What should you do before laser treatment?
The most important step in preparation is your consultation. During this initial appointment, we will discuss risks, benefits, and ensure that laser hair removal is right for you. We will also recommend a few steps you can take to make the procedure more comfortable and improve results. These include:
- Avoid sun exposure – There are plenty of reasons for protecting your skin from UV rays, with the most important being skin cancer. Despite this, many people forget (or skip) sunscreen. If you are among them, you’ll need to be extra diligent in the weeks leading up to your appointment.
- Don’t disturb follicles – Waxing, tweezing, and similar hair removal techniques remove the entire hair, including the root. Because lasers target pigment within the follicle, it must be intact and undisturbed for optimal effectiveness. Patients are advised to avoid these types of do it yourself treatments at least a month prior to each laser session.
- Avoid certain medications and supplements – Over-the-counter NSAID pain medications, some dietary supplements, prescription blood thinners, and other substances can increase the risk of inflammation. During your consultation, it is important to tell your clinician about any medicines or supplements you take. We will discuss any that may be problematic, and recommend avoiding optional ones for several days or weeks. If you are taking any potentially problematic medications that were prescribed or recommended by a physician, we will recommend talking to him or her about potential alternatives.
- Shave – Unlike waxing, this does not disturb the hair follicles. Therefore, you can shave as often as needed before a laser session. Actually, we recommend shaving the treatment area the day before your appointment. The goal is for laser energy to reach pigment in the follicle. If hairs are long, some of it will be absorbed by the hair shaft, which can overheat the skin surface.
What does the laser hair removal procedure involve?
The actual procedure is surprisingly fast and gentle, thanks to advanced SPLENDOR X technology. The total appointment time depends on the size of the area being treated. However, with rapid fire technology and increased spot size, even a large area, such as the back, can be treated quickly.
- Before beginning, we will prepare the skin by cleansing and trimming hairs if necessary.
- Laser energy is delivered to the hair follicles, using a BLEND X enabled, handheld device
- Targeted follicles absorb energy and increase in temperature, while air cooling keeps the skin surface safe and comfortable
- The applicator is moved at a precise rate of speed, ensuring uniform energy delivery across the entire treatment area
How many appointments will you need?
In most cases, the first visit for a new patient will be a consultation. We will learn about your needs and goals, perform an evaluation, and discuss various options.
Follicles are not always growing hairs. They cycle through active and resting phases. Those in the resting phase will not respond to laser energy. Therefore, each session can only treat a percentage of hairs in the target region. For best results, you will need a series of at least six appointments.
What are the side effects of SPLENDOR X laser hair removal?
Because this advanced technology virtually eliminates “hotspots,” there is minimal effect on the epidermis. Therefore, normal laser hair removal side effects such as redness and swelling typically dissipate in just a few hours
