QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
3. Most frequently asked questions about laser hair removal.
Is the hair gone forever?
Yes, hair removal is permanent. The laser energy destroys the “papilla”, which is the part of the hair follicle that generates protein hair fibers. This makes the follicle permanently unable to grow hair.
How many treatments does it take?
Complete treatment typically requires 4-5 sessions. This is because your hair grows in a cycle of 3 phases.
1. Active phase: when the papilla is present and the hair is actively growing out.
2. Mature phase: the papilla has disappeared and the hair has stopped growing… but isn’t falling out yet.
3. Dormant phase: the papilla is still gone, and the hair is falling out (“exfoliating”).
During each treatment the laser vaporizes all your hair regardless of which phase it’s in.
However, only the hair treated while it’s in the active growth phase has its papilla destroyed, and can never grow hair again. Other hairs that were in the mature or dormant phase when they were treated will cycle back into their active growth phases and will grow new hairs because their papilla was not destroyed.
That’s why it takes 4-5 treatments… to catch all of the hair in the active growth phase.
How long between treatments?
It depends on what part of your body you are treating. It takes between 4-10 weeks for hair follicles to cycle through all three growth phases. Therefore, depending on what part of your body you are treating, new hair growth will take between 4-10 weeks to appear at which time your next appointments will take place.
Example: Bikini or Underarm – typically 5-6 weeks
Legs or back – typically 10-12 weeks
Does it hurt?
The sensation is different for different people. Some people barely feel it, but most people say it’s like a small rubber band snap on your skin. Virtually everybody says it’s completely tolerable. In fact if you have ever been waxed, laser is like heaven compared to waxing!!
Treatments are very quick. The average treatment – such as a bikini line or underarms – takes only 5 minutes!
Also, AMMA uses the most advanced lasers in the world that have cooling systems integrated right into the laser, and keep your skin nice and cool, which minimizes any discomfort.
What do you look like after the treatment?
For most people, it’s barely noticeable! The treated area gets a little red or pink and should get a little “bumply”, like goose bumps, and maybe a little puffy. All this goes away in a few hours. (For even the most sensitive patients, 1-2 days at most)
Can you have laser treatments when you are
pregnant?
Not a problem. However, not on areas near your baby,
like bikini – line or belly.
Can you treat any type or color of hair?
The laser energy is absorbed by the pigment (melanin)
in your hair. So the more pigment you have in your hair,
that is – the darker and thicker your hair is
– the better your hair will treat.
White hair – that has no pigment at all –
won’t treat at all. Blonde or gray hair will treat
minimally – depending on exactly how much pigment
is in it.
However, AMMA now has a new pharmaceutical spray specially
formulated to put the pigment back into the follicle
of hair that has no pigment so that they can be treated
by the laser. You must come in and talk to the Laser
specialist to set this up.
Can you treat any type or color of skin?
AMMA has the most advanced, state of the art lasers
that are engineered for all types and colors of skin.
From milky – white to dark – rich –
black.
Can I shave or wax in – between treatments?
In order to treat the follicles, the hair must be in
them. When you pluck, tweeze, or wax, you are pulling
the hair out of the follicle, which makes the follicle
untreatable. Therefore, do NOT wax, pluck, tweeze or
use depilatories (“nair”) on the area you
want treated, for at least 3 weeks before your appointment.
Also, don’t wax, pluck, tweeze, or use depilatories,
between treatments.
If it is facial hair you want to remove, don’t
worry about having waxed, plucked, or tweezed…
Obviously, it might be unacceptable to let any facial
hair grow and be noticed… you simply need to get
started with treatments as soon as possible, so just
book an appointment as soon as you can.
It is OK to shave the area, because the hair is still
in the follicle and can be treated. However, though
not necessary, it is best to not shave for 2-3 days
prior to treatment, because visible stubble helps the
laser specialist target the area.
If I get more than one area done, is there
a price break?
There are volume discounts for patients that
are having multiple areas treated and pre-pay for a
combined package. The Treatment Center Administrator
will explain the details to you when you come in.
Contraindications:
1. No sun-tanning 3 weeks prior to treatments.
2. No use of chemical tanning creams 3 weeks prior to
treatments.
3. Certain skin ailments – come in for a consultation
and ask your doctor if it is OK before you come in.
4. Certain medications that cause “photosensitivity”
(make your skin sensitive to sun exposure). Come in
for a consult to discuss.
5. No use of Accutane (an acne medication) for 6 months
prior to treatment.
In regards to other spa services:
Before Treatment:
Hot tubs, steam and saunas – give yourself a 1
hr cooling – off rest before treatment.
After Treatment:
Your skin will be a bit sensitive, like a slight sunburn.
Therefore, hot tubs, sauna and steam might irritate
the treated skin and are not recommended. Also, massaging
the treated are might be uncomfortable.
After facial hair removal – facials are not recommended
for 2-3 days, or until the treated skin is no longer
sensitive.
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