Laser Hair Removal Basics

We realize that both men and women want to not only feel great but also look fabulous. Pareja Medical Center serves you to that end by providing options to treat those imperfections that appear on your body, such as ugly facial veins, painful leg veins, unwanted hair, acne, sun and age spots, wrinkles, etc.

Our hair removal process removes unwanted hair and effects stable long-term or permanent hair removal by using controlled light flashes to penetrate the focus area. You will need to have a total of 8 treatments. Each treatment will be separated by a 6 to 8 week period. This is the amount of time that it will take for another “crop” of hair follicles to be in the active growth phase. It is during this 6-8 week period that the removal of hair is most effective.

What About My Skin?

Patients with lighter skin tones can usually be treated for their hair removal session the day after they first come in for their initial evaluation with the physician. During this initial evaluation, the patient will have a small area of their body tested with the laser to ensure that their skin can sustain the treatment. The hair removal process can begin after a thorough evaluation of the “skin test area” has proven that the skin has had a positive reaction.

Patients with darker skin tones will need to have a small area of their skin tested, and then return for an evaluation after 2 full days. If at that time the patient’s test spots are normal, the full laser hair removal treatment may commence.

How Should I Prepare for Treatment?

Patients should avoid plucking, electrolysis or hair waxing for three to six weeks prior to treatment depending on the treatment area; shaving, however, is acceptable. If you have had a history of herpes simplex virus and are scheduled for facial hair treatment, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be prescribed. Also, any hair should be completely removed by shaving, and your skin should be thoroughly cleaned and dried, removing any makeup, creams, oils, topical anesthetics or skin tanning products before laser treatment. The intended treatment area should not be exposed to sunlight or tanning booth light for two to four weeks prior to and after treatment. This includes any spray on tanning products. The sun’s effect on the treated skin area will cause blistering and burning of the skin.

What Can I Expect During Treatment?

Treatment will take place at Pareja Medical Center. You will wear safety eyewear to protect your eyes from the laser light. Your technician will guide the laser to the treatment areas with a hand piece. A treatment could take as little as a few minutes to as long as an hour, depending on the area and condition being treated.

Does it Hurt?

Some patients may feel a slight discomfort with each laser pulse, sometimes described as the snapping of a rubber band on the skin. For some patients, a topical anesthetic may be applied (at the clinic) prior to treatment. Be sure to discuss this with the practitioner.

What Can I expect after Treatment?

Patients can look for their hair growth to slow down dramatically in the weeks following the first hair removal treatment. Any redness or slight swelling should resolve within a few hours. Patients can also expect the hairs to be loose enough to easily and painlessly come out anywhere from 2-3 weeks after the treatment. The hair can be gently extracted from the skin with scotch tape since it will still be loosely attached on the skin.

How Should I Take Care of Myself Between Treatments?

After laser treatment, prevent sun exposure by applying sun block – SPF 30 or above – for a minimum of 10 days after each treatment. In the first few days after treatment, don’t scrub or rinse the treated areas with abrasive skin cleansers. Your assigned technician may advise additional precautions. Also be sure to use a good quality lotion, such as a Vaseline Olive Oil or Aloe Vera lotion, on the treated area 2-3 times daily for the first 3 days after the treatment.

Are there Side Effects?

Your risks are minimal. Side effects may include redness and swelling. More rare side effects are hyper-pigmentation, hypo-pigmentation, and blistering in the treated area. Permanent side effects are rare. Be sure to discuss potential side effects with the provider.

How Much Does it Cost?

The cost of treatment is determined by the size of the area being treated. The larger the area the more it costs. Prices start as low as $39 per treatment for small areas like the chin or forehead area and range up to $ 490 per treatment for larger areas like the back or legs. Discounts are available with the purchase of multiple areas. Call for more details. Payment for hair removal is to be paid in full before the treatment. Payment for certain other services can be a pay-by-use arrangement; although discounted rates are available if a package is purchased. For more information, call or email to: info@parejamedical.com.