HOW DOES LASER HAIR REMOVAL WORK?

Hair removal lasers target pigment (colour). The specific wavelengths used are capable of detecting colours from light brown through to black. The laser removes hair by targeting the pigment (colour) of the hair, traveling down the shaft of the hair to the root so it can discharge its energy and destroy the root of the hair.

MY HAIR IS BLONDE/GRAY/GINGER. WILL LASER HAIR REMOVAL WORK FOR ME?

Unfortunately not. As we talked about above, the laser requires a pigment to work and hair with little or no colour cannot be detected.

I AM BLACK. I’VE BEEN TOLD I CANNOT HAVE LASER HAIR REMOVAL. IS THIS TRUE?

No. Dark skins can be safely treated with a so-called YAG laser which operates at a different wavelength from the more common Alex (alexandrite) laser. This wavelength is not harmful to even very dark skins. We have successfully and safely treated people of all skin colours.

MAY I HAVE LASER HAIR REMOVAL WHEN PREGNANT?

There is no evidence that laser treatment will damage an unborn child. The laser doesn’t penetrate deep enough to cause any harm. Having so said, at Tropicalaser we will not treat a pregnant woman without the written consent of her physician.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?

Laser hair removal requires multiple treatments. We recommend a course of 8 treatments to start with. The reason multiple treatments are required is that only hair in the anagen phase can be destroyed by the laser. (When hair is in the anagen phase, the root of the hair is still attached. In the other two phases, catagen and telogen, the hair has detached from the root.) The percentage of hair in the anagen phase varies, depending on the body part, ranging from about 20% on the legs to 35% on the face, hence the need for a course of treatment. The number of treatments is also dependent on a number of other factors, most importantly, adherence to schedule, colour of skin and hair, the thickness of hair, and ability to tolerate small incremental increases of energy between treatments.

HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO COME FOR TREATMENT?

We recommend treatment every 4 – 8 weeks. At the start of your treatment, we will suggest shorter intervals, but as your hair diminishes, we will lengthen the intervals between treatments.

IS IT REALLY PERMANENT

The short answer is yes. Laser hair removal does remove hair permanently. The longer answer is yes, laser hair removal is permanent but may not remove every single hair on your body. As we talked about above, light, fine hair will not be removed. Also, we may never catch every last hair in the anagen phase. And it should also be mentioned that normal hormonal changes can cause brand new hair growth which will have to be treated during touch-ups.

IS IT PAINFUL?

Sorry – this will have to wait for my next blog. In the meantime, if you can’t wait to find out the answer to this and many other questions, please contact us at (780) 705-6370 to schedule your free consultation.

IS IT PAINFUL?

At Tropicalaser we use Candela GentleMax lasers. The lasers blow a cooling gas onto the skin immediately after the laser pulse. This makes the treatment more comfortable.

The laser pulse is frequently described as being similar to the snapping of an elastic band on the skin. While this is an imperfect analogy, it is possible the best we have! Our well-trained technicians will work with you to make your treatment as comfortable as possible.

IS LASER HAIR REMOVAL SAFE?

When performed by competent, trained medical estheticians, using high quality and well-maintained devices, laser hair removal is safe. All laser treatments have potential side effects. Most of our clients go through a full course of treatment with no negative side effects. A small percentage will have side effects – for example, some hyperpigmentation – which are temporary. Your Tropicalaser guide will discuss all possible side effects with you at the time of your free consultation.

WHAT PARTS OF MY BODY CAN BE TREATED?

We can, and have, removed hair from every part of the body except: Inside the nose and ears;
Inside the ocular rim (which is the bone surrounding our eyes); Eyebrows (except for the unibrow which can be removed) because the laser beam is too wide to remove tiny strips of hair;
Inside the labia.

IS IT TRUE THAT I CAN’T GO INTO THE SUN DURING THE COURSE OF MY TREATMENT?

When we are sun-exposed, the melanin in our skin (which causes our skin to darken) becomes active. The laser detects the active melanin and can then target the skin surrounding the hair being lasered. This can result in unwanted side effects like blisters and burns. Our rule is no unprotected sun exposure for two weeks following treatment, and no laser for 3 weeks after unprotected sun exposure.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER THINGS I SHOULD AVOID?

There are a number of pre and post treatment precautions you should take. We will review these with you at your consultation and give you a take-home card listing these in full.

IS LASER HAIR REMOVAL EXPENSIVE?

Studies have shown that laser hair removal is cheaper than either waxing or shaving when viewed over a number of years. At Tropicalaser we have many treatment and payment plans which are surprisingly affordable. For example, we have full body laser hair removal memberships starting at $130/month, with a 2-year commitment.

HOW OLD DO I NEED TO BE TREATED?

We have clients as young as 15, but will not treat anyone under 18 without parental consent. At your consultation, we caution younger clients that if they are still going through puberty, laser hair removal should be delayed because hormonal changes at this stage may cause a great deal of new growth.

I’M READY TO LEARN MORE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Contact us to schedule your free consultation with one of our friendly staff.