Unwanted Hair

There are several lasers and light devices that can be used for hair removal and provide hair reduction. Lasers and light devices are the most effective hair removal techniques, usually with very little pain . Skinovate uses the Candela Gentle Yag laser device that is safe and effective for all skin types.

Some of the most common questions we are asked are:

How does the laser treatment work?

The laser creates a beam of high-intensity light that penetrates deep into skin tissue where it delivers a controlled amount of targeted therapeutic heat. Candela’s patented Dynamic Cooling Device™ (DCD™) technology protects the upper layers of your skin with a cooling burst of cryogen.

What can I expect during treatment?

Treatments are performed by trained personnel. You will wear safety eyewear to protect your eyes from the laser light. Your laser practitioner will guide the laser to the treatment areas with a small hand piece. Each laser pulse may be preceded and followed by a short pulse of cooling spray. A treatment could take as little as a few minutes to as long as an hour, depending on the area and condition being treated.

Does it hurt?

Some patients may feel a slight discomfort with each laser pulse, sometimes described like the snapping of a rubber band on the skin. This discomfort resolves quickly and is minimized by Candela’s DCD cooling. For some patients, a topical anesthetic may be used prior to treatment. Be sure to discuss this with your practitioner.

How many treatment sessions will I need?

The number of sessions depends on the treatment you require and the condition of your skin. For hair removal, multiple treatments are required, as the process is most effective when the hair follicle is in its active growth phase. Other conditions may clear in as few as one treatment, but many factors impact the efficacy of individual laser treatments, including the severity of the condition being treated.

How do I prepare for treatment?

Patients scheduled for hair removal should avoid plucking, electrolysis or hair waxing for six weeks prior to treatment. If you have a history of herpes simplex virus and are scheduled for laser treatment, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be prescribed. Also, any hair should be completely removed by shaving, and your skin should be thoroughly cleaned and dried, removing any makeup, creams, oils, topical anesthetics, or self tanning products before laser treatment. The intended treatment area should not be exposed to sunlight or tanning booth light for 14 days prior to treatment. Before laser treatment, prevent sun exposure by applying sunblock (SPF30 or above).

What can I expect after treatment?

A cool compress or gel pack may be applied for comfort following your treatment. Any redness and swelling should resolve within a few hours. The hair may appear to continue to grow after the treatment, but is in fact shedding. This can take from 1-4 weeks and the hair will then fall out and re-growth is  usually slower, softer, finer, lighter and slightly patchy. This is because the hairs that were actively growing when you received your treatment have been damaged or destroyed. After each treatment progressively more unwanted hairs are destroyed, with the hair free areas becoming larger and more apparent.

What precautions should I take after treatment?

After laser treatment, prevent sun exposure by applying sunblock (SPF 30 or above). In the first few days after treatment, don’t scrub or rinse the treated areas with abrasive skin cleansers.

Are there any side effects?

The most common after-effect is redness of the skin that can last for a day or so. Slight blistering can occur but this is rare and will clear up within a few days. With certain skin types changes in skin colour can occur and you will be advised of any additional treatment necessary to prevent this.