Laser hair removal works because the laser energy is absorbed by melanin (a pigment) within the hair follicle. Most laser hair removal systems are very painful as the laser energy is applied to the skin. In addition, they only work for very dark, coarse hair and cannot be used on dark skinned patients.
Typically a patient will arrive at the med-spa and be greeted by a nurse practitioner or aesthetician. The region to be treated should not have had any active tanning for about four weeks prior to the procedure. If the patient has not shaved the area, this area is then comfortably shaved. A cooling lubricant is then applied to the area. The laser is then individually calibrated for each patient’s hair color, hair type and skin type. The laser is then placed on the skin and rubbed back and forth very quickly to transmit energy to the targeted hair follicles without causing any pain or discomfort for the patient. At the conclusion a comfortable moisturizer is applied to the skin.