How does the ND-Yag Laser work?

A hand-held laser device sends out pulsed light onto the skin to seek out the dark pigment of the hair, and it impairs the hair follicle.  Hair will begin to fall out within the next 10-14 days after the treatment. Hair grows in different stages: growing, resting and shedding.  Because all of the hair isn’t on the same stage at any given time, multiple treatments are needed to get the hair in the growth phase, for the laser to be most effective.  We use a Cynosure Cooling machine alongside the laser to make this process as comfortable as possible.  Using a ND:Yag we can safely treat all skin colours without the risks associated with other lasers.

 

Facts on ND-Yag Laser Hair Removal

1. Hair reduction can make a world of difference. While you might not get totally smooth and silky forever, hair should be less noticeable and require less shaving or waxing. Lasers can reduce hair counts from 60%-80% and then over time almost all of the hair can be destroyed.

2. Little to no hair growth is needed for treatments. With the ND-Yag Laser machine, hair can either be continually shaved, including the day of the treatment or only require a few days worth of growth, if any at all.

3. Multiple treatments are needed. It is not a one-hit wonder.

4. The number of sessions required to achieve permanent hair removal depends on the area being treated, the individual’s hair structure and how they respond to laser hair removal. 

 

Benefits of Laser Hair Removal

Lasers are useful for removing unwanted hair from the face, leg, arm, under-arm, bikini line, and other areas.  The benefit of laser hair removal is precision.  Lasers can selectively target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.  Each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time.  The laser can treat an area approximately the size of a quarter every second. Small areas such as the upper lip can be treated in less than ten minutes, and larger areas such as the back or legs may take over an hour.

 

Side Effects

The discomfort level varies on the type of laser used, the person’s hair type, the body area getting treated, and one’s personal threshold.  Getting a laser hair removal treatment can be compared to a rubber band snapping against the skin.  The first session generally hurts the most and then subsides with further visits.  People with very thick, dark hair often feel a bit more pain than those with thin hair because darker hair absorbs more of the laser light. However, after the second treatment, clients generally don’t feel as much pain.

 

How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal 

Hair removal is more than just “zapping” unwanted hair. It is a medical procedure that requires specialized training and carries potential risks. Before getting laser hair removal, you should thoroughly check the credentials of the technician performing the procedure, all our aestheticians at Five Senses have been certified in this procedure.  If you are planning on undergoing laser hair removal, you should limit tweezing, waxing, and electrolysis for six weeks before treatment.  That is because the laser targets the hair’s roots which are temporarily removed by waxing or tweezing.  If you are getting your underarms or legs done it is advisable to shave the day of your procedure, as the laser works on the root of the hair, not the hair its self.  You should also avoid sun exposure for six weeks before and after treatment.  Sun exposure makes laser hair removal less effective and makes complications after treatment more likely.  If you are planning on getting pregnant avoid getting laser hair removal.

 

Costs of Laser Hair Removal

How much you can expect to pay for laser hair removal depends largely on where the hair lies and how much you wish to have removed.  Hair removal from the underarms and chin generally cost less in comparison to hair removal from the back and legs.  As a general rule, the larger the hair removal area, the greater the cost.