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How does laser hair removal work? Laser hair removal works by delivering an intense beam of light that penetrates the skin and is preferentially absorbed by the melanin (pigment) in the hair follicle, generating energy in the form of heat, and effectively destroying the hair follicle without damaging the surrounding tissue. What's the difference between laser and intense pulse light (IPL)? Laser is a very special type of light that has three characteristics that separates it as the brightest, most powerful light known to mankind. Laser light is monochromatic (ie. one colour) so this means nearly 100% of laser light is one pure colour. IPL is not monochromatic, meaning that it has many different colours and only a small percentage of these colours are effective in the treatment of hair reduction. Laser is collimated meaning it's slow to diverge or spread out. This makes laser light very powerful as nearly 100% of the light can be effective in the treatment of hair reduction. IPL is not collimated and is therefore quick to spread making it less effective for hair reduction. Finally laser is coherent meaning that the light is totally reinforcing and doesn't cancel itself out, whereas IPL is not coherent and is not reinforcing making it less effective for the treatment of hair reduction.  Read Clinical Paper on Laser vs IPL?  What areas can be treated? All areas on both the body and face, with the exception of the orbital rim, can be safely treated with the Candela laser. Our laser is delicate enough to treat a woman’s fine sensitive skin and robust enough for a man’s beard, back or arms. We pride ourselves in providing a professional yet relaxed atmosphere in which you will feel comfortable discussing your personal treatment needs. How many treatments will be required? The number of treatments required for long-term benefits depends on a number of factors including the area being treated, hair density and the hair’s growth phase. There are three phases of hair growth: Anagen (active), Catagen (regression/transition), and Telagen (resting). Laser technology is designed to treat hair in the Anagen phase of growth, and approximately 20% of body hair is in this active phase at any given time. Additional factors including age, weight, ethnicity, hormonal activity, metabolism, medication and diet influence hair growth, location, thickness and resilience. Each laser hair removal treatment will result in a hair growth reduction. Additionally, hair will grow progressively slower, lighter and finer with each treatment. Although each client is unique, our experience has been that the average person requires between 6 and 10 treatments. These treatments will generally be spaced 6 – 8 weeks apart. Best results are achieved with clients who have regular treatments immediately after new hairs begin to grow. Clients who leave long periods of time between treatments will not achieve desired results. After completion of your initial set of 6 -8 treatment is may be necessary to have periodic maintenance treatment. This could vary from every 3 months to twice a year, as the degree of clearance will differ from person to person. I will assess areas and recommend a maintenance plan.  How long does a typical treatment session take? This is determined by the density of the hair growth and the size of the area to be treated. The actual treatment can vary from as little as a few minutes to as much as an hour in the case of a full back and chest treatment. A clear indication of the actual time will be advised during the initial consultation. Does laser hair removal hurt? Our GentleMax™ laser utilises patented cooling system that cools the skin on contact making the treatment almost pain-free. The majority of people experience minimal discomfort, feeling no more than a slight tingling sensation. However, it is important to bear in mind that pain threshold differs from person to person. Are there side effects associated with laser hair removal? Reaction to treatment will vary from person to person. Depending on the extent of the treatment, area being treated and the sensitivity of your skin type, there may be some redness and swelling of the treated area. This will typically disappear within hours of the treatment. In most instances you will be able to apply make-up and resume normal activities immediately. Lasers have been used for hair removal for more than 10 years and no long term side effects have been reported. How much do treatments cost? Prices of treatments are dependent on the size of the area being treated and the actual time spent on that treatment. Your initial consultation which generally lasts about 30 minutes is focussed on determining the condition you would like to address and the desired outcome. We will then outline an individualised treatment plan and its associated costs. At Cosmetic Laser Solutions we don't lock our clients into fixed contracts. What is meant by “permanent hair reduction”? Permanent hair reduction can be defined as the long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing after a treatment regime.   Hormonal imbalance, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Hirsutism Females concerned with abnormal amounts of hair growth (or about growth in unusual areas) is encouraged to consult an Endocrinologist for assessment and possible treatment of the underlying cause in order to achieve best possible treatment results.  Can treatment be performed after sun exposure? Tanning is an absolute contraindication for laser treatment. Sun exposure needs to be AVOIDED for at least 2 weeks prior to laser treatment and 2 weeks after. This includes tanning sprays and lotions. The chances of pigment changes and other "minor" skin irritations is high. Can cancer survivors be treated? Cancer survivors can be treated with laser, but we do require that clearance is obtained from the treating physician prior to commencing the treatment. Can children be treated? Children can be treated with laser, but will often require more treatment later due to hormonal changes. If under 18 years of age, the consent of a parent or guardian is required prior commencing treatment. Can treatments be done over implants? Laser treatment can be performed over implants. Can treatments be performed over orthopaedic hardware? Laser treatment can be performed over orthopaedic hardware, however some patients may experience more discomfort in those areas. Can treatment be performed on patients with pacemakers and other cardiac implants? Laser treatment can be performed on patients with pacemakers and other cardiac implants provided clearance has been given by their treating physician. Treatments are typically not performed directly over the implant. Can treatment be performed on patients with braces or other dental work? Generally gauze is placed between the cheek and gum for those patients who experience a "tingling" sensation on their teeth during treatment. Can treatments be performed over injectables? There is no clinical evidence that the GentleMax™ breaks down filler any quicker than normal, and we can therefore perform treatment over an injectable. Can a man's head be treated? Laser hair removal can be performed on a man's head. It is however important to understand that the treatment is permanent and a signed informed consent form will be required prior to commencement of the treatment. Does laser hair removal cause ingrown hairs? The most common areas that experience ingrown hairs are the beard area for men and bikini line for women. Laser treatment is in fact the best cure for ingrown hairs, as it disables the hair follicle, preventing re-growth.