Laser Hair Removal

For hair removal, The Centre, P.C. uses the GentleLASE® Laser System, a revolutionary long-pulse high energy alexandrite laser that emits a gentle beam of light, which passes through the skin to the hair follicle where it is absorbed.

The laser energy is transformed into heat, which destroys the hair follicle, leaving the surrounding skin unaffected. The skin is further protected during treatment by a Dynamic Cooling Device that sprays cryogen onto the skin, cooling the upper layers and providing patients with increased comfort.

What conditions are treated with the laser?
Traditional hair removal techniques, such as shaving, plucking, waxing and depilatory creams provide only temporary relief. Until now, the only way to remove hair permanently has been by electrolysis, which can be tedious, time-consuming and uncomfortable. The GentleLASE System safely removes unwanted body hair without damaging the delicate pores and structures of the skin. Facial and bikini areas are usually completed in under 10 minutes; legs, backs and larger areas can take longer.

What other conditions does the laser treat?
GentleLASE is also effective for the treatment of the large "blue" leg veins.

What does the treatment involve?
Depending on the amount of hair treated, the procedure varies from patient to patient. Generally, the treatment includes:

• Both the patient and practitioner are required to wear safety eyewear.
• A small handpiece touches the skin to deliver the laser light; a light spray of coolant will be felt just before each laser pulse.
• A test area will be done prior to the treatment. Your full treatment may be done on the same day or up to two weeks later, depending on the skin reaction.
• Most patients experience little discomfort. Patients with a lower pain threshold sometimes request topical anesthesia.
• The procedure can take as little as 10 minutes or up to an hour, depending on the area treated.
• The treated area may become pink or red within 30 minutes; this may last from a few hours to several days and is relieved with the application of ice or cooling gels.

What precautions should be taken before and after treatment?

• Avoid the sun 4-6 weeks before and after treatment or until your practitioner allows it.
• Avoid electrolysis, plucking or waxing hair for six weeks prior to treatment.
• If you have a history of perioral herpes, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be prescribed.
• If you have a dark skin type, a bleaching cream may be started 4-6 weeks before treatment to optimize results.

You should discuss your desired results and the improvements you expect to achieve with your practitioner. Together, you can decide if your expectations will be met and if this laser treatment is the best option.

How many treatments will I need?
Hair grows in cycles. The number of treatments required depends upon your skin color, hair color and coarseness of the hair. Everyone will require at least 2-3 treatments, as the process is effective on hair only during the early growing cycle. Repeat sessions will be necessary to treat these follicles when they re-enter the early growth phase.

What are the risks of laser hair removal?
Incomplete Removal. It frequently takes multiple treatments to achieve hair removal. While darker skinned people may be treated, lower energies are frequently required and the effectiveness of the treatments may also be reduced.

In particular, light hair (blond, red and white) may be treated, but the results are not consistent. Usually most, but not all of the hair, will be removed. Multiple types of lasers may need to be used to achieve the optimum effect. Occasionally, an individual will not respond to this treatment at all.

Change in Pigmentation. Darker skin colors may temporarily heal with a darker skin tone in the treated areas. Usually, this discoloration will fade, but it may take months to years for this to happen. More frequently, the skin may heal with a lighter color in the treated area. Although it may fade some, it can remain as a shadow of the treated area. Tanning will only make color change more apparent.

Scar. The area that is lasered may change in texture. It could appear as a shiny area or as a thickened red area. Although uncommon, a scar could develop in the areas treated. Very rarely, true keloid scars may develop.

Infection. Any time the skin is lasered, there is a small chance of a bacterial or viral infection. Antibiotic ointment should be used to reduce this risk. If the area treated is on the face or groin, or if there is a history of herpes, antiviral medications may be prescribed.

Will the hair grow back?
The appearance of "stubble" may show in 1-3 weeks. This is not hair regrowth. It is the remnant of treated hairs being expelled from the laser-damaged follicle. Gently rubbing with a warm, wet washcloth will remove these loose hairs. Irritation may result if you shave, pluck or tweeze.

Hair experiences three phases of growth: anagen, catagen and telogen. The goal in hair reduction is for the laser light to penetrate to the depth of the hair follicle during the anagen phase (when it reacts to laser light) to achieve long-term results. Hairs that were in the resting phase (telogen) at the time of treatment may enter the active phase (anagen) within 1-6 months, depending on the body area. Follow-up treatments may be performed within 1-2 weeks of new hair growth.

If you are considering laser hair removal, call or e-mail our cosmetic surgeons st The Centre, P.C. to schedule your consultation. The Centre, P.C. serves patients in Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana, Michiana and the Southern Michigan area, and Chicago.

RiverPointe Medical Building
500 Arcade Ave., Suite 300
Elkhart, IN 46514

Chesterton
810 Michael Drive, Suite K
Chesterton, IN 46304
Toll Free: 800.909.2992
Phone: 219.395.9200
Fax: 219.926.3534