Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is by far the best long-term solution for unwanted face and body hair. At Timeless Laser & Skin Care in Westlake, OH, we offer small area laser hair removal treatments that can help you achieve a smooth, hair-free look. If you are ready to say goodbye to shaving, plucking, waxing, and depilatory creams, it may be time to consider laser hair treatments.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
At Timeless Laser & Skin Care, we use the Cutera XEO and Excel V lasers for permanent laser hair reduction. Coupled with our proactive approach, these lasers provide comfortable and effective treatments. Each session uses a specific laser energy to heat and destroy hair follicles. This either outright destroys the hairs or reduces their size and, eventually, eliminates the unwanted hair.
At Timeless Laser & Skin Care, we use the Cutera XEO and Excel V lasers for permanent laser hair reduction. Coupled with our proactive approach, these lasers provide a comfortable and effective treatment. Each uses a specific laser energy to heat and destroy hair follicles. This either outright destroys the hairs or reduces their size and, eventually, eliminates the unwanted hair.
How It Works
Laser therapy treatments work by damaging the hair follicles in a designated treatment area. All of the laser therapy sessions at Timeless Laser & Skin Care are performed by Dr. Christian herself. Patients will never be treated by a medical assistant or nurse.
The Cutera XEO and Excel V lasers are designed to treat skin of any color. This is unusual among hair removal lasers, as most can only be used on fair skin. The lasers emit pulses of light with a selected specific wavelength that targets the hair, while protecting the surrounding tissue. The light is absorbed by the melanin in the root of your hair where hair growth occurs. The light is then converted to heat, which damages or destroys the hair. Our lasers are designed to treat small areas of the body. We can perform laser removal treatments on hair that is growing on your cheeks, chin, lips, jaw, and underarms. Add-on areas, if you are scheduled for one or more of the primary areas listed above, include the unibrow, ears, areola, fingers, feet, and toes.
While we focus on small treatment locations, we have found that the best results are achieved when we address the entire area in question, not just to the visible hairs in that area. Hair grows in cycles, so treating the entire area allows Dr. Christian to capture hairs that are still under the skin but not visible yet. This results in a more uniform and attractive final result.
What Is A Treatment Like?
In most cases, complete treatments can be performed in less than 30 minutes from start to finish. Dr. Christian will ensure the laser is adjusted to your specific skin tone and hair parameters for the best results. Some hairs are vaporized at the time of the treatment, and some hairs fall out gradually 10-14 days after being lasered.
Most people liken the experience to a hot rubber band snapping against the skin. Our office prescribes a compounded topical numbing cream to patients. Applied about one hour prior to your treatment, it can help alleviate any discomfort you might feel. We ask that you keep the numbing cream on until you we remove it just prior to your laser treatments.
If you are concerned about how the treatment will feel or you want another option to ensure your comfort, we also offer Pro-Nox. This form of patient-controlled, inhaled nitrous oxide allows you to remain comfortable and relaxed throughout the entire treatment session. Pro-Nox is an excellent solution for patients who are prone to anxiety.
How Many Treatments Sessions Are Necessary?
While patients can expect to see some results after the first treatment, most will need to come in for multiple appointments before the full desired results are achieved. There are several factors that can influence the number of treatments necessary.
Patients with light skin tones will usually respond more quickly to treatment and, therefore, require fewer sessions than individuals with darker skin tones. Hair thickness and density also affect the outcomes of each treatment session. In general, patients require a minimum of 6 treatments to reach their treatment goals.
Each appointment will be scheduled at specific intervals. Both the part of the body being treated and the size of the treatment area will play a large role in this decision. Generally, patients can expect to wait between six and 10 weeks between laser treatment sessions.
We haven’t changed your DNA. For whatever reason, you developed the unwanted facial or body hair in the first place, and that process is still present. However, you will now be starting from a clean slate, not with years or decades of accumulated hair growth. Some patients find that the best results are achieved with periodic maintenance treatments. Performed over time, these help to minimize any residual hair growth.
What is the Recovery Process?
There is very little downtime or formal recovery after a laser hair treatment. You may want to apply cool compresses or moisturizers to the treatment area to improve comfort. Additionally, zinc-based sunscreen must be applied to any treated skin throughout the treatment course, regardless of a patient’s tendency to tan or burn. Zinc-based sunscreen helps avoid any post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Who Is This Right For?
Laser hair treatments are an ideal solution for people – both men and women – looking to remove hair permanently. Thanks to the precision of the Cutera XEO and Excel V lasers, we are able to offer treatment to individuals with varying skin tones.
The best way to determine if laser removal is right for you is to have a direct consultation with Dr. Christian. At your appointment, you can ask questions and establish whether you are an ideal candidate for the treatments.
While a personal consultation will ultimately determine suitability, there are a few ways to decide if laser hair therapy warrants further investigation. In general, if you can relate to any of these statements, then you could be a good candidate for treatment:
You want to permanently remove hair from a small area of your body
You have tried other hair removal techniques such as plucking, waxing, and shaving
You want to have a professional treatment performed by a licensed doctor
You have visible hair growth in the desired treatment area
Laser Therapy for Long Lasting Results
Laser hair removal is a long-lasting option that has worked for hundreds of women and men at Timeless Laser & Skin Care. It is a safe and effective treatment that is suitable for most adults. If you are ready to learn how laser hair treatments can help you achieve your aesthetic goals, we are here to help. A personal and private consultation with Dr. Christian can provide the answers to your questions.
