256 Dundurn St. South Inside Viva Aesthetics & Spa Hamilton, Ontario L8P 4K9 |
A'Nue Laser Hair Removal |
FAQ's
Our most frequently asked questions about laser hair removal. If you do not find an
answer to your question below, please contact us.How does the laser work?
Will tanning affect my treatment?
How long do I have to wait between treatments?
What can I do with the hair between treatments?
Who is a candidate for laser hair treatments?
How many treatments will I need?
What areas can be treated?
What should I do before my treatment?
What should I do after?
Why the LightSheer Diode Laser?
Does the treatment hurt?
What can I expect during the treatment?
Is the LightSheer Diode FDA approved?
Is hair reduction permanent?
Is there an age limit for treatments?
Is it safe?
How long will the treatment take?
What about ingrown hairs?
Can I wear makeup?
How much will the treatment cost?
Is this covered by my insurance?
Is there a guarantee that this will work?
How does the laser work?
The laser targets the melanin, the pigment located in the hair bulb and shaft. The laser light energy causes thermal damage to the follicle. The damage causes delayed re-growth and permanent destruction to the follicle. The damage causes delayed re-growth and permanent damage of the hairs in anagen or growth phase.Will tanning affect my treatment?
A tan is damage to the skin. When it is damaged, it creates "tan" or colour. This is "melanin" deposits in the skin.
The laser is attracted to melanin. The technology in the LightSheer allows the skin to be cooled effectively to not
traumatize the "tan" but the energy of the laser must be reduced to accommodate a tan. Therefore the client may
require more treatments than someone without a tan. To have a more effective and aggressive treatment, it would
be better to not have a tan.How long do I have to wait between treatments?
Waiting time may vary with individuals. The general guideline is 4-6 weeks for neck and above areas and 8-12 weeks for areas below the neck.What can I do with the hair between treatments?
You should not have much hair to manage. If you need to, shaving or trimming is the most effective way to maintain between treatments.
Who is a candidate for laser hair treatments?
Anyone who has hair that is light brown to black. The LightSheer with it's patented chill tip at 4° C. allows clients with any skin colour to be treated safely and effectively.How many treatments will I need?
Hair grows in continuous cycles. The anagen or growth phase of hair contains the largest amounts of melanin and this phase is the laser's target. From scientific studies we understand that any area contains a maximum of 20-30% anagen hairs at one time. So the anagen hairs are affected each treatment. Most clients will require a minimum of three treatments up to six sessions. Repeated sessions are necessary. Finer hair and dark skin clients may require 6-8 treatments. If you suffer from a hormone imbalance your treatments may be ongoing. To have effective treatments it is imperative that they be sequenced. Every client expectations of hair loss are different. Some may be happy with 50-60% loss and may want to discontinue and others will want to continue until they reach their maximum loss of 70-95% No one will every be 100% hair free.What areas can be treated?
All areas of the body except for the area around the eye.What should I do before my treatment?
Try to avoid sun exposure Hair can be more aggressively treated without a fresh tan. Having hair is essential to having a successful treatment. You can not wax, tweeze, tread or have electrolysis for 4 weeks before a treatment. The best way to manage hair before is to shave, trim, bleach or use cream depilatories. The day of your treatment the hair will need to have been freshly shaved. If you suffer from cold sores often and are having your mouth area treated, you will need to get a prescription for Acyclovir or Zovarix and take as directed by your technician. Usually it is two days before and three days after your treatment. Purchase either Aloe, Vitamin E gel or sunburn creams and keep them in your fridge ready to go for after your treatment.What should I do after?
You will be given a post care treatment sheet and please follow the suggestions on it to have the best possible outcome.Why the LightSheer Diode Laser?
The LightSheer has numerous documented studies to demonstrate it's efficiency. With it's patented chill tip and 800mm wavelength and ability to have a variable pulse duration to affect hair, the LightSheer diod is considered the "gold standard" for hair lasers.Does the treatment hurt?
No treatment to remove unwanted hair is completely painless. LightSheer has the patented chill tip and compression of the skin which reduces the discomfort. The darker the hair, the more the client may feel the pulse of the laser. Clients that have previously waxed or had electrolysis usually find the treatments more tolerable. Most people describe the sensation as tingling or slight stinging. The first treatment is usually the most uncomfortable. There are some options to make the treatments more comfortable. You can take whatever you would normally take for a bad headache before your treatment. Ambesol that is used for toothaches can assist those having their upper lip treated. Emla™ is available. It is a topical anesthetic. You purchase it at your local pharmacy. The hair needs to be shaved first, then apply a thick layer and occlude with saran wrap. It works the best after it has been on for a minimum of 1-2 hours. Your technical can inform you of how many tubes you will need to purchase.
What can I expect during the treatment?
The area will be cleaned. A touch up shave will be done if there is still hair visible. You will be asked to sign a consent. Photos will be taken. Gel is applied to the skin and the laser is compressed into the skin and the treatment begins. You will notice a distinguishable aroma of lasered hair. This is a good sign and the smell will not hurt you. The skin will be cleaned frequently. After a gel will be applied to your skin.Is the LightSheer Diode FDA approved?
The laser was developed in 1994 and the first hair removal study began in July 1996. The FDA cleared the device for treatments in December 1997. The FDA then granted it's claim for permanent hair reduction in April 1999 after it demonstrated in a 3000 person study a better than 50% permanent hair loss after only three treatments.Is hair reduction permanent?
Yes. In 90% of individuals. Treatments work the most successfully on hair that is light brown to black. Blond, grey and some reds do not have enough melanin for the laser for the laser to absorb. Most clients will lose 20 - 30% of hair volume with each treatment. The FDA define permanence as a hair that does not regrow after 2 cycles of growth. Hair regrows in cycles between 4-12 weeks depending on the body area. There have now been reports of increased hair growth for females who have hair treated on their face. This accounts for 10% of the population.Is there an age limit for treatments?
It is suggested that girls have gone through puberty. All ages can benefit as long as they understand the process and potential side effects.
Is it safe?
Yes. A laser is an intense source of light that produces heat. It's target is melanin in the hair shaft. The wavelength of the LightSheer is attracted mostly to the melanin. The light is pulsed for a fraction of a second and the heat is then pulsed into the hair's melanin. The patented chill tip runs at 4° C and protects the epidermis. (the outer portion of the skin).How long will the treatment take?
This will depend on the size of the area being treated. Can take as short as 5 minutes to 2 hours. Your technician will inform you of the time required.What about ingrown hairs?
The laser will not create ingrown hairs. If you suffer from them the laser will produce an effective treatment to clear the ingrowns.Can I wear makeup?
Yes, as long as the skin is intact. If the skin is open anywhere you must use polysporin ointment on the open spots.How much will the treatment cost?
The cost will depend on the size of the area to be treated and the number of treatments that will be needed. Over time, laser has proven to be less costly than the ongoing methods such as waxing, shaving and electrolysis. You will be given a written quote for the area you are interested in.Is this covered by my insurance?
Most insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for cosmetic procedures. However consult your insurance company for more information.Is there a guarantee that this will work?
Laser reduction works 90% of the time in most individuals. Unfortunately 10% of people may not respond at all. This cannot be determined until after two treatments. If you attend all sessions as suggested you should obtain 70-95% permanent hair reduction. The only 100% guarantee in life is death and taxes.
Permanent Hair Reduction for all Skin Types