Ana Phang-Tan

LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Laser hair removal is most commonly used to eliminate unwanted hair: neck, back hair, facial hair, underarm, bikini hair and legs and arms.
Laser hair removal has become very effective over the past several years. It has now become the most effective, safe and preferred method for permanent hair reduction over traditional procedures such as waxing, plucking, shaving, and electrolysis for the right candidates with the best combination of skin and hair color.

HOW LASER HAIR REMOVAL WORKS:
The laser emits a beam of light at a very specific wavelength that is targeted and absorbed by melanin located in the hair and/or at the follicle growth center called the bulb which is located in the dermis layer of the skin. Melanin is the material that gives color to our hair and skin. The ideal candidate for this procedure is light skinned/dark hair people. The light beam is absorbed by dark objects, so light skin will not absorb the light energy and let it pass through to the dark hair causing a heat reaction and permanently destroying the hair follicle and bulb. At any given time, a certain percentage of hairs are in one of three growth cycle stages. Lasers are only effective in the final growth stage, when the melanin is at its fullest potential. Therefore, it takes an average of six treatments spaced four to six weeks apart to eliminate hair production in a given area.

PRE-VISIT
Below is a list of pre-visit instructions that should be strictly adhered to prior to each treatment.
1.Do not tan. Tanning of any type affects the absorption of light and is the most common cause of blistering
or skin burning after laser hair removal. Do not use any type of self-tanners two weeks prior to treatments.
2.No waxing, plucking, electrolysis, bleaching, or depilatories. These should be performed at
least two months prior to treatment. The hair must be present, a short stubble is most effective, and in state
of natural color for best efficiency.
3. Shave area at least one day before the session appointment.
4. Remove all lotions or make-up prior to your visit.
5. If any antibiotics or new medications have been started, inform your clinician.
6. If treating bikini line, wear light colored panties because the laser light is absorbed by dark colors.
7. If you have hormonal abnormalities like irregular periods or polycystic ovaries
8. If your hair is blonde, grey or white
9. If you continue to expose yourself to tanning, tanning beds or self-tanners.

SIDE EFECT:
After treatment, it is normal onset of transient erythema, redness in the treated area, edema or swelling around the hair and feeling hot and and itchy, which is enhanced with Aloe Vera moisturizers or healing. In addition, there may be other side effects, less common, associated with hair removal such as:hyper pigmentation, hypo pigmentation and crusting, which disappear in a few days.

DURING TREATMENT:
There may be mild discomfort during a treatment (similar to a slight rubber band snapping), but most clients tolerate it very easily. Lux Laser uses the Soprano XL (FDA approved device). Treatment times will vary from just a few minutes to an hour depending on the treatment area.

POST-TREATMENTN
1. Limit your sun exposure as possible subsequent to treatment.
2. Use a high SPF factor sunscreen when exposed to the sun between / and after treatments.
3. Cool any areas which remain warm after treatment with cooling aloe vera gels, cold compresses
or frozen gel packs.
4.Discontinue sun bed use and ‘fake tanning’ products.
5. Do not wax or tweeze treatment site between hair removal treatments.
6. Avoid extremely hot baths, whirlpools, saunas, or heavily chlorinated swimming pools for 12-24
hours subsequent to treatments.
7. For itching in the area treated, apply 1% hydrocortisone, or take Benadry/Claritin. Avoid vigorous
exercise for 12-24 hour subsequent to treatments.

EXPECTED RESULT:
After three to six treatments initially, most clients report that their expectations have been met and the hair growth pattern is much, much improved. In some areas, in addition to the decrease in the number of hairs, any remaining hairs are very fine and light in color. No clinic should claim that all the hairs will be permanently eradicated. Expect to need more treatments if you have any history of irregular periods, polycystic disease, grey or white hairs, or a family history of excessive hair. About 5% of clients are resistant to any type of hair removal laser treatments. It is important to have realistic expectations regarding individual results for hair removal. No hair removal system anywhere is “permanent”.
The number of sessions will vary depending on each person, their type of hair and skin, your age, your sex, the treatment area and amount, with an average 6-10 sessions, uninterrupted, to obtain the desired result.