Laser Hair Removal is a treatment that most women would love to have! I thought of never having to do ‘shower yoga’ again to get rid of those tricky hairs is enough to have the majority of women wanting, but rarely seeking the semi-permanent treatment. Apprehensions of cost, efficacy, and pain are all legitimate concerns that may be deterring you from scheduling your consultation—allow us to put your mind at ease and address these concerns with you.
How does Laser Hair Removal work?
The lasers that we use at RL Center for Cosmetic Surgery and Medspa are superior medical grade lasers that are likely to be much more effective than the lasers you may find at a salon or waxing boutique.
The treatment is effective because the laser is attracted to the dark melanin pigmentation within the hair that is usually in contrast to the light melanin pigmentation in the skin.
For patients who have dark hair and dark skin, laser hair removal is still an option for you! We are able to prescribe a topical skin bleaching cream to temporarily lighten the skin to increase the chances of optimal hair removal. The bleaching cream can be purchased in our office and should be in use for up to 2 weeks before the treatment.
The pulsed light of the laser is then attracted to the dark coloration of the hair and travels down the shaft to the hair follicle; killing the hair follicle over time with a series of treatments. Laser Hair Removal is actually incorrectly named—the correct term is Laser Hair Reduction because even though the treatment is effective, it can never be guaranteed that the hair will be permanently removed for every patient.
Does Laser Hair Removal work for everyone?
Laser Hair Removal is effective for 95% of patients regardless of skin color. However, it is possible that the treatment can increase the amount of hair present and increase the rate of growth in select patients. Studies have shown that the increase in hair is rare and typically only occurs in people of Indian descent. The reason for this increase and lack of response to the treatment is unknown and rare- yet possible. What areas can be treated? Virtually any area of the body can be treated for Laser Hair Removal and there are essentially no areas that are universally unable to receive the treatment. How long are the treatments? Treatment times are subjective to the area being treated. Smaller areas will require less treatment time, while larger areas will require more treatment time. The smallest and fastest of treatment areas like the upper lip or chin will only require approximately 10 minutes, while the largest of areas like full leg (ankle to thigh) will take up to 2 hours. How many treatments will I need? Laser Hair Removal produces the best results when you treat the area more than once. At RL Center for Cosmetic Surgery and Medspa, we offer treatments in packages of 4 to ensure that you will get the full benefit of multiple treatments with the best pricing available. The reason for this is because hair grows in stages; for facial hair the cycle is between 4-6 weeks, and body hair grows on a 8-10 week cycle. The hairs that are in the active growth phase are the follicles that will benefit the most from the laser treatment. If the hair has recently fallen out due to natural shedding, then there is no hair at the follicle to treat. Treating the area repeatedly over the course of several months is the best way to ensure that we are targeting every hair follicle in its growth phase eventually. Is it painful? Commenting on how painful the treatment is subjective to each patient’s individual pain tolerance. Some patients describe the treatment as more “uncomfortable” than “painful,” while other patients require an over-the-counter pain reliever and topical numbing to endure the treatment. Regardless of what your individual pain tolerance may be, the treatment can be described as feeling as if a rubber band is being snapped against the skin. However, different areas may be more sensitive to treat than others. For example, patients often report that the upper lip is more sensitive and experiences more pain than the upper leg (thigh) area due to the amount of fat and nerve endings in the area.
How much does Laser Hair Removal cost?
The cost of Laser Hair Removal is dependent on the area being treated. At RL Center for Cosmetic Surgery and Medspa, we offer very competitive package pricing for the patient who understands that multiple treatments are necessary to receive optimal results. By taking advantage of these package opportunities, you are ensuring that you are reserving the best possible price for the treatment.
A package of 4 treatments to one area can range anywhere from $300 to $1,200. We also have “touch-up” pricing available for the patient who has already had Laser Hair Removal with us, but requires a touch-up treatment every 6 months to a year—which is typical for all Laser Hair Removal patients.
Touch up pricing is usually sold ‘per treatment’ and not typically sold in packages, yet touch up package pricing is available for those looking for the best deal. Pricing for touch up treatments are significantly more cost effective than initial treatments; ranging anywhere from $50 to $300 per treatment, depending on the area. However, we also have an in-house discount program that will allow you to take 10% off all products and services for 1 year.
We also run monthly specials on a rotation of various treatments including Laser Hair Removal, which can save you several hundred dollars depending on your packages and the discounts available. And for those patients who wish to take advantage of the very best possible price on more than one package, we offer a “buy 2 area packages, get 1 area package free.”
Have a question not covered here in our Laser Hair Removal FAQ? If you or someone you know would like more information on Laser Hair Removal, contact us today for a consultation.
