Dermavita uses the most advanced laser treatment for long-term or permanent hair removal available - The diode laser system.

All treatments are performed by an experienced registered nurse to ensure the safety of our patients.

How does it work? The LightSheer laser has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for permanent hair removal. The beam of laser light targets the pigment contained within the hair follicle below the skin surface. The laser energy is selectively absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and hair shaft which severely damages the growth center of the hair. The end result is destruction of the hair or restriction of re-growth. The hair follicles in the active growth phase absorb the most amount of laser energy due to the high concentration of pigment. Optimum removal of all or most hair in a given area requires 3 to 5 sessions which are separated by 4 to 6 week intervals. Some individuals may require more sessions.

What are the advantages of Laser Hair Removal?
It is important to note that laser hair removal is a non-invasive method of photoepilation, which does not require needles or chemical creams. The advantages of laser hair removal include:

What are the limitations/disadvantages of Laser Hair Removal? Although laser hair removal is an excellent treatment option, some patients may experience hair re-growth. However, this hair is usually finer and lighter in color. Possible side effects, though very rare, may include scars, burns, redness and swelling. The process is also not as effective on unpigmented (gray) hairs and red or blonde hair.

What areas can be treated with laser?
Any area, except adjacent to the eye, where there is excess hair can be treated with laser. The most common areas requested are the face, upper lip, neck, chest, periareolar, underarms, back, abdomen, bikini line, and legs.

How fast is laser hair removal?
One of the main advantages of laser hair removal procedures is the speed of the treatment in combination with the long lasting results. For example, to remove hair from the back with laser hair removal usually takes about an hour.
In contrast, a full back hair removal with electrolysis can take up to and over 125 hours.

What are some pre-treatment instructions?
While the process in itself is considered to be very safe, individuals opting for laser hair removal should preferably follow the following pre-treatment tips:

What are the post-treatment instructions? It is common to experience redness or bumps after the treatment. A cold compress often helps in this scenario. Apart from this, general precautions to take after laser hair removal treatment include:

Are there any side effects?
In most cases there are no side effects associated with the procedure.
However, pigmentary change of the skin treated can occur, including either dark or light areas. Pigmentary changes may persist for months, but are almost always temporary. They are very rare in patients with fair skin, who are untanned. Blisters and burns are rare, but occasionally occur, particularly in patients with dark skin.

How does skin color affect the results?
Light skin makes laser hair removal easier to perform. Fewer treatments are required, and better, faster results are obtained. People with darker skin can be treated, but results are slower, more sessions are required, and greater expertise is required on the part of the laser center. Laser hair removal must be individualized for each patient.

Does hair color have any impact?
Dark hair absorbs more laser energy and is, therefore, much easier to treat. Coarse dark hair responds the best to laser treatment. Light hair is more difficult to treat, while blonde or red hair being extremely difficult to treat. Multiple treatment sessions are required, and results are variable. Blonde or red hair usually contains pheomelanin, which absorbs laser energy less avidly than the eumelanin pigment which is present in black or brown hair.

What are the effects of tanning on laser hair removal results? Having a tan increases your risk of side effects such as blistering and discoloration. Due to the fact that on a tanned skin, the laser tends to aim at the surrounding skin rather than the hair, scarring of the skin may also occur.

Does diet have an impact on the treatment?
Diet is generally unrelated to laser hair removal treatment, except for Beta-carotene, which interferes with the treatment. Beta-carotene, which is normally found in carrots, vitamin A supplements, squash, and other vegetables, is deposited in the skin, producing a subtle orange or yellow color in the skin. This pigment absorbs laser energy, preventing it from reaching the hair follicle, and increasing the absorption of laser energy in the skin. Beta-carotene persists for months after ingestion. Patients interested in the best results from laser hair removal will benefit from discontinuation of the use of all forms of beta-carotene.

How to assess a laser hair removal facility?
Before opting for a treatment, it is always a good idea to research the qualifications of the Medical Director of the facility. Is he or she Board Certified in Dermatology or Plastic Surgery Are all personnel performing the procedure licensed doctors or Registered Nurses? Is the atmosphere professional? Since this is a medical procedure, it should be selected with the same care you give while selecting a doctor or a surgeon.

Questions to ask your doctor or nurse before the procedure?
Please make sure that the person treating you is:

What can I expect at my consultation?
A qualified doctor or nurse with training and experience in laser hair removal may be best suited to decide whether you're a candidate for laser hair removal and, if so, what type of laser may work best for you. During an initial consultation, your doctor will ask about your medical history, assesses your skin type and explains the risks and benefits of laser hair removal. To reduce the risk of complications, your doctor may ask you to refrain from taking medications such as aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or dietary supplements such as niacin and vitamin E. If you have a tan from sun exposure or sunless tanning products, you must wait until the tan fades completely before you can undergo laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal is effective only on short, visible hair. Two to three days before the procedure, you shave the area to be treated, and allow it to grow to a stubble. Avoid waxing or plucking the hair. Ask your doctor about ways to minimize the discomfort of laser hair removal. He or she may advise you to apply a thick layer of an over-the-counter cream containing the anesthetic lidocaine to your skin 45 minutes before treatment.

Is laser hair removal covered by insurance?
Laser hair removal is considered to be cosmetic and is therefore, not covered by insurance. The patient is responsible for payment.

What to expect during the laser hair removal procedure?
The length of a laser session may range from a few minutes to an hour or more depending on the size of the area being treated. How long the procedure takes depends on the area of the body involved. A small area such as the upper lip may take several minutes. A larger area such as the back may require several hours.
Since laser tends to treat hair follicles that are in an active growth phase, more than one treatment may be required to disable hair follicles that subsequently enter this growth phase.
During the procedure, laser light will be delivered through a hand held piece attached to a laser console. You may experience a stinging sensation as the laser pulse is delivered. To reduce discomfort, the cooling system automatically removes heat from the surface of your skin before, during and after the laser exposure. You should not need general anesthesia or pain medication, but a topical anesthetic cream may be applied to sensitive areas. The process can take from just a few minutes for an upper lip to several hours for a full back and legs.
Laser treatment itself may cause a slight tingling sensation. Most patients tolerate the procedure well. But because some areas of the body are more sensitive than others, topical anesthesia can be an option. The appearance of the treated area immediately after the laser session will vary from patient to patient depending on the extent of treatment and skin type. Immediate after-effects, if any, are minor. They may include redness and swelling, which disappear in a short time. Most people return to normal activity right away.
During the procedure, you wear goggles to protect your eyes from accidental exposure to laser light. The procedure causes a slight charring of your stubble. You may notice a strong odor of singed hair, which is normal. Afterwards, you may experience some temporary redness and swelling.