laser hair removal that most people hear horror stories about.

Fourth, with our lasers, we can go over the areas multiple times, NOT JUST ONCE as other lasers limit. When our Nurse Genie's do treatments like the face, for example, they not only go over all areas multiple times, but they overlap numerous times, and literally laser every last millimeter! Of course this treatment is way superior to other types of lasers that "shoot" the area with a one inch square point, and the technician has to do the face is segments. Of course it's inevitable that missed areas occur. Not with us!

The Results

We know that you will be absolutely thrilled with your results. However, it's important to understand that while the results of laser hair removal are fantastic, they will need to be maintained. Meaning that you should not expect that 5 or 10 sessions will be all that you will need for the rest of your life. We pride ourselves with only giving the honest and ethical facts about what results you can expect, and we realize that what we are telling you may be completely different than what you have heard from other clinics. Generally you should expect THAT EACH SESSION of laser hair removal to REDUCE the hair a certain percentage. We have noticed that it is usually 90% less after the first treatment, with a sudden what seems like an abnormal spike in hair growth about 4 months thereafter. We usually like to do the treatments right after any such sudden spike in hair growth, so that we may "set fire to the field" of hair again. After a few sessions, you will see that your hair is no longer annoying you on a daily basis, causing ingrown hairs, or as thick as it once was. With continued sessions, you will continue to keep the hair at a very minimal, almost completely gone state. Keep in mind that you will need to continue sessions once every 3 to 6 months after your base amount of treatments.

As the years go on, you will see that you can space out your treatments even more than 3 to 6 months between, as your hair will be very sparse or few-and-far-between. Spending that one hour with us every so often wont be so bad considering you used to once shave for at least 20 minutes every other day! We promise to keep you entertained on each of your visits, so you run to us screaming that you "Love the Genie." Yes, it's happened before.

Please also know that we always do our best for you from the very first treatment and give you the maximum laser setting that we possibly can, but you must understand that there are limitations that the Nurse Genies must exercise so that you have NO adverse reactions such as permanent scarring. Some clinics like to start on a lower setting on your first visit, and then "graduate" you up as your sessions proceed, while this may be very cautious, we believe it also waste time, as some believe that the best results are not seen in the early treatments.

Why Do I Need Multiple Treatments?

To explain the reasons for the results explained above, it is important to understand that hair grows in phases. When we start your first treatment, not every hair is in an "active" phase. Active hairs, or anagen phase, are hairs that are connected to the blood supply and actively growing (the cells in the root of the hair are dividing rapidly, adding to the hair shaft). It is these hairs that are effectively lasered.

While we suggest one session every 4 to 6 weeks, it is to allow hair to come to an anagen, or active phase. The amount of time the hair follicle stays in the anagen phase is genetically determined, so the best we can do is time them at 4 to 6 week intervals to "catch" them. It can never be guaranteed that hairs lasered are active.

At the end of the anagen phase the follicles to go into the catagen phase. The catagen phase is a short transition stage where a new hair is being formed. Although laser hair removal does vaporize these hairs, it does not target them from future growth as they have not damaged the root of the hair follicle.
The telogen phase is the final phase where the hair follicle is resting and is shedding. At any given time, 10%-15% of all hairs are in the telogen phase. This phase lasts for about 100 days for hairs on the scalp and much longer for hairs on the eyebrow, eyelash, arms and legs. These are the hairs that you will first see sprout up after we do a laser session. This will trigger you to think that the treatment did not work, or actually made more hair grow. Please know that the range of energy available for laser hair removal can never promote MORE hair growth. While some light spectrums can promote the faster synthesis of hairs, laser hair removal energies cannot ever do this. It is therefore impossible for laser hair removal to promote more hair growth.

Side Effects and Post Procedure Care

Is there a possibility of scarring?
No not at all. We use a type of laser that is safe for all skin tones. This type of laser hair removal bypasses any pigment in the skin, which is why we can also laser on tanned skin.

Why do I have these red bumps?
A short-term onset of red bumps is a normal reaction to any laser. These are just dead hairs caught in the skin, and NOT ingrown hairs. Scrubbing will promote release of the hair, at which point shaving or plucking is suggested. Use of a hydro-cortisone cream or aloe-vera gel will help soothe the skin.

Why hasn’t my hair fallen out yet?
After your laser session, it is normal that your hairs remain intact or appear as if they are growing. These hairs are in the process of coming out of the skin, and you will need to continue shaving until the hair is short enough to fall out.

Why do I have stubble?
During the first few weeks after your laser session, you will feel as if you are not getting a close shave or that the hairs are very sharp and painful against your clothing. This is normal. Please continue shaving and scrubbing.

Why is my skin dry?
Laser is a form of light, like the sun, and can sometimes promote the skin to be drier than usual. Please increase your use of creams or lotions. Baby oil or a thick cream will work wonders.

Why do I need to wear sunscreen after my laser session?
Since we suggest increased scrubbing of your skin, it is even more critical to be consistent with sunscreen. Even if you just "step out for 5 minutes" you need to wear sunscreen. Please wear an SPF of at least 15. Sunscreen is the cheapest defense against premature aging.

Touch-Up Sessions.
Your hair growth may appear “patchy” after each laser session. While this is very common, it is more common for men than woman. Patchy areas will be targeted on your subsequent treatments.