Everything You Need to Know About Laser Hair Removal

The best time for laser hair removal is during the fall and winter months for most patients as you have minimal sun exposure, little skin exposure, and it works best on untanned skin.

We generally recommend three to six treatments for best results. During your initial consult, we examine your rate of hair growth, the area treated, and your skin and hair colour to determine the total number of treatments required. As a general rule, the following number of treatments are required:

Face and Neck 6-8 Treatments 4-6 Weeks apart

Bikini Area 5-10 Treatments 4-6 Weeks apart

Underarms 6-8 Treatments 4-6 Weeks apart

Legs 3-6 Treatments 4-6 Weeks apart

Back 5-7 Treatments 4-6 Weeks apart

The laser only disables the hair in the active growth stage during treatment. The hairs that return are those not in the active growth stage at treatment.

We recommend a session every four weeks initially. After four weeks of growth, the hair is at the ideal stage to be targeted by the laser. As your hair growth diminishes with treatment, we increase the duration between your visits. Eventually, depending on your skin and hair type, you will only need to come in for maintenance sessions every few months.

No, If you wait too long between laser hair removal treatments, your hair follicles won't be damaged enough to prevent the hair from regrowing.

Laser hair removal causes minimal pain, and most patients feel a tingling or stinging sensation akin to a rubber band snapping the skin during the treatment. The skin may be red and tender for a few days after treatment, similar to a sunburn. However, most patients tolerate the procedure well and agree it is far less painful than waxing.

Laser hair removal does not require downtime; most people return to their daily activities immediately after treatment. However, the treatment area may be slightly red and sensitive following treatment.

You will see the results of laser hair removal immediately. Following your first and every treatment after that, you will notice a decrease in unwanted hair growth.

Most patients remain hair free for months or even years. When some of the hair regrows, it will likely be less noticeable. A patient may need maintenance laser treatments to keep the area free of hair.

Women's most popular laser hair removal areas include upper lip, sideburns, underarms, arms, legs, bikini line, and Brazilian. Men's most popular laser hair removal areas include the eyebrows, upper cheeks, neck, legs, and back.

The duration of each session depends on the treatment area's size. Smaller areas like the upper lip may take just a few minutes, while larger areas like the legs or back may take up to an hour.

Yes, laser hair removal is generally safe when performed by a trained and experienced professional. However, it's important to choose a reputable clinic and follow all pre- and post-treatment instructions to minimize any potential risks.

Temporary side effects may include redness, swelling, and mild discomfort in the treated area, which usually subside within a few hours or days. Rarely, there may be temporary pigment changes or blistering, but these are typically temporary and resolve on their own.

Yes, laser hair removal can be an effective treatment for ingrown hairs. By targeting and destroying the hair follicles, it helps prevent future ingrown hairs and reduces the associated inflammation.

Yes, laser hair removal can be performed on sensitive areas like the bikini line or underarms. The procedure is safe for these areas, but it's important to communicate any concerns or discomfort you may have with our staff.

Yes, you can shave between laser hair removal sessions. In fact, it's recommended to shave the treatment area before each session, as it allows the laser to target the hair follicles more effectively.

It's generally advisable to avoid tanning or excessive sun exposure before laser hair removal sessions. Tanned skin contains more melanin, which can compete with the hair follicles for the laser's energy, potentially leading to less effective results or increased risks of side effects.

Yes, alternative hair removal methods such as waxing, shaving, threading, or using depilatory creams exist. However, these methods offer temporary results and require more frequent maintenance than laser hair removal.

Absolutely! Laser hair removal is equally effective for men as it is for women. Common treatment areas for men include the back, chest, shoulders, and neck.

The cost of laser hair removal varies depending on the treatment area's size and the number of sessions required. See our pricelist for for pricing.

While laser hair removal is generally safe and effective for many individuals, there are certain situations where it may not be suitable. Here are some instances where individuals should avoid laser hair removal:

Pregnancy: Avoiding laser hair removal during pregnancy is generally recommended, as the effects of laser exposure on the developing fetus are not fully understood. It's best to wait until after pregnancy and consult with your healthcare provider before considering laser hair removal.

Breastfeeding: Although no known risks have been reported, it's advisable to postpone laser hair removal while breastfeeding to err on the side of caution. The safety of the procedure during this period has not been extensively studied.

Photosensitivity: Individuals who are photosensitive or have a history of light-triggered conditions, such as lupus or porphyria, should avoid laser hair removal. The procedure may exacerbate these conditions or cause adverse skin reactions.

Recent Sun Exposure or Tanning: It is recommended to avoid excessive sun exposure or tanning before laser hair removal sessions. Tanned skin contains more melanin, which can interfere with the laser's ability to target the hair follicles effectively and increase the risk of side effects.

Active Infections or Skin Conditions: If you have active skin infections, such as herpes or impetigo, or certain skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis in the treatment area, laser hair removal may exacerbate these conditions or cause additional discomfort. It's best to wait until the skin has fully healed before undergoing the procedure.

Medications and Medical Conditions: Some medications, such as photosensitizing drugs or those that affect the skin's healing process, may make laser hair removal unsuitable. Additionally, individuals with medical conditions such as keloids or a history of skin cancer should avoid laser hair removal.

Blonde, Gray, or Red Hair: Laser hair removal works best on dark, pigmented hair. Individuals with light-colored or white hair may not achieve optimal results as the laser targets the melanin in the hair follicles.

Recent Hair Removal Methods: It's important to discontinue other hair removal methods, such as waxing, plucking, or electrolysis, for a few weeks before laser hair removal. These methods can disturb the hair follicles, affecting the laser's ability to target them effectively.

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We use the Lutronic Clarity II.

At Enhance, we want to offer our clients the best laser hair removal system available, so we chose the Lutronic Clarity II for the following reasons:

• Fast treatments - The large treatment area and high repetition rate allow legs or backs to be treated in 15 minutes, saving time.
• Virtually painless - The adjustable power and integrated skin cooling provide a comfortable treatment with minimal pain or side effects. Our clients are amazed at how comfortable the Clarity II treatments are compared to other lasers they have tried.
• Safety features - The machine has contact cooling, adjustable spot sizes, and built-in skin sensors to help prevent skin injury.
• Effective on all skin types - The adjustable settings allow safe and effective treatment on any skin type, from fair to dark.
• Permanent hair reduction - Most clients see a long-term drop in hair growth after a series of treatments—less hassle.

Overall, the speed, comfort, adjustability and proven results make the Clarity II one of the premier modern devices for laser hair removal. We have found it provides excellent outcomes for clients seeking smooth skin free of unwanted hair, and it does so gently and with minimal downtime.