Question 1

What are Candela's Laser Hair Removal treatments?

Accepted Answer

Laser energy is delivered through a small handpiece operated by your practitioner. The laser delivers an intense beam of light, which is absorbed by the skin and converted to heat. The heat is then absorbed by the cells being targeted. While the surrounding tissue remains unaffected, hair cells are destroyed by the heat. Your skin may be slightly red immediately following the procedure. This typically lasts from a few minutes to several hours after the procedure.

Question 2

Are laser hair removal treatments painful?

Accepted Answer

Candela's Laser Hair Removal treatments uses A cool air sytem that blows cold air before, 
during and after the treatment which helps ensure that the treatments are as comfortable as 
they are effective. Most patients find waxing more painful then laser and the sensation feels 
like a very fast prick in each hair follicles that subsides within a fraction of a second. If you
are worried about pain then what we say is try before you buy. A patch test is a perfect 
opportunity to try the laser in the area you are thinking to treat so you know what to expect.

Question 3

What precautions should I take throughout this process?

Accepted Answer

Avoid sun exposure at least 2-4 weeks before treatment. Wait for tanned skin to fade before beginning treatment. A sun factor of no less then 50 is recomended on exposed areas. You must make your therapist aware of any planned holidays so that we can best plan your treatment intervals.

Question 4

How long do laser Hair Removal treatments take, and how many treatments will I require?"

Accepted Answer

Treatment times may vary between 10-40 mins depending on the area being treated. Hair growth is reduced after each treatment and the number of treatments required will be based on your skin tone, hair colour /type and body  area being treated which is usually 6 sessions , the face area usually will need more than 6 treatments as the hairs are finer and hormones tends to play a big part in facial hair production.
Men who wish to just reduce the level of hair in areas such as beard, chest and arms can aim for up to 4 treatments.

Question 5

Are laser Hair Removal treatments safe, and are there any side effects?"

Accepted Answer

Laser and light-based treatments have been safely used for many years for a variety of medical and cosmetic procedures. There are no known side effects, occasional redness after treatment  is nornmal and temporary.

Question 6

When can I expect to see results?

Accepted Answer

Hair growth is reduced after each treatment and most people start to see results after 
the even the first treatment.

Question 7

What areas can be treated?

Accepted Answer

All areas of the body can be treated except under the eyebrows so it is totally safe to
treat full legs, full face, under arms, bikini (including hollywood and brazilian), full arms, 
back, shoulders, torso, nipples, bottoms, and beards.

Question 8

Is Laser Hair removal permanent?

Accepted Answer

Lasers and IPl's achieve permanent hair REDUCTION not permanent hair removal. 
Lasers can affectively kill root cells of a hair follicle when it is in its growth stage (Anagen phase). If all hairs were in their growth stage then we would only need one treatment. However, each hair has its own growth cycle and hence we treat each area several times at intervals in the probablility to catch the hair at the anagen phase stage. This is why its so important not to use other hair removal method like waxing, threading etc during your course of treatments. 
The hairs (or rather the follicles that produce the hairs) that are in the other 2 main stages of growth can be affected by the treatment, however, they will still produce hair, albeit weaker hairs, until they have reached the Anagen phase, which is why spaced, repeated treatments are the best way to approach Laser for hair removal/reduction. There will always be some hairs left after 6 trreatments that have not been targeted at the anagen phase and hence repetitive treatments thereafter may or may not be affective.
 
Thick, coarse and dark hairs are more easily detected by laser light and hence have better results. Finer and lighter hairs are harder to treat. Grey and blonde hairs cannot be treated at all. There needs to be pigment in the hair for lasers to work. 
Level of effectiveness also depends on area to be treated for example facial hairs are sometimes trigered by hormones and can take much longer to treat. We advice that you manage your expectations and start treatments with an aim to reducing and not eleminating hair growth in such areas. For those with conditions that can imbalance hormone levels or are on medications that stimulate hair growth may need to have regular top up treatments. Under arms is another area that tends to need top ups after initial level of treatments but these are far and few inbetween. Areas such as lower legs and bikini have had results close to 90%+

Question 9

Why do I have to have a patch test?

Accepted Answer

You have to have a patch test for several reasons, firstly it is a medical requirement, a council requirement and an insurance requirement. All these are in place for your safety and we cannot treat anyone without one. We need to make sure that there are no reaction before proceeding to larger areas, Secondly, it gives you the opportunity to test out the cooling system to make sure that it is right for you. Thirdly, it allows us to get to know your skin as we can patch test 3 different energy level to see which is right and safe for you before proceeding. 
You will in most cases have to wait a week after the patch test to get the treatment done unless you have any medical conditions that warrant the test patch time to be greater. 
Please note that a patch test is only valid for 3 months after which another patch test may be required.

Question 10

Do I have to have a patch test if i have been treated elsewhere or on a different laser?

Accepted Answer

Yes, each laser and IPl is very different and we would definetly require a patch test on our laser. Each area treated can also be very different and we would need to patch test in a new area if this is the case. Also the skin can react differently over time for sometimes no apparent reason and we take safety precautions very seriously. Although this may be an inconvenience, you should never settle for anything less.

Question 11

Is a Patch test a good test for hair removal results?

Accepted Answer

A patch test is mainly used to give the practitoner or operator a guide as to your skin sensitivity, and your reaction to the settings that they have used. It is very difficult to make an assessment of how well the treatment will work for you after only one application. This is because Laser works on a gradual reduction/removal basis. You will need to have a minimum course of treatments - usually at least 5-6 - to get a reasonable result.

Question 12

What's involved in a consultation?

Accepted Answer

- an indebth explanation of how the laser will work and which laser best suits the skin shade.
- explanation of how to manage hair growth inbetween treatments.
- an opportunity for the practitioner to analyse your hair growth area and give you realistic expectations of potential results.
- discuss any medical conditions and medication that could affect treatment.
- answer any questions and address concerns.
- work out a price quote.
- opportunity to have a patch test.

Question 13

What laser best suits my skin shade?

Accepted Answer

1 - NdYag laser for Asian to the darkest skin shades. Skin types IV to VI
2 - Alexandrite Laser used for caucasian skin types I to III.

Question 14

What happens to the hairs after the treatment?

Accepted Answer

Before you come in for your laser treatment, you need to shave the area to be treated,
the laser beam heats up the hair and it surrounding elements. When you leave after 
your treatment, the hair is still in its shaft, it does not vapourise, or just dissapear. The
hair follicle shrinks and the hair takes it natural course and start to fall out after 7-10 
days. To you this may appear as hairs growing but they are infact falling out. 
Approximately 2-3 weeks post treatment, the area should be clear of all hairs. 4/5 weeks
post treatments the next set of hairs will be ready for treatment.

Question 15

Why do I have to shave?

Accepted Answer

This is because the less hair that is on the surface of the skin, the more energy that can be delievered into the source of the hair - the follicle. Shaving the day before or on the day of the treatment will only increase the efficacy of the laser.
We know shaving is a horrible thought especially on a womans face, it can makes your hair feel and appear slightly darker and more coarse. However when hair grows naturally, it has a nice tapered end to it which makes it feel soft. When you cut that part off during shaving, you are left with a blunt end that feels coarse. Being the thicker part of the hair, it's also the darkest. Shaving, won't change the texture of the hair permanently.

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Frequently asked questions