METROPOLITAN COSMETIC LASER CTR.
314-842-5600
Laser Hair Removal
In St. Louis and other cities, laser hair removals has become one of the best choices to remove unwanted hair for both women and men. At the med spa, you will be given a free consultation to determine your skin type and to see if you are a good candidate for laser hair removal. We will make sure to answer all of your questions, so that you are comfortable on how laser hair removal works as well as the treatments.
Is Laser Hair Removal painful?
Everyone's pain threshold is different, so it's very hard to give a definitive answer. Generally, with hair removal you get the same feeling as of waxing. However, with laser hair removal, it's a little different. Most of our customers say it feels like a quick rubber band snap, then the discomfort quickly subsides. If you have a low pain threshold, a topical anesthetic can be applied.
Is Laser Hair Removal for ME?
Are you a women tired of shaving her legs and underarms everyday because of razor rash? Are you a man that dreams of less hair on his chest/and or back for the summer? Then, Laser Hair Removal is for you!
The general consensus is that laser hair removal is permanent. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved laser hair removal, as "permanent reduction". This is because it's not permanent in ALL cases and all skin types. What does this mean? It means that laser hair removal will not remove every single hair in the treated area. Usually, a series of treatments are needed for best results. This can range from 8-12 (but can be more or less) depending on the area of treatment. What can effect the amount of treatments? There are numerous reasons such as the area being treated, hair texture, hair color, and skin color types. The most responsive, is light colored skin and dark course hair. But, success can be achieved on any skin type. Hair that is blonde, white, or gray do not respond well and are not guaranteed. Some patients do follow up treatments one to two times a year or longer.
How Laser work's:
Laser energy is absorbed by the pigment in the hair, while your hair is in the anagen stage, or active phase of growth:
The laser light is converted into heat, causing thermal damage to the follicle without harming the surrounding tissue. When the hair follicle is in the anagen stage and treated effectively, the follicle is then destroyed. The other two growth cycles of hair re-growth is impeded or slowed in the damaged follicle.
Average treatment series
Only 20% or less of your hair may be in the anagen phase at any one time, depending on the body area. Thus, a series of treatments will be required to achieve the long-term improvement you desire. These treatments are spaced approximately 4-12 weeks apart, based on hair growth cycles. Our extensive experience tells us that you can expect to need a minimum of 8-12 treatments (more or less) per treatment area, for long lasting optimal results.
Typical treatment sessions:
Sessions for an upper lip or chin can take as little as 5 minutes, while larger areas on back and legs may require up to 45 minutes or more.
What risks are involved?
Like any medical procedure, there is a possibility for side effects or complications to occur. While medical spas do all they can to reduce or eliminate side effects.
Normal Reactions:
- Redness can last up to 3 days
- Itching can occur during and after the treatments
- Swelling around the hair follicle can last up to 3 days
- Slight pain and maybe tingling... feelings of numbness until it wears off (if a anesthetic was used)
Rare Risks:
- Scabs or crusting might form after the treatment... this is usually on in-grown hairs
- Bruising
- Tanned areas may experience Purpura (a purple coloring of the skin)
- Infection
- A temporary pigment change (hypo-pigmentation or hyper-pigmentation)
Usually these side effects rarely occur and are usually just temporary. If any of these last more than 3 days make sure you contact our office.
Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent or Not?
12670 Lamplighter Sq, St. Louis, MO | (314) 842-5600 | METROLASER1@SBCGLOBAL.NET
