How Long Does A Laser Hair Removal Treatment Take? 
The length of time needed depends on the size of the area being treated. For instance, the upper lip will only take minutes, while other areas, like the leg will take more time.
The times listed are a range. Variables include laser used, the spot size of the laser which is often somewhat dependent upon the amount of laser energy required (fluence).
Laser energy used (dose) is in turn affected by skin and hair color.
Most treatment times end up toward the lower end of the range given here, however.
Also, treatments tend to go more rapidly each successive treatment.
The time it takes is still a fraction of the time electrolysis would take for the same area because lasers can treat multiple hair follicles at once.
How many treatments will I need?
The laser can only disable actively growing hairs during your treatment. And because hair growth occurs in cycles, only a certain amount of hair follicles are growing at any one time.The number of treatments you may require for optimal long-term benefits depends on the area you wish to have treated, the hair density and your hair’s growth cycle. Your hair grows in cycles and many factors influence it’s growth. Age, ethnicity, weight, hormones, diet, medication and metabolism all play a part in your hair’s location, thickness and resilience.
The laser energy is only effective on hairs which are in their active growth phase. Many hair follicles are in their resting stage at any one particular time. That means several visits will be necessary (but nowhere close to number needed for electrolysis) to catch the hairs that were in the resting stage before. As a general rule, several treatments will be required. However, most times you can expect to see a 50% reduction in hair growth after just one treatment. Then after determining your individual characteristics we can develop a treatment schedule that’s best for you.
How far apart in time should laser hair removal treatments be given?
Because the hair removal laser is only effective on actively growing hair follicles, treatments should be spaced apart so that the hair follicles in the area have time to begin growing again. If the treatment is given too soon, that particular treatment episode will not be effective. The answer is dependent upon several factors. But, for the bulk of cases, we suggest about two months between treatments.
What complications and risks are possible?
Lasers have been carefully tested for their safety. Occasionally blisters can develop, and very rarely, scarring or infection. Also there is a possibility of hypo or hyperpigmentation (if this does occur most changes in skin color will fade away over time). But these same effects can also occur with electrolysis and even shaving or waxing.
Are laser hair removal treatments performed in both the Oak Brook office and at the University of Illinois in Chicago office?
We are not currently doing laser hair removal treatments at the University of Illinois in Chicago office, only in the Oak Brook office.
How do I get to the Oak Brook office or the University of Illinois in Chicago office?
Our offices are easy to get to. In Oak Brook, we are in the middle of the Oakbrook Center Mall, in the professional building. In Chicago, in the Chicago Medical District within the University of Illinois College of Medicine campus. For details, check our contact page.
How does Laser Hair Removal work?
Laser Hair Removal uses a low-energy laser to gently remove unwanted hair, putting an end to routine shaving and waxing. This advanced technology transcends the older, painful hair removal treatments to deliver long-lasting results. Because the laser treats more than one hair at a time, it is possible to treat larger areas such as the back, shoulders, arms, legs and face. Laser treatments leave your skin looking and feeling smoother and silkier. Best of all, Laser Hair Removal treatments are a safe, fast, gentle, and effective alternative method for hair removal.
The laser slows the growing capacity of follicles in the growth cycle at the time of the treatment. Since some hair follicles may enter their growth cycle after your treatment, multiple treatments may be required to deliver optimal results. Treatment results will vary from patient to patient depending on skin and hair color.
Removing hair does not make it grow back thicker, darker, or more rapidly, though it often seems that way. This is because hair removal attempts often begin at a time (such as puberty) when the hairs in an area are getting larger and thicker anyway. So when they come back after plucking, etc., they come back larger; but they would come back larger during the next growth cycle for that particular hair anyway. The laser may cause hair to come back slower and thinner.
What do I need to do before my laser hair removal treatment?
Tanning should be avoided. Also you should leave a slight stubble for laser hair removal to be effective. Therefore you should not shave the areas to be treated for about 3 days prior to your treatment. Also avoid waxing, tweezing, or bleaching those areas several weeks before laser treatment.
What about after laser treatment – is any special care required?
After your treatment you can return to your normal activities immediately. The use of sun screen is recommended on any treated areas exposed to the sun, and sun exposure should be minimized before and after laser hair removal treatment.
What about after treatment – will I look presentable?
After laser treatment, there is usually some pinkness or redness in the treated area which goes away after a short time. There are no open wounds, bandages, or anything like that. Most patients leave the office felling that they look presentable, but in some cases, a little makeup is helpful to minimize redness.
Is there a significant recovery period?
No.
How many different hair removal lasers are there?
Lots. There are many hair removal lasers available now, with more becoming available all the time. There are now several different types of systems available for laser hair removal: diode, alexandrite, flashlamp-excited, Nd-YAG, pulsed, long-pulsed, Q-switched, and ruby lasers. In addition, there are intense pulsed light hair removal systems, such as the Photoderm and the EpiLight, which technically are not true lasers. Specific hair removal lasers include: IPL Quantum HR, ESC EpiTouch Alex, Lyra, Palomar Epilaser, Aesculap-Meditech RubyStar and MeDio Star, Altus CoolGlide, Candela GentleLase, Coherent LightSheer, Continuum Medlite IV, Convergent Polaris, Crystal Focus Multipulse NDLP, Diolite Apex 800, and the Cynosure TKS and Apogee 40.
What hair removal lasers do you use?
We use the Apogee, Epitouch, and GentleLase hair removal lasers, as well as other skin lasers. We are continually evaluating the newest technology.
What are the benefits of Laser Hair Removal?
It combines the speed of shaving with the lasting results promised by electrolysis. Laser Hair Removal is effective on almost any area of the body where smoother, younger, hair-free skin is desired. Larger areas can be treated more easily using lasers than with electrolysis, waxing or tweezing
How is Laser Hair Removal different from electrolysis?
Electrolysis is a much slower process. With electrolysis, a needle is actually inserted into each hair follicle, one at a time. Once inserted, an electric shock burns the follicle to retard hair growth. Laser Hair Removal uses the light of the laser to scan the treatment area and within minutes, all of the growing hairs in the laser’s beam are treated. Most patients who have had both procedures say that Laser Hair Removal is less painful, faster and more convenient.
