How does Laser Hair removal laser work?

The lasers work by generating intense light through a handpiece, which effectively disables unwanted pigmented hair follicles, impairing hair growth.  The laser’s cool handpiece is placed gently on the skin and glides along as pulses of light are delivered from the laser.  When the light penetrates the skin, it selectively damages the root of unwanted hair. 

How does the laser treatment compare to other hair removal methods?

Shaving, waxing and depilatory creams provide temporary results and must be repeated on a frequent basis.  Electrolysis is tedious, invasive and often painful.  It involves inserting a needle into each hair follicle and delivering an electrical charge to destroy them one at a time.  Electrolysis often also requires years of treatments at regular intervals.  The laser treatment delivers non-invasive laser light energy to hundreds of hair follicles at one time.  In just a few minutes the laser can effectively treat an area that would take over an hour with electrolysis.

Is laser treatment safe?

Lasers have been in existence for many years and have been used by a wide range of medical specialists.  Since only light is used to remove hair it is totally non-invasive, therefore it does not cause some of the irritations typically found with other hair removal methods.

Are there any side effects?

Short-term side effects include slight reddening of the skin or local swelling.  These effects are typically transient. 

What are the laser treatments like?

When the pulse light is delivered, some patients experience a mild stinging or pinching sensation (like a light rubberband snap).  The medical lasers provided by ALS all  have built-in cooling tips and contact cooling methods that not only help to protect the skin but also helps to minimize the discomfort. 

How often do I need to be treated?

You will want to get on a 4-8 week schedule of treatments, as there is no advantage to scheduling your treatments closer together.  The laser only targets hair in the growth phase. 

How many treatments are required?

The number of treatments required depends on the area you wish to have treated, the hair density and your hair’s growth cycle. Many factors influence your hair growth such as age, weight, ethnicity, hormones, diet, medication and metabolism.  You can expect to need at least 6 - 12 treatments to obtain the best result.