Chicago Laser Hair Removal: Refine Medical Spa Laser Hair Removal Treatment

Please click on a topic below to learn more about Chicago Laser Hair Removal at Refine Medical Spa:

An Introduction to Laser Hair Removal
What is Laser Hair Removal and How Does It Work?
How Long Does a Laser Hair Removal Appointment Take?
How is Laser Hair Removal Performed Exactly?
Are There Any Side Effects?
Is Laser Hair Removal Right For Me?
Is the Effect of Laser Hair Removal Permanent?
Before and After Photos

An Introduction to Laser Hair Removal

Lasers have been used for many years for a variety of medical cosmetic procedures including treatment of facial and leg veins, age spots and rejuvenating the skin on the face. Our system, a revolutionary long-pulse high energy alexandrite laser emits a gentle beam of light that passes through the skin to the hair follicle where it is absorbed. The laser energy is transformed into heat, which destroys the hair follicle leaving the surrounding skin unaffected. The skin is further protected during a treatment whereby cryogen is sprayed on to the skin cooling the upper layers and providing patients with increased comfort. Our system helps to protect the skin, while effectively treating the unwanted hair.

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What is Laser Hair Removal and How Does It Work?

Laser hair removal is a noninvasive method of photoepilation, which does not require needles or messy chemical creams. Your Refine Medical Spa professional will deliver short laser pulses using a laser. Each flash of laser light disables a large number of hair follicles in less than a second. Since thousands of hairs can be zapped in a single treatment session, large areas like the back, shoulders, arms and legs can be effectively and efficiently treated. Some patients report a small stinging sensation during treatment, but the procedure is very effective.

Advantages of laser hair removal over waxing, shaving, plucking and electrolysis include a longer window of hair regrowth, less pain and fewer visits than electrolysis, less chance of an allergic reaction, less chance of ingrown hairs, no waxing is required before treatment, hair does not need to be grown out before treatment and no anesthesia is required.

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How Long Does a Laser Hair Removal Appointment Take?

The amount of time your laser hair removal will take depends entirely on the size of the skin area being treated. For example, hair can be removed from the face and bikini area in less than 30 minutes. Larger areas, including the legs or chest will require more time.

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How is Laser Hair Removal Performed Exactly?

Laser hair removal gently removes unwanted hair from the face, neck, legs, chest and back. The light energy from the laser causes thermal injury to the hair follicle. This occurs because laser light is converted into heat when it reaches the skin and is absorbed in the target pigment melanin found in the hair follicle. When the temperature reaches a high enough level in a hair follicle during its active phase, the targeted hair structures are disabled, which then inhibits hair re-growth. Some patients remain hair-free for up to 2 years.

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Are There Any Side Effects?

Laser hair removal can be described as mildly uncomfortable, but not painful. For sensitive facial and body areas, a topical anesthetic can be administered. Within several minutes of the treatment, the treated area will become slightly red and puffy. Within a few hours to a few days, this reaction subsides and the area returns to normal.

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Types of Lasers Used

A Refine Medical Spa professional will determine which laser is best suited to you. We currently use three different types of laser depending on your skin and hair type:

• Aurora Laser™: blonde, red gray & black skin, all skin types and hair color.
• Candela Gentle Lase™: is not used for white or gray.
• Vasulight™: is not used for white or gray.

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Is Laser Hair Removal Right For Me?

It is always best to consult with a Refine Medical Spa professional to determine whether or not laser hair removal is right for you. To determine if you are a good candidate for laser hair removal, please refer to the following chart and determine results based on your hair and skin type:

• White Skin: Always burn in the sun, never tan
  • Black or Brown Hair - Candidacy: Excellent
  • Red or Blonde Hair - Candidacy: Difficult
  • Gray Hair - Candidacy: Poor
• White Skin: Usually always burn in the sun, sometimes tan
  • Black or Brown Hair - Candidacy: Excellent
  • Red or Blonde Hair - Candidacy: Difficult
  • Gray Hair - Candidacy: Poor
• White Skin: Sometimes burn in the sun, always tan
  • Black or Brown Hair - Candidacy: Excellent
  • Red or Blonde Hair - Candidacy: Difficult
  • Gray Hair - Candidacy: Poor
• White Skin: Rarely burn in the sun, always tan
  • Black or Brown Hair - Candidacy: Excellent
  • Red or Blonde Hair - Candidacy: Difficult
  • Gray Hair - Candidacy: Poor
• Brown Skin: Moderately pigmented - Candidacy: Difficult
• Black Skin - Candidacy: Poor

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Is the Effect of Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

The laser works by disabling hairs that are in their active growth cycle at the time of treatment. Since other hairs will enter their growth cycles at different times, additional treatments may be necessary to disable all of the follicles in a given area. Everyone will require at least 2-3 treatments as the process is only effective on hair during the early growing cycle. Repeat sessions will be necessary to treat these follicles when they re-enter the early growth phase.

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Before and After Photos

Leg Before	Leg After
Chin Before	Chin After
Underarm Before	Underarm After
Back Before	Back After

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Contact us for further information or to book a consultation. Click here to redirect to our Contact Us page. Please fill out the online form and a Refine Medical Spa professional will get back to you as soon as possible.