Depending on the anatomical location and the hair type, it can take anywhere from 6 to 12 sessions per area with touch-ups as needed. Maintenance is about 1-2 sessions a year (every 6 months for optimal treatment).

The hair goes through 3 stages: Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen.

- Anagen is the growth stage when new hair is produced.

- Catagen is the falling out stage of the hair growth.

- Telogen is the resting, or final stage of the hair growth.

Two hair follicles can be right next to each other in different hair stages of growth. The treatment is most effective when used on the hair follicles in the growth or anagen phase. Thus, depending on the anatomical location it differs on the time intervals of the treatments.

• No plucking, waxing, electrolysis, or bleaching for at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to your treatment. If the root of the hair follicle is removed, then the laser has nothing to work with. Shave in between sessions in the treatment area. For the face you can shave with “tinkle razors”.

• Don’t tan. Avoid tanning beds and sun exposure for 4-6 weeks prior to your treatment. Avoid self tanner or tanning lotion at least 1 week prior to your treatment. The tanned skin competes with the hair follicle and increases your risk for burning.

• Don’t moisturize or apply deodorant before your treatment.

• Clean shave. Shave the evening before or the day of the procedure if there is heavy hair growth.

Immediately after treatment, there may be mild redness and swelling at the treatment site, which may last up to 2 hours or longer. The redness may last up to 2-3 days. The treated area may feel like a sunburn.

- Apply ice packs (do not directly apply ice to the skin) for the first few hours after treatment to reduce any discomfort or swelling. If redness or swelling persists, ice packs may be continued.

- Makeup may be used immediately after the treatment unless there is blistering.

- Avoid sun exposure until skin has returned to its normal baseline (no redness or swelling). Skin will be photosensitive (sun sensitive) for 1 week after your laser treatment which increases your burning risk.

- Avoid picking or scratching the treated skin. Do not use any other hair removal treatment products or services (waxing, electrolysis or tweezing) that will disturb the hair follicle in the treatment area.

- Wash the treated area and pat dry for 3 days after treatment. Do not scrub.

- Start gently scrubbing the treated area on the 4th day (exfoliate).

- Anywhere from 5-10 days after the treatment, shedding of the surface hair may occur and this appears as new hair growth. This is not new hair growth, it is the shaft that was below the skin and is being expelled. It may take 7-10 days for the shafts to be fully expelled.

- There are no restrictions on bathing except to treat the skin gently, as if you had a sunburn, for the first 24 hours. To reduce irritation, avoid swimming in pools, hot tub/jacuzzi, lake and working out for 24 hours post treatment.

At the next visit, it is important for the patient to let the practitioner know how long the redness lasts after treatment and when significant hair growth was noticed in the area. This info will allow the practitioner to individualize treatments to achieve the desired results.