MedCosmetics : Laser Hair Removal

Facial and body hair removal has become quite popular in the last two years. Hair removal was never a very complicated procedure. Options other than laser hair removal include shaving, waxing, plucking, electrolysis, and applied depilatory creams. These methods have to be repeated often. Now, both men and women can achieve permanent hair reduction through laser hair removal.

The key to effective laser hair removal is twofold. Your skin and hair type must be matched with the proper medical laser, and the person performing your hair removal must have adequate experience in its use. At MedCOSMETIC™, we have four entirely different lasers that can be used to make your treatment fast and effective. All of our aestheticians have been physician-trained and are required to enhance their knowledge through continuing education.

With laser hair removal, most people can successfully get rid of 80% or more of unwanted hair and are very happy with their new, smoother look. You can expect that you will need several treatments to get the best results. The number of treatments will vary with the areas treated and the type of hair to be removed. Women most often treat the lip and chin, bikini line, legs, underarms, and around the navel. Men usually treat the back, shoulders, and upper arms.

MedCOSMETIC™ is dedicated to the best results at the best prices. Remember, there is never a charge for consultations. Call 913-888-SKIN (7546) to schedule your visit, or book your consultation now.

Laser hair removal can take anywhere from five minutes (to remove hair on the lip) to forty-five minutes (to remove hair on the back and shoulders) depending on the area treated. During the treatment, you may experience a slight tingling sensation that most patients tolerate well. We will also cool your skin during the treatments, which also helps to reduce any discomfort. Whether your hair removal takes a few minutes or the better part of an hour, you can plan to return to work or to your normal daily routine immediately. However, it is important that the treated areas are shielded from the sun. You may use a sun block for this protection.

The laser light achieves hair removal by destroying hair at its source, the base of the follicle under the skin. The laser will shoot a concentrated beam of light that passes through your surface skin and is preferentially absorbed at the base of the hair shaft. When the light is absorbed, it is converted to heat. Once the base of the hair follicle heats up, the ability to grow new hair is destroyed.

Only hair in the active phase of growth can be effectively and permanently removed. Only a fraction of your hair follicles are in the active phase at any time. Thus, most people need multiple (usually 3-8) treatments to get the desired permanent effect.

The risks involved with laser hair removal are minimal. Your eyes will be shielded to avoid injury. There is a small risk of pigment changes and we rarely see any blisters. Our aestheticians and physicians are trained to calibrate the laser to each individual's skin type because everyone reacts differently to the beam. You will be provided with any further information you need during your consultation regarding lasers and any risks associated with laser hair removal.

At MedCOSMETIC™, we use both state-of-the-art cooling systems and anesthetic creams when necessary to reduce or eliminate any discomfort. Our lasers are fast and effective, thus reducing the cost of each treatment.

Is laser hair removal permanent?

At MedCOSMETIC™, we only use lasers that are approved for permanent hair reduction by the United States Federal Drug Administration. This means most patients will achieve long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing in the treated areas. The amount of permanent reduction increases with the number of treatments. Occasionally, you may have a few hairs regrow over a period of time.

What does it feel like?

Most patients feel a mild sting for a fraction of a second. At MedCOSMETIC™, we use a variety of skin cooling devices and, occasionally a topical anesthetic cream, to reduce or eliminate any discomfort.

How long do the treatments take?

We can treat some areas in only a few minutes. Others, such as the back or legs, require 20-40 minutes. For example, the underarms or bikini lines take only fifteen minutes.

How many treatments are necessary?

This is very important to understand. Hair goes through three stages of development. Only in the active stage will the laser affect hair removal. At any given time, only some of your hairs are in the active stage. For this reason, it is necessary to treat an area at least three times to see the best and longest lasting results. Most areas need to be treated 3-8 times.

Can you treat darker skin colors?

At MedCOSMETIC™, we have the newest lasers that have been specifically designed to treat all skin colors. These lasers were developed at Harvard University School of Medicine specifically for the treatment of people of color. They are safe, affordable, and can achieve the same permanent hair reduction as seen in lighter skin types.

Is laser hair removal safe?

Lasers have been in existence for more than thirty-five years and are used by a wide range of medical specialists, including Drs. Ellis and Mirabile. Since only light is used to remove hair, it is totally noninvasive. Your eyes will be shielded during the treatment. While there is a slight chance of skin irritation and pigment changes, these are rare due to the type of lasers used at MedCOSMETIC™ and the training of our staff.

What is the cost?

The cost of laser hair removal can be as low as sixty-five dollars per treatment. At MedCOSMETIC™, we can offer very competitive and affordable laser treatments because we only use fast, state-of-the art lasers. Please call us for specific costs…we are happy to provide that information over the phone.

Pre- and Post-Treatment Guidelines

Do not tweeze or wax for at least two to four weeks prior to your treatment.
Please make sure you remove or wash off all make-up or lotions prior to treatment.
If you are currently or have been on Accutane or Gold therapy, please inform the aesthetician or physician doing your treatment.
Do not actively tan several days prior to your treatment.
Please notify the aesthetician or physician doing your treatment of any changes in your medication.
Shave the area to be treated within 24 hours of your appointment.
Occasionally you may have a few hairs reappear over a period of time. We recommend one touch up treatment per year to maintain your reduction and treat any sparse hairs that have reappeared.

Post-treatment

Please use sun block on all treated areas after your treatment and avoid prolonged direct sun exposure or tanning.
The treated areas should be treated like mild sunburn with moisturizers, etc. Avoid bathing or washing in very hot water. Also avoid irritating medications or chemicals such as Retin-A, Benzoyl peroxide, glycolics, or astringents.
You may notice your hair continuing to grow after the treatment. This is normal and after a week or two, these hairs will fall out.

Until now, people of ethnic backgrounds such as African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Middle-Eastern could not safely enjoy the benefits of laser hair removal. Many have had to suffer the indignities of inappropriate hair growth, or infections and skin irritation.

NO MORE! At MedCOSMETIC™, we now have the capability to safely and effectively remove unwanted hair in all skin types. We have a new laser that can bypass the skin and still deliver enough light energy to the base of the hair follicle to achieve permanent hair reduction. This laser was recently developed at Harvard University School of Medicine and MedCOSMETIC™ is proud to have the first and only laser of this type in our community. Our staff has been specifically trained to use this laser on ethnic skin for permanent hair reduction.

This laser is available at our facility and you can schedule an appointment or call for further information at 913-888-SKIN (7546). Other than its ability to treat ethnic skin, this new laser has all the characteristics of our other lasers and you can expect the same results.