Laser Hair Removal
Featuring Cynosure’s Icon Technology
Uncover touchable skin with permanent hair reduction
Unwanted hair is a well-known problem for women and men alike. Shaving, plucking, depilatories and waxing can be inconvenient, time-consuming and often painful. What’s worse is these methods are only temporary, and sometimes can only last for a few hours.
Feel your best and free yourself from the incessant need to shave and wax. Our state-of-the-art Icon™ system offers a long-term solution to remove unwanted hair, leaving skin feeling smooth and healthy.
As the third most performed non-surgical cosmetic treatment in the country, laser hair removal provides permanent hair reduction any place on your body. Hair removal treatments are quick and easy letting you get back to your everyday activities.
How does laser hair removal work?
During laser hair removal, Cynosure’s Icon™ laser technology releases light energy that goes through the skin, and the pigment in the hair follicle and hair shaft absorbs it. Pigments give skin and hair its color, and the energy damages the follicle, which impairs its ability to grow.
Hair follicles in the active growth typically respond best to treatments because it contains more pigment which absorbs more energy. It takes multiple treatments to accomplish the best results because it’s important to “catch” your hair in this active growth phase when you are receiving treatments.
What areas can laser hair removal treat?
Our Icon™ technology can remove hair from almost anywhere on the body including faces, backs, chests, arms, underarms, bikini, and legs.
Am I a good candidate for this hair removal?
Icon™ can be safely used on all skin types from very light skin to very dark skin. It is most effective on individuals with dark hair.
Candidates with very light or gray hair are not ideal. However, we will determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure based on a variety of factors during your consultation.
How many treatments will I need?
Since your hair grows in three stages, several treatments are needed to affect all of the unwanted hair.
The number of treatments can vary between individuals, depending on the amount of hair, the area to be treated, skin color, hair color and hair coarseness.
Typically 4 – 6 treatments are needed, but this will depend on a number of factors including your type of hair. One of our providers can give you a more specific treatment plan during your consultation.
How far apart are treatment sessions?
It depends on which area is being treated. In general, face, underarms, arms, and bikini are about 4-6 weeks apart. Back, chest, and legs are about 8-10 weeks apart.
What should I expect the day of treatment?
If you would like to get started the same day as your consultation, we recommend shaving before your visit and minimizing any sun exposure.
Treatments are quick and easy, and normally there is little to no downtime afterward. Some patients come on their lunch breaks.
Before the device is used, a gel is applied to your skin where you will receive treatment, and we’ll provide eye shields to protect you from the light. The staff member will guide the Icon™ handpiece over the target area.
During the removal process, you may feel a slight rubber-band like snap when the energy is delivered into your hair follicles. The sensation disappears almost immediately, and treatments only last minutes depending on the size of the area.
After the treatment, the gel is removed, and a cooling gel may be applied to your skin. Since laser hair removal is minimally invasive, bandages and ointments are not necessary after the session, and you can resume all normal activities immediately following treatment.
If you are a laser hair removal patient, please be aware of the following:
- Shave the area being treated prior to your appointment.
- 6 weeks before and in between your treatment sessions, discontinue all waxing, plucking, and tweezing on the areas receiving treatment.
- 4 weeks prior to your appointment, discontinue excessive UV exposure, tanning and tanning beds and tanning creams on the areas receiving treatment.
Is there anything I need to know or do after my laser hair removal session?
Yes! It’s normal to experience a mild sunburn-like sensation. This usually lasts 2-24 hours but can persist up to 72 hours. Mild swelling and redness may accompany this, but it usually resolves in 2-3 days.
Be sure to avoid sun exposure on the treated area and use a sunscreen SPF 45 or greater at all times throughout the course of treatment and for 4-6 weeks after your last treatment.
There will be an appearance of hair growth or stubble for 7-30 days post-treatment. This is not new hair growth, but treated hairs being expelled from the skin.
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With four convenient locations in the Midlands, Columbia Skin Clinic has a commitment to delivering excellent dermatology care.
