Men and women struggle daily with unwanted hair on their faces, legs, underarms, shoulders and backs. Many of these individuals are extremely bothered and embarrassed by excessive and unsightly hair or razor bumps. Others are simply tired of having to shave to keep their skin looking and feeling soft and smooth. At The Medi Spa at Ridgewood Hill, our aesthetician understands these frustrations and we are pleased to offer laser hair removal as a long-lasting solution for unwanted hair. As laser hair removal has been refined, it has become the preferred method for permanent hair reduction, replacing shaving, tweezing, waxing and electrolysis.

Who is a candidate for laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal works best in lighter-skinned, darker-haired patients. This is because the laser’s primary target is melanin, or dark pigment, so gray or white hair (which lacks pigment) cannot be proficiently treated with a light-based device. Also, tanned skin reduces laser energy as it passes through to the hair follicle, diminishing the pulse’s strength and making it less effective. However, although some lasers cannot treat tanned skin, our esthetician has the technology to provide laser hair removal to our patients year-round, whether your skin is tanned or untanned.
The quickness of laser hair removal, combined with its long-lasting effects and the large areas that can be treated during one session, make it the solution of choice for many men and women.Laser hair removal works on the face, armpits, bikini areas, back, legs, arms and chest.

Do I need more than one treatment?

Because the laser needs to destroy the hair follicle when it is in the growth phase, multiple treatments will be necessary since our hair follicles are always in different stages. The female face, armpits and bikini lines are areas that respond fastest to laser hair removal; your back, arms and legs usually need more treatments over time.

Is there any down time?

No, you can resume your regular activities right away.

Can I still shave before the treatments?

Yes, but not the day of your treatment. We need to see where the hair is so we can be sure to treat all the hair follicles.

Can the treated hair grow back thicker or darker?

Removing hair does not make it grow back thicker, darker or quicker; hair in treated areas may actually come back slower and thinner.

Does it hurt?

Laser hair removal can cause some discomfort; however, most of our patients tolerate the procedure well. Some individuals feel a mild stinging or pinching, some describe it as a rubber band snap but this discomfort subsides when each treatment ends. As the hairs become fewer and thinner, there is less energy absorbed and less discomfort. Some parts of the body are more sensitive than others, so a topical anesthesia can be used.

Over time the sun damage, pollution and aging changes start to surface.  We see brown spots, fine lines and red veins.  Thankfully, with Broad Band Light Treatment (BBL) therapy we can greatly reduce those unwanted signs.  We can even start to treat them before they surface!

What is BBL?

BBL, or BroadBand Light therapy, (AKA Intense Pulsed Light therapy or the photo facial), is the next generation of IPL technology that produces firmer, younger looking skin with more even tone and texture. With little recovery time and no surgery, BBL offers a safe, FDA-cleared option for sun damage, fine lines, and skin rejuvenation.

The light energy produced is targeted at specific cells such as pigment cells (freckles or brown spots), or blood cells (red veins or diffuse redness). The heat also helps create new collagen, which gives our skin its firmness.

Who is a candidate for brown spot, redness or red vein removal?

Someone with light skin is the best candidate, since the laser is seeking out the darker color. You do not want to be tan when you have this procedure, since it will remove the pigment from the tan and not be as effective.

How many treatments are needed?

You will usually see an improvement with one treatment, but usually need 3-5 to clear things up. Brown spots are frequently quicker to respond.

Is there any down time?

The brown spots will look darker and more prominent for about 3 weeks. You can cover this with makeup. On occasion you may get a little crusting from the vein removal.

Will the spots or veins come back?

The brown spots, red veins and diffuse redness are all signs of sun damage, which has accumulated over the years. You will see new spots and veins surface, and once you have treated the initial ones, you will benefit from maintenance treatments once or twice a year, depending on your level of skin damage.

Does it hurt?

Because the darker color is absorbing the light energy, the more brown spots you have, the more it will sting. As you get rid of the discoloration, there is less stinging. We will use ice at the end of the treatment, and you will feel fine in about 30 minutes.