Whether man or a woman, probably pondered the inconvenience of removing unwanted body or facial hair more than once. Shaving face or legs can be time-consuming and expensive, and we’ve all felt the pain inflicted by the knick of a razor. And when try alternative methods, such depilatory creams or waxing, one may find oneself dealing with skin rashes or pain. All that, only for the hair to start growing back soon.
One can say goodbye to the hassle by booking a series of laser hair removal treatments, which will gradually stop hair in the targeted area from growing. This method centres around the fact that melanin, or pigment, contained within the hair follicles attract and absorb light. Through targeted use of the laser, the hair follicle is damaged, and over time, it loses the ability to grow new hair.

Each treatment takes anywhere from a *few minutes to a couple of hours, depending on the surface area being treated and the density and coarseness of the hair that is growing there. During sessions, a laser is guided over the targeted area. Before, during and after the treatment, skin is cooled to minimize discomfort and to prevent damage to the skin cells.

Laser hair removal is *long lasting, which means there will no longer have to waste time and money on shaving or other short-term hair removal methods. At most, it might need a touch-up appointment about once a year.

• *Hair colour vs. skin tone. Traditionally, laser hair removal *works good when there is a contrast between skin tone and hair colour, where the hair is darker. It works by targeting melanin, which is present in both hair and skin. Individuals with darker complexions are therefore at risk of cell damage in the skin cells surrounding the hair follicle. However, new laser technology makes it possible to safely perform laser hair removal on these patients, by using less intense wavelengths that do not damage the skin. The entire process is done more gradually than it is for other patients, with appointments spaced over a longer period of time.
• *Hair colour. Brown and black hair gets its colour from a pigment called eumelanin, which responds well to laser. By contrast, red and blonde hair, which contains pheomelanin, is not responsive, and is therefore not suitable for laser hair removal treatment. Gray hair lacks pigment and is therefore not suitable either. We encourage patients with red, blonde or gray hair to come and see us, so that we can discuss alternative hair removal methods.
• *The body part being targeted. Laser hair removal works on almost every part of the body. Men tend to use it mostly for the chest, back and shoulders. Women choose it for their arms, legs, underarms, bikini area and face. Laser hair removal is not recommended for the inside of the nose or ears, or for the eyebrows.
• *Since tattoos are created from the insertion of pigment into the skin, laser hair removal can damage the skin cells and alter the appearance of the tattoo. Some patients who have attempted laser hair removal on a tattooed area have reported blistering, pain and infection. Therefore, we do not recommend laser hair removal treatment on tattooed skin.
• *Skin sensitivity. Having sensitive skin does not automatically disqualify from laser hair removal treatments. However, we recommend a patch test that will enable us to determine how skin would respond. In some cases, we may use a more gradual process over a longer period of time.

Laser hair removal carries a small risk of damage to skin cells, particularly in individuals whose skin tone is similar to their hair colour. However, this risk is mitigated in a number of ways:

• *We never commence treatment without doing a thorough assessment that includes an analysis of skin and hair type, the results to accomplish, and any medical conditions or treatments that might be relevant.
• *For some patients, we use a longer wavelength that poses less risk to the skin.
• *In some circumstances, we will space treatments out over a longer period of time.
• *We cool the skin before, during and after each session. Not only does this reduce discomfort, it protects the skin from damage.

Laser hair removal is generally not painful, but some parts of the body are more sensitive than others. The bikini area, for example, may be prone to more discomfort than the arms or legs. Topical numbing creams can be applied to these areas before and after treatment. Shaving the area prior to the session may also help. Although hair needs to be present in the follicles in order for the treatment to work, having the hair as short as possible may make the procedure more comfortable.

Since laser hair removal is a non-surgical procedure that involves minimal pain, it is done without the use of anaesthesia or pain medication. Therefore, the risk of medical complications is minimum. At most, one may experience mild discomfort such as *itching or burning. For patients with highly sensitive skin, we can apply a topical anaesthetic.

As with any procedure, it is important to follow the post-treatment care instructions that are provided. General care instructions include the following:

• *Reduce exposure to the sun. If it is unavoidable, protect the skin with loose clothing and/or sunscreen.
• *Avoid getting new tattoos on the affected area until *several weeks after the final treatment.
• *Avoid the use of lotion and skin care products that may cause the skin to be more sensitive. Some fabrics and laundry detergents can also increase skin sensitivity.

At Canada MedLaser clinics, we use the latest in laser hair removal technology. The Candela GentleMax Pro machine is our number one choice for many reasons, including the following:

• *The incorporation of two technologies means that almost any skin type can be treated
• *The machine is faster than others on the market, with lasers that pulse twice per second. This means that for many individuals, we can accomplish the desired results in shorter sessions.
• *Although the number of sessions varies depending on the patient’s skin type and pigmentation, in most cases individuals only need four to six sessions.
• *There is no mess! Gone are the days of sticky gels that are a headache to clean off.
• *Treatments are virtually pain-free – most patients need no numbing at all prior to treatments. The machine sprays a numbing and cooling solution onto the targeted area right before the laser begins to pulse.

In the unlikely event that is not a suitable candidate for the Candela Gentle Max machine, we will work to determine which hair removal treatment and technology would work fine.