| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |
| |
|
|
| How many treatments will I need? |
| |
The number of treatments you will need for optimal long term
results depends on several factors. These include the area which you
wish to have treated, the hair density, your skin type, and your hair's
growth cycle. Your hair grows in cycles and many factors
influence its growth. Age, ethnicity, weight, hormones, diet,
medications, and metabolism all play an important role in your hair's
thickness, rate of growth, and ability to reduced by the laser. Most
people require at least 3 and usually 4-5 treatments to see optimal results. |
|
| |
|
|
| Which areas can be treated? |
| |
Any area with a hair follicle can be treated. We treat
all areas. As a gynecology office, we are very familiar with requests
for treatment of a variety of areas. |
|
| |
|
|
| Are there any patients who can't be treated? |
| |
Unlike most laser systems, the Coolglide allows treatment of
any skin type. Those with a history of keloidal scars, who are
diabetic,
pregnant, taking any medicines which cause sun sensitivity, or who have any active infection should not be treated.
Those with a history of herpes infection (either cold sores, or genital
herpes) should realize that treatment in any affected area may cause an
outbreak, and anyone with an active outbreak should avoid treatment.
|
|
| |
|
|
| How exactly does this work? |
| |
Click here for the
answer in more detail. Basically the Coolglide laser produces a laser
beam in the 1064nm wavelength. This is absorbed more by the hair
follicle or unwanted vein than it is by the skin, and the integrated cooling
device also protects the skin. Thus the hair root or unwanted vein is
damaged and destroyed, while leaving the skin unharmed. |
|
| |
|
|
| What are my alternatives? |
| |
In the past, typical remedies for unwanted hair were
plucking, shaving, or waxing. Variants of these methods have been
around as long as humans have existed! More modern alternatives
include chemical depilatories, some of which are painful, messy, and all are
temporary. Electrolysis is a popular and effective long term hair
removal treatment, but can be painful and slow. It requires each
individual hair to be treated with an electrical current and can take months
or years of frequent, regular visits in order to treat even small areas. |
|
| |
|
|
| Is laser treatment painful? |
| |
Some areas of the body are more sensitive than others.
Most patients do not report significant pain but discomfort should be
expected. The sensation is
described by most as similar to having a rubber-band snapped against the
skin or like the spatter of small flecks of hot grease against the skin. The
thicker and denser the hair is, the more discomfort will likely be present.
For very tender areas, or for patients with very low pain tolerance, topical anesthetic agents can be prescribed, but
this may decrease the effectiveness of the
treatments and are not required by the vast majority of patients.
Treatments are generally brief, and the majority of the discomfort is almost
instantaneous. As the remaining hairs become fewer, subsequent
treatments for hair removal are generally less uncomfortable. |
|
| |
| How long does a treatment take? |
| |
Varies based on area. An upper lip will take only a few
minutes, while a man's back may take more than an hour. |
|
| |
|
|
| What does each treatment involve? |
| |
After a consultation visit in which you are determined to be
a candidate for laser treatment, you will be scheduled for your first
treatment. You will be asked to wear eye protection (goggles).
You may not wear any makeup, skin lotion, deodorant or any other applied
material to any area to be treated. The area to be treated will need to be shaved. A small hand piece will
then be placed over the area and the skin will be cooled. A very brief laser pulse will then be fired. The probe is then
repositioned and this process is repeated as needed for the entire area desired. After
the treatment is over, a skin cream will be applied and you will be asked to
avoid direct sun exposure for 24-48 hours. |
|
| |
|
|
| I'm really embarrassed about the area I want
treated... |
| |
Dr. Prior is a gynecologist and deals with sensitive and
highly personal issues on a daily basis. Your desire for treatment is
handled with sensitivity, and strict confidentiality. Believe me, you
won't be the first one with any certain request. If you would prefer a female
technician, we have a female R.N. on staff who can provide the treatments. |
|
| |
|
|
| What does "permanent reduction" mean - is
this really permanent? Why is it not called "permanent hair removal?" |
| |
Laser devices that are approved by the FDA specifically for
hair treatments are strictly regulated. The government defines
permanent hair "removal" as the removal of ALL hair in a treatment
area. For reasons as described in the "how it works section" we know this cannot be
accomplished with any existing system (fine, vellus
hairs that are not objectionable are still there). Thus there is no
available system that can claim permanent laser "removal". The bottom line for
patients is that the laser is a highly effective method of
removing unwanted hair with excellent long term results. Several
treatments are required due to hair biology, but once a hair follicle is
destroyed, that hair will not grow back. New follicles may
activate in the future which can require additional treatments, but these
are infrequent. Here is the
FDA's
official position on this topic. Note their definitions of
removal. |
|
| |
|
|
| Are there any side effects? |
| |
Immediately after the treatment the skin will frequently be pink and
slightly swollen, very similar to a mild sunburn. This will generally
subside within a few hours and the skin will look normal. Occasionally
a patient will have temporary pigment changes, blistering, or scabbing.
As with electrolysis, cases of scarring have been reported but these are
extremely rare. Rarely permanent pigment changes can occur.
|
|
| |
| How much does this cost? |
| |
Our fee schedule
lists prices |
|
| |
|
|
| Does insurance pay for this? |
| |
No, this is a cosmetic procedure. We do not bill insurance companies for these services.
We accept cash, credit card, or personal checks for in-area residents.
Services are payable at the time of visit. |
|
| |
|
|
| How can I begin? |
| |
Call our office at 740-622-7144 to arrange a consultation
visit. We will answer any remaining questions and discuss your course
of treatment. We hope you are as enthused as we are about this
exciting
new technology. |
|
| |
|
|
