LASER HAIR REMOVAL FAQ

WHAT IS LASER HAIR REMOVAL?

Laser hair removal is the process of utilizing thermolysis to permanently destroy hair follicles. The laser is attracted to pigment in the hair follicle, causing the follicle to heat up and inhibit future hair growth. If the hair follicle does not contain any pigment, the laser will not target it. In other words, if hair is grey, white, blonde, or red, laser hair removal will be ineffective.

WHAT TYPE OF LASER DO YOU USE?

We carry the excel HR which is considered the gold standard in laser technology. It is Health Canada and FDA approved for permanent hair reduction. The excel HR combines both the Alexandrite 755 nm and ND: Yag 1064nm for laser hair removal. The 755 nm Alexandrite laser is highly absorbed by melanin making it an ideal solution for finer hair on skin types I-III. The 1064 nm Nd:YAG is the safest wavelength for permanent hair reduction on darker skin types and tanned skin.

IS LASER HAIR REMOVAL SAFE FOR MY SKIN?

Yes, the excel HR combines a high-power 755 nm Alexandrite laser and Cutera’s proven long-pulse 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser for safe, effective high-volume hair removal on all skin types.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WOULD I NEED?

Most laser hair removal patients are advised to undergo at least 6-10 treatment sessions, spaced apart over several months, to ensure that hair in all phases of the growth cycle are treated. Hair growth happens in three phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen phases.

The anagen phase is described as the active growth stage for hair. It is also when hair is strongest, making it the ideal time to be treated for laser hair removal in Ottawa. Catagen is the shortest of the growth cycle phases, lasting 1-3 weeks on average. About 1-3% of hairs are in catagen at any given time. During catagen, the hair follicle will shorten or regress to a fraction of the length it was in anagen. At this time, the dermal papilla detaches from the hair structure, causing the hair fiber to stop growing. Hairs that were uprooted during catagen will typically be shed or released during telogen. The telogen phase can last 1-3 months on average, depending on how long the dermal papilla remains in resting mode. Around 10% of hairs are in the telogen phase at any given time. Since the hair fiber has no root in telogen, hairs may easily be removed or fall out through brushing, combing, shampooing or plucking. If a hair stays put until the end of the telogen phase, it will be pushed out of the follicle when the next anagen phase begins.

Laser hair removal treatments can only effectively produce 80%-90% long-term hair reduction if the unwanted hair is treated during the anagen (growth) phase.

DOES LASER HAIR REMOVAL HURT?

The excel HR laser technology contains a triple sapphire cooling tip to cool before, during and after each pulse to ensure high comfort for all laser hair removal treatments. It is the least painful laser on the market. It also contains an adjustable spot size to treat different areas on the body efficiently. Both of these features combined result in higher comfort and safety during laser hair removal treatments.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LASER HAIR REMOVAL?

Laser hair removal has many benefits. Not only will you avoid having to deal with painful tweezing, waxing or cuts from shaving, but you can rest assured that once your laser hair removal treatments are complete, you will also save an incredible amount of time not having to worry about hair removal ever again.

Clients who suffer from ingrown hair or skin discolouration related to coarse hair, will also be happy to know that one of the most effective ways to target these concerns is laser hair removal.

AM I ABLE TO UNDERGO LASER HAIR REMOVAL WHILE PREGNANT?

We do not recommend laser hair removal for any client who is pregnant, breast feeding or planning to get pregnant in the near future. Health Canada has not cleared any laser technology as safe to use during pregnancy.