Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a treatment whereby a laser machine is used to deliver heat and energy into the skin to target and disable hair follicles. It is important to note that hair grows in a cycle, and that hair removal is only effective during the active growth stage. Laser hair removal is a life-changing treatment for many and offers a lasting reduction in unwanted body and facial hair.

Despite the many positive aspects of this treatment, there are things to consider before starting laser hair removal. Your consultation and patch test are vitally important to the success of your treatment course. It's essential that your hair is checked to ensure it is suitable for treatment. If you have any underlying health or hormonal issues these need to be talked through also. Hormone conditions can affect treatment outcome so you need to be made aware of this.

Not all laser hair removal machines deliver the same results. Our FDA approved, Candela GentleMax Pro lasers are clinically proven to remove hair.

Avoid sun exposure 4-6 weeks before and after treatment until your healthcare provider allows it. Epidermal melanocytes compete with melanin in the hair.

We may ask you to stop any topical medications or skin care products 3-5 days prior to treatment.

Avoid bleaching, plucking or waxing hair for 4-6 weeks prior to treatment. The melanin-containing hair must be present in the follicle as it is the “target” for the laser light.

If you have a tan or have a darker Fitzpatrick Skin Type, a bleaching regimen may be started 4-6 weeks before treatment.

Recently tanned skin cannot be lasered! If lasered within 2 weeks of active (natural sunlight or tanning booth) tanning, you may develop hypopigmentation (white spots) after treatment and this may not clear for 2-3 months or more.

The use of self-tanning skin products must be discontinued one week before treatment. Any residual selftanner should be removed prior to treatment.

Immediately after treatment, there should be erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) of each hair follicle in the treatment site, which may last up to 2 hours, or longer. The erythema may last up to 2-3 days. The treated area will feel like a sunburn for a few hours after treatment.

A topical soothing skin care product such as aloe vera gel may be applied following treatment if desired.

Makeup may be used immediately after the treatment as long as the skin is not irritated.

Avoid sun exposure to reduce the chance of hyperpigmentation (darker pigmentation).

Use a sunblock (SPF 30+) at all times throughout the course of treatment.

Avoid picking or scratching the treated skin. Do not use any other hair removal treatment products or similar treatments (waxing, electrolysis or tweezing) that will disturb the hair follicle in the treatment area for 4-6 weeks after the laser treatment is performed. Shaving only should be done between treatments.

Anywhere from 5-14 days after the treatment, shedding of the treated hair may occur and this appears as new hair growth. This is NOT new hair growth. You can clean and remove the hair by washing or wiping the area with a wet cloth or Loofah sponge.

After the axilla (underarm) is treated, you may wish to use a powder instead of a deodorant for 24 hours after the treatment to reduce skin irritation.

There are no restrictions on bathing except to treat the skin gently, as if you had sunburn, for the first 24 hours.

Call for an appointment at the first sign of the return of hair growth. This may occur within 4- 6 weeks for the upper body and possibly as long as 2-3 months for the lower body. Hair regrowth occurs at different rates on different areas of the body. New hair growth will not occur for AT LEAST three weeks after treatment.

No, results from laser hair removal are not 100% permanent for the rest of your life. The reduction you will achieve is permanent but you will see fine, light regrowth a few months after your initial course of treatment.

The GentleMax Pro laser device made by Candela, a leader in the field of laser technology. This particular device is designed with adjustable laser settings and a patented Dynamic Cooling Device feature for improved patient comfort. This alexandrite laser is considered one of the best innovations in laser hair removal.

Maybe. It’s different for everyone—some find it stings & some are totally unbothered by it. The good news? Our clinical staff know how to assess your pain tolerance & plan accordingly with multiple ways to make the treatment as comfortable as possible for you. Also ask yourself this: does having a huge razor bump in a not-cute location hurt? I think we all know the answer to that one.

Meridian Spa uses the Candella GentleMax Pro. This is a medical grade laser, which is safe and effective for all skin types thanks to its dual wavelengths: the Nd:YAG and the Alexandrite. The treatments are virtually painless due to the use of a unique patented dynamic cooling device, (cryogen spray).

The GentleMax Pro laser device made by Candela, a leader in the field of laser technology. This particular device is designed with adjustable laser settings and a patented Dynamic Cooling Device feature for improved patient comfort. This alexandrite laser is considered one of the best innovations in laser hair removal.

The Gentle Pro Series is a consolidated, dual wavelength laser platform that combines a fast and powerful 755 nm Alexandrite laser with a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser to deliver a range of treatments. For over two decades, the Gentle Family of devices has been a gold standard for hair removal and treatment of vascular and pigmented lesions with over 10,000 lasers in use worldwide in over 86 countries

Our laser systems use Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD™), which provides a cooling burst of cryogen to ensure that the treatments are comfortable and the skin is consistently protected.

Still, it’s different for everyone—some find it stings & some are totally unbothered by it. The good news? Our clinical staff know how to assess your pain tolerance & plan accordingly with multiple ways to make the treatment as comfortable as possible for you. Also ask yourself this: does having a huge razor bump in a not-cute location hurt? I think we all know the answer to that one.

Hair grows in repeating cycles, and only in the actively growing phase does the hair contain enough pigment to absorb sufficient energy to disable the hair follicle. When hair is in the dormant phase, it has little or no pigment, and it cannot absorb laser energy.

Our Gentle Pro Series of lasers are the gold standard in all Fitzpatrick Skin Types. Our GentleMax Pro laser is best of both worlds, combining the 755 nm Alexandrite laser with the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser for high performance treatment capabilities in terms of speed, ease-of use, and patient satisfaction.