A: IPL is not a laser; it is a xenon flash lamp. In contrast to laser hair removal, IPL devices were developed for the purpose of photorejuvenation. IPL requires more total sessions to achieve a genuinely permanent result. An IPL does not concentrate on just one target because it uses a range of wavelengths, so light goes in various directions. Therefore, the results are not as successful as with the diode laser, which is a targeted beam at one consistent wavelength.
A: Most people with lighter skin should feel no pain as they will undergo laser hair removal with the LightSheer(r) Duet(tm). It is considered the latest and most pain free form of hair removal. Other people describe the feeling similar to a pinch of a rubber band. Although pain is an individual feeling, most clients express the sensation as very tolerable.
A: Avoid sun exposure. Hair can be more aggressively treated without a fresh tan. Having hair is essential to having a successful treatment. You cannot wax, tweeze, thread or have electrolysis for 6 weeks before a treatment. The best way to manage hair before is to shave, trim, or use cream depilatories. The day of your treatment the hair will need to be freshly shaved.
A: After a treatment the skin may be red and bumpy for up to 48 hrs. This is absolutely normal. Post treatment, we recommend protecting the area from the sun to avoid any additional heat to the area. Avoid exercise, saunas, and other activities which may irritate the area or induce heat for 24-48 hours immediately after treatment. Do not use any heavy perfumed soaps or creams. You can apply a soothing aloe gel and cleanse with a mild soap as advised by our laser technicians.
A: Hair grows in continuous cycles. The anagen or growth phase of hair contains the largest amounts of melanin and this phase is the laser's target. From scientific studies we understand that any area contains an average of 20% of anagen hairs at one time, thus, these anagen hairs are affected each treatment. Most clients will require a minimum of 5 treatments. Finer hair and clients with darker skin, may require additional treatments. If you suffer from a hormone imbalance, we suggest that you discuss with one of our Medical Laser technicians.
A: Waiting time may vary with individuals. The general guideline is 4-6 weeks for neck and above areas and 6-8 weeks for areas below the neck.
A: You should not have much hair to manage. If you need to, shaving or trimming is the most effective way to manage hair growth between treatments. Do not pluck or wax hairs as this may have a negative effect on subsequent treatments.
A: The LightSheer Duet laser has been cleared by the FDA for hair removal and permanent hair reduction on all skin types and tanned skin. To achieve a satisfactory level of clearance, 5-8 treatments are typically required.
A: The laser will not create ingrown hairs. If you suffer from them the laser will produce an effective treatment to clear the ingrown hairs.
A: A tan is damage to the skin. When it is damaged it creates "tan" or melanin deposits in the skin. The laser is attracted to melanin, therefore the energy of the laser must be reduced to accommodate a tan. A client with a tan may require more treatments than someone without a tan. To have the best results possible it is recommended to stay out of the sun and avoid self tanning products in the areas you want to treat, for 4 weeks prior to starting a laser hair removal program.
A: The laser is seeking melanin (pigment) in the hair follicle. Grey, white or very blonde hair lack melanin, which makes it hard for the laser to target and destroy them. For darker blonde or red hair, as long as there is enough color contrast between the skin and hair, results may be effective. We typically recommend 2 sessions to evaluate whether the hair is responding to the treatments.
A: The laser was developed in 1994 and the first hair removal study began in July 1996. The FDA cleared the device for treatments in December 1997. The FDA then granted it's claim for permanent hair reduction in April 1999 after it demonstrated in a 3000 person study a better than 50% permanent hair loss after only 3 treatments.
