Laser hair removal

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BBL is an cutting-edge light-based technology that utilizes pulses of light energy to gently penetrate into the skin and specifically target, disable and get rid of unwanted hair follicles. This noninvasive treatment is a comfortable and easy treatment for the problem of unwanted body hair.

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Clear Scan is a noninvasive laser treatment for unwanted hair that selectively emits a beam of light that is thoroughly absorbed in melanin, a component inside the follicle that gives hair its colour, while at the same time sparing melanin in the skin.  For this reason, ClearScan is comfortable, safe and effective for all skin colors and even sun tanned skin.

Your practitioner will advise you as to which treatment is best suited for your skin type. In general most patients can be treated with BBL, however if you have a darker skin type (Asians, Mediterranean, Latin American), then Clearscan laser may be a safer and more effective treatment option.

BBL and Clearscan Laser delivers photothermal energy to hair follicles. Optimal results are achieved by your clinician selecting the appropriate wavelength for hair reduction, and tailoring the treatment to your skin type.

Hair grows in three stages, and when hair is in the anagen stage (growth) it is most vulnerable to light therapy. Laser selectively heats the full length of the imbedded hair follicle cutting off its supply of nutrients, thus disabling its growth. Because all hair is not always in the anagen stage at one time, multiple treatments must be given over time to treat it while it is in the anagen stage. Your clinician will design a treatment series to reflect your desire for hair reduction in particular body locations.

Common and long used methods for hair reduction include waxing, shaving, and the use of depilatory. Electrolysis is the traditional tried and tested method for permanent hair reduction. However, it is often very time-consuming, painful, and not without complications.

As technology has improved in this area, the most popular and effective method for hair reduction is the use of lasers or intense pulsed light, which are designed to damage and destroy many hairs at once, delivered in a  brief period of time with reduced side effects. People are interested in laser or light hair reduction because the end results are consistent and predictable within a reasonable time frame that fits their lifestyle.

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Laser hair removal offers patients a safe, fast, and effective alternative for dealing with unwanted hair and is safe enough to be used on any part of the body (e.g., face, neck, underarms, bikini line, legs, arms).

We commonly treat ingrown hairs (pseudofolliculitis barbae) on the face and neck . This condition is commonly seen in young men, and presents as an acne like eruption and scarring.

Excessive hair growth on the face and neck of females maybe due to hormonal imbalances such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.  Depending on the circumstances, hormonal testing maybe required in some people. Laser hair removal is an effective way of treating unwanted hair in this condition.

Yes, all tones of skin from light to dark can be treated, as well as safely treating tanned skin. Nevertheless, always inform your clinician if you have been tanning, using tanning products, or have experienced prolonged exposure to the sun within the last three weeks. . It is recommended that a person does not have sun exposure in the area to be treated for a period of 3 weeks prior to treatment.Self tanners must be faded from the skin for at least a week prior to treatment. You should always discuss with your clinician the possibility of tanning during your series so that a safe regimen can be tailored to your particular situation. Your clinician will then adjust your treatment regimen accordingly to give you the safest and most effective experience. For patients of darker skin types such as Asian, Mediterranean or Latino, the use of our Clearscan Nd Yag hair removal system will safely remove unwanted hair.

Your healing time will depend upon your actual treatment. In most cases, there is virtually no downtime and you may resume daily activity immediately. You may experience some redness after the procedure.

Hair can only be affected by light energy when it is in its anagen stage. Hair located on different body parts has different growth cycles and percentages of anagen hair at any one given time. Due to this physiology, a series of treatments must be given over a period of time, usually 4-8 weeks apart to address the growth cycle of the hair. This is why 3-6 treatments are required to achieve upto 80% reduction in hair growth.

Your eyes will be protected with safety shields or glasses. You may briefly feel a warm or “rubber band snap” sensation as the light is absorbed by the targeted areas. Typically, the procedure may take a few minutes to possibly half an hour depending on the size of the area to be treated and the type of procedure performed. The procedure is gentle, noninvasive and safe.The continuous cooling feature of the BBL or Clearscan will ensure your comfort and safety during treatment.  Generally, there is no need for a topical anesthetic but your clinicianmay choose to use it on more sensitive areas. Your clinicianwill discuss all of your options with you.

Laser hair reduction is most effective when the hair is one to two millimeters in length, so your clinician may ask you to shave or trim the area the day before your treatment. Do not apply cosmetics or creams to the areas to be treated on the day of the procedure.

Typically, each laser treatment will be associated with some permanent hair loss. Therefore, in most cases, hair reduction can only be achieved after several treatments. The number of treatments varies, and will depend on each patient's response to the laser hair reduction treatment and the amount of hair to be removed. Remember that the goal may not be total hair removal. Many patients are happy with a reasonable degree of hair reduction. Also, the hair that remains is often lighter in color and thinner than the original hair prior to laser hair reduction treatment.

Temporary pigmentation changes after laser hair removal is possible but seldom occur. Always discuss your concerns with your clinician prior to treatment.

Some localized redness in the area that was treated may appear, but that should resolve within a few hours. Results depend on your skin condition, the number and consistency of treatments, and the area treated. Your clinician will provide you with complete information about the post treatment care and results.

It is crucial to follow your clinician’s instructions and recommendations. You will be given some skin care products and instructions on how to use them. If you must go outdoors, it is recommended that you cover your treated skin and use sunblock of SPF 30. Skin care products including post laser lotion is included in our treatment price.

At Westside Dermatology  we use the latest laser technology to give the most effective and safest treatments to our clients. We individualize treatments for each skin and hair type. Additionally we can give you proper medical advice as to any underlying problem that may be causing your hair growth. If appropriate our dermatologist will also perform tests to exclude any hormonal cause of excessive hair growth.  In some situations a medically prescribed cream may further enhance the efficacy of laser hair removal. Unlike other hair removal centers, all laser treatments including laser hair removal are performed by Health Professionals. Our registered nurses have been performing laser procedures for the past 10 years.

Body

Face

Minimum charge for laser hair removal is $95 ( per session, inclusive of GST)