Lasers and light sources produce bright beams of light that are preferentially absorbed by melanin (the pigment in hair), and causes thermal/heat damage to the hair shaft and follicle without damaging surrounding tissue. The hair follicle is damaged or occasionally destroyed and the dark terminal (adult) hair is either permanently removed or replaced with a vellus (fine, light colored) hair.

Traditional hair removal techniques, such as waxing, shaving, and plucking provide only temporary relief. Electrolysis, which may damage hair permanently, involves inserting a needle into each follicle and applying electric current, making it a painful, slow, and tedious process for hair removal.  Only small areas can be treated during a single visit with electrolysis, and many treatments over a period of months to years are required to achieve a satisfactory result, and pitted scarring occasionally may occur. The lasers and light sources used by our staff are safe, effective, and convenient and allow larger areas to be treated during a single visit, with improvement noticeable at times after only one treatment. Repeat treatments are required to achieve the best possible result.

You might experience mild to moderate discomfort similar to being snapped by a rubber band. Most patients tolerate the procedure without any anesthesia. However, if larger or sensitive areas are to be treated, a topical anesthesia cream is applied one hour before treatment. 

Immediately after the procedure, the treated area may appear slightly swollen and pink and might feel like a mild sunburn. This reaction subsides within minutes to hours. Cool compresses and a topical corticosteroid cream will hasten the disappearance of these symptoms.