About Laser Hair Removal
What is laser hair removal? How does it work?
Laser hair removal is an effective, long-term solution for reducing unwanted hair. It uses concentrated light to target and damage the hair follicle, which prevents future hair growth, offering permanent hair reduction.
During the procedure, the handpiece, operated by your skilled professional, emits an intense beam of light. This light is absorbed by the melanin in the hair and converted into heat. The heat specifically targets the cells in the hair follicle, including the hair bulb and bulge, while leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed.
At Preferred Laser, we use the GentleMax Pro, a cutting-edge device with a dual wavelength laser (Alexandrite- 755 nm and Nd: YAG-1064 nm) that allows us to offer a range of services and skin types. It has become the gold standard for hair removal worldwide, trusted by thousands of professionals.
The Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD) built into the GentleMax Pro offers additional comfort by cooling and protecting the epidermis during treatment. The cryogen used in this system is a non-flammable, non-toxic compressed gas (commonly used in asthma inhalers), ensuring a safe and soothing experience. Clients will feel a cooling burst of air followed by a brief surge of heat, which is often described as a quick rubber band snap.
We recommend 6 to 8 consecutive sessions, spaced 3-6 weeks apart for facial areas and 5-8 weeks for the body. These sessions allow us to effectively target hairs in the active growth phase, which is when laser hair removal is most effective. After completing your initial series, you'll enter the maintenance phase, with maintenance needed around 2 to 6 times a year to keep your results smooth and long-lasting.
For more details, please refer to our FAQ guide below or visit the FAQs page for questions on all of our services. If you have any further questions or need assistance, feel free to visit our Contact page—we’re always here to help!
Benefits
Less frequent shaving
Less razor burn, ingrown hairs, and overall irritation
Less “shadowing” or noticeable stubble after shaving
Hairless even in hard-to-reach spots
Long-lasting results
All skin types eligible
Improved texture and tone
More efficient, versatile, and cost-effective than other hair removal methods
FAQs
Laser Hair Removal is considered mildly painful but very tolerable. The sensation is similar in comparison to a hot rubber band snap, and severity of sensation commonly decreases with more treatments as the hair becomes thinner.
Our laser technology incorporates a Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD) that utilizes cryogen to help aid comfortability during treatment. This cooling mechanism is one of the most effective and efficient options for client comfortability. We also have cool compresses and other topicals after treatment if needed.
The Candela GentleMax Pro is a versatile system that has both the Alexandrite and Nd:YAG wavelengths to successfully and comfortably treat all skin types!
We recommend 6-8 consecutive sessions scheduled every 3-6 weeks for the face and 5-8 weeks for the body before entering maintenance. Appointments are then scheduled less frequently, with touch-ups needed approximately 2-6 times a year on average. It’s important to note that some individuals with hormonal imbalances may need more consecutive and frequent sessions before achieving desired results.
During each session, we focus on targeting hairs in the anagen phase, or the active growth phase. In this phase, the hair is fully anchored to the follicle and contains the highest levels of melanin, making it most responsive to treatment.
It's important to note that not all hairs are in the same phase at the same time. Our body’s hairs are in different stages of growth, namely anagen, catagen (the transitional phase), and telogen (the resting phase). Because these phases don't occur simultaneously, it takes time for each hair to move through its cycle. This is why multiple sessions are necessary to effectively target hairs in the anagen phase, which is when they’re most likely to respond to treatment.
With each session, as more hairs enter the anagen phase and are treated, you’ll notice any hair that does regrow will be finer and thinner, which is why occasional maintenance sessions are recommended to ensure long-term results and target any new growth cycles.
We consider sun exposure anything longer than 20 minutes in direct sunlight (with sunscreen), and here's why:
The chromophore for laser hair removal is melanin. The laser uses light energy which is then converted to heat that damages the active hair follicle. This is why it is important to stay out of the sun before treatments because the risk of the laser targeting active melanin in the skin over the melanin in the follicle becomes more relevant with sun exposure. The importance of no sun exposure after treatment is because if even more heat is applied after treatment, this can run a risk of hyperpigmentation, burns, and/or worsening irritation of any present side effects.
Laser Hair Removal cannot target blonde, grey, light red, or white hair. The laser cannot treat inside the orbital bone, on palms of hands and feet, tattoos, open wounds, or infected skin. Certain medications or health and skin conditions can pose a risk for adverse reactions.
Clients can commonly experience mild sensitivity such as perifollicular erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) that can appear as red-raised goosebumps with the possibility of a warm or itchy sensation. The heat and itchiness sensation can be easily alleviated with topical skincare such as aloe vera and hydrocortisone, or an oral antihistamine like Benadryl. The redness and swelling could last anywhere between a few minutes to a few hours, and in rare cases a few days. Some people may not notice anything at all! If pre and post care is followed and service is performed by a trained professional, there is minimal to no risk for adverse reactions such as bruising, hyperpigmentation, prolonged redness/swelling, blistering, and scarring.
No downtime required! There are pre and post care instructions, but clients can resume their normal daily activities immediately after treatment. Many clients often get treatments during lunch breaks!
Laser Hair Removal is considered safe when performed by a qualified professional. The laser utilizes non-ionizing radiation, which poses no risk for cancer or damage to the cells. Adhering to recommended pre and post treatment care further minimizes the risk of adverse effects. The GentleMax Pro is FDA, CE, and TGA cleared.
Yes! Shaving is also a great method of exfoliation to aid the shedding of damaged hair targeted by the laser. We recommend avoiding waxing, shaving, and plucking of any hair to ensure the follicle will be targeted during your next session. We also recommend shaving at least 24 hours prior to your appointment to ensure the most effective treatment and reduce the risk of skin irritation.
Children under age 8 are not permitted in the treatment rooms unless they are accompanied by another guardian not receiving treatment. Minors (under 18) must have signed parental consent before receiving treatment and must be at least 12 years old.
Unfortunately, the laser cannot treat over tattoos. The laser will target the ink in the tattoo, causing risk for adverse effects such as burns, blisters, tattoo malformation, and scarring. Our laser technology is designed to adjust to smaller spot sizes, allowing for precise treatment in the gaps and crevices of tattoos, ensuring effective and thorough coverage.
Yes! Shaving is also a great method of exfoliation to aid the shedding of damaged hair targeted by the laser. We recommend avoiding waxing, shaving, and plucking of any hair to ensure the follicle will be targeted during your next session. We also recommend shaving at least 24 hours prior to your appointment to ensure the most effective treatment and reduce the risk of skin irritation.
- Avoid sun exposure 4-6 weeks before and after treatment. Epidermal melanocytes compete with melanin in the hair.
- Shave at least 24 hours prior to treatment in the desired area.
- Your provider may ask you to stop any photosensitizing medications or skin care products 3-5 days prior to treatment.
- Avoid bleaching, plucking or waxing hair for 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 had a history of perioral or genital herpes simplex virus, your provider may have recommended a prophylactic antiviral therapy. Follow the directions for your particular antiviral medication.
- RECENTLY TANNED SKIN CANNOT BE TREATED! If treated 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 self tanner should be removed prior to treatment.
- Immediately after treatment, there may 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. The severity of irritation depends on the individual, some may notice nothing while others can appear as red-raised goosebumps.
- Your professional may use an optional cooling method after treatment to ensure your comfort.
- 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) for a minimum of 2 weeks.
- 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 6 weeks after the laser treatment is performed. Shaving only should be done between treatments. Shaving can also aid in the exfoliation of the shedding treated hair.
- Several days to weeks 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, clean Loofah sponge, or gentle exfoliant.
- After the underarm is treated, you may wish to use a powder instead of a deodorant for 24 hours after the treatment to reduce skin irritation.
- Treat the skin gently, as if you had sunburn, for the first 24-48 hours. Keep the skin cool and avoid strenuous activity that can cause the body to overheat.