LASER & DERM SKIN CARE CENTER

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LASER & DERM SKIN CARE CENTER

7420 Quivira Road, Suite 102
Shawnee, KS 66216-3557
(913) 962-1869

LASER HAIR REMOVAL
KANSAS CITY

Our lasers can treat ALL skin types for hair removal, including ethnic skin types. We have the newest and most effective technology to protect pigmented skin. Further, the StarLux hair removal system, which is the newest technology, is considerably less painful than other hair removal systems from our patient comments that have been to other clinics and used other systems, because it has one of the best cooling systems in the business. We have great prices in Kansas City for laser hair removal.

OUR CLINIC HAS FOUR DIFFERENT HAIR REMOVAL SYSTEMS, BUT WE LIKE THE STARLUX 500 SYSTEM THE BEST.

StarLux 500 is the most powerful, and in our opinion the highest quality aesthetic system in the world. It delivers the highest powered light pulses to kill the hair follicle, and at the same time is, in our opinion, the most comfortable hair removal system in existence. The StarLux has one of the coldest "contact" refrigerated IPL hair removal head systems in the world, which makes it extremely comfortable, and puts other systems to shame. Our clinic has had patients frequently comment about the effectiveness and comfortableness of the StarLux compared to their previous clinic or spa. Frequently patients switch to our clinic for it's high quality systems and Dr. Leiker and his staff's experience. After experiencing the StarLux System for Hair Removal, they are amazed at the fabulous results, and ease and comfort of the treatment.






Beware of warranties, guarantees, scare tactics, and hard sales! They are used by the franchise clinics to con people into “higher priced” sessions, “excessive numbers” of treatments, or “expensive package deals”. All warranty and guarantee contracts are set up to have many “exclusion criteria” to break and void the warranty agreement . They are a waste of your money; please do not fall for these gimmicks! You will simply pay more for the clinics with their million dollar buildings and furnishings and the endless array of radio and television ads they bombard on the public with false promises and "scare tactics". They like to scare people that only their equipment will work.

The radio DJ's promoting these ads almost always have gotten a free series of treatments for themselves, is this who you want to trust for advice.
Remember, you are paying for all this marketing cost in your treatments.

You can simply scroll down in this window to read the entire discussion from start to finish:

01. How does laser/pulsed light hair removal work?
02. How do newer lasers differ from older laser systems?
03. What areas of the body can be treated?
04. What are the benefits of laser hair removal compared to alternative treatments?
05. What are the advantages over electrolysis?
06. Is it expensive?
07. What are the prices for the most commonly treated body areas?
08. Is laser hair reduction covered by insurance?
09. Is the cost of laser hair removal a tax deductible medical expense?
10. What are the risks of laser hair removal?
11. Is laser hair removal "permanent"?
12. Should I expect to be "hair free" in the treated area after the series of treatments?
13. How much hair will grow back, and how fast will it grow back?
14. Why are at least 4 treatment sessions usually needed?
15. Previous laser treatment?
16. Am I a good candidate for laser hair removal?
17. Which hair colors respond best to treatment?
18. Questions to ask yourself when considering laser hair reduction.
19. What are Hirsutism and Hypertrichosis?
20. What is Unwanted Female Facial Hair?
21. How can I get the best value from each treatment?
22. What is a "test area", and why is it sometimes performed?
23. Moles, freckles and tattoos in the area to be treated?
24. What will happen on the treatment day?
25. Does it hurt?
26. What will happen after treatment?
27. Why does the hair sometimes look like it's growing for 1-3 weeks post treatment?
28. Are there any restrictions on my activity after treatment?
29. Pre-treatment instructions
30. Post-treatment instructions

Laser Hair Removal Kansas City
1. How does removal work?
The laser/pulsed light is a non-invasive light therapy device specifically designed to eliminate undesired hair from all parts of the body. The laser/pulsed light generates a pulse of intense, concentrated light which is directed through a small handpiece which is gently applied to the treatment site. This laser/pulsed light energy passes through the skin to the hair follicle, where the energy is absorbed by pigment in the hair and hair follicle, causing selective damage to the hair root without damaging delicate pores and structures of the skin. Hair is shed over the next 2 weeks. The hair roots which have been destroyed are reabsorbed by the body. Unlike "hair-by-hair" treatments like electrolysis, the laser uses a wide beam which treats many hairs at once. It is possible to treat larger areas such as the back, shoulders, arms, legs and face. The laser can be used just about anywhere on the body, and usually requires no anesthesia or other treatment. Even sensitive areas such as the nipples, upper lip and bikini line can be treated easily and with minimal discomfort. Dark and coarser hair responds the best, and blond, gray, or thinner hair responds the least. Hormones can also effect the hair follicle and vary the result.

2. How do newer lasers differ from older laser systems?
Intense pulsed light - these systems (newer one's built since 2005) are flash lamps producing a spectrum of light energy rather than laser light. Intense pulsed light systems often have larger treatment heads than many lasers, and thus take less treatment time, making it more convenient for the patient. Our office's pulsed light system (very sophisticated technology) works on all skin types, but it is wise to avoid a fresh suntan to reduce risks with any laser or pulsed light system.

Other types of lasers (older laser systems):
First generation Ruby 694 nanometer (Considered An Ancient System) Second generation Alexandrite 755 nanometer (Considered Old Technology) Third generation Diode 800-810 nanometer (LightSheerâ„¢, Apexâ„¢) (Out of date technology, although many clinics still advertise the LightSheer as up-to-date) These relatively short wavelength lasers can produce good results in some circumstances, but because they produce light which has a shorter wavelength, their laser energy both scatters more in the skin, and is mostly absorbed in the top few millimeters of the skin, above many of the hair roots. This means that sometimes not enough energy reaches the hair roots, where it is needed. Short wavelength lasers can be difficult or impossible to safely use on people with dark, tanned or black skin.

Other newer systems, like ND:YAG lasers use deeper penetrating 1064 nanometer wavelengths. They often reach even the deepest hair roots, which can be 4-6 mm below the skin surface in some cases.

Our office uses the newest most powerful StarLux pulsed light system (5th Generation) and/or the long 1064 nanometer wavelength of the ND:YAG. It is possible to safely and effectively treat all people -- even those with very dark or black skin. Try not to have a fresh suntan (within one week of appt.) when you come in for treatment, the treatment is always better. Tanning can make for more sessions, because the power may need to be reduced.

3. What areas of the body can be treated?
ALL parts of the body can be treated (and are treated) with our hair removing laser and pulsed light systems. In women, the most common areas for treatment are the upper lip, chin, bikini line, arms, legs, and underarms. In men, the most common areas for treatment are shoulders, back, chest, abdomen, and the beard area. While it is technically possible to treat even the eyelashes and eyebrows, we do not treat those areas because of the inherent risks involved of being able to exactly shape these areas




4. What are the benefits of laser/pulsed light hair removal compared to alternative treatments?
The primary benefits of laser/pulsed light hair removal include:
o Larger areas may be treated with less discomfort than with electrolysis, waxing, tweezing, or plucking.
o They combine speed, comfort and long lasting reduction.
o They work on any area of the body where a hair-free appearance is desired.
o Even though they are safe for use on pregnant women, we ask that you avoid treatments at that time. Please inform us if you are pregnant, and we can arrange treatment after you have delivered. We do not do treatments on pregnant patients or nursing mothers.

Laser/pulsed light hair removal offers you a long-term reduction in both the amount of hair, and also in many cases a reduction in thickness and color of hair shafts which do grow back. Hair removal methods like plucking or waxing which cause irritation may actually stimulate hair growth. This happens because one way the body defends itself against having hair pulled out is to produce thicker, stronger hairs which are harder to pull out next time. Another advantage of laser treatments is that your skin can be kept nice and smooth between treatments by shaving -- you will never again have to grow your hair out long enough to be waxed or plucked. Laser/pulsed light hair removal offers long lasting reduction, and even if hair does eventually grow back it is usually finer in texture and lighter in color than the original hair, and much less of a cosmetic problem. No system can guarantee 100% permanent hair removal forever (anyone that says this is lying and in violation of Fair Trade Practices)! When a franchise clinic tells you hair is gone 100% permanent forever, this is fraudulent and in violation of FDA regulations.





5. What are the advantages over electrolysis?
It has been said that: "Removing hair by electrolysis is like mowing grass -- one blade at a time!" With electrolysis, the operator inserts a needle into the hair follicle and tries to have the needle tip reach the hair root. The operator then triggers a small electrical charge to disable the hair root. The hair from that follicle is then removed with tweezers. Electrolysis can be an excellent technique for the removal of: - a small numbers of hairs. - hairs from areas where it is difficult to use the laser (under the eyebrows, near the eyes, and deep in the ears and nose). - white and very pale blonde hair (which does not absorb laser light efficiently) sometimes benefits from electrolysis. For example, electrolysis can be useful for white or light colored hairs which do not respond to laser treatment. Some people who have a mixture of dark and white hairs will have laser treatment to remove as many of the dark hairs as possible, then have electrolysis to remove any leftover white hairs. There can be considerable variation in the results between electrolysis therapists, and the rate of permanent hair loss has been reported to be from 15% to 50%. Electrolysis can be a tedious process and is a difficult undertaking for some patients. Even a small area like the face, for example, in the case of a woman with heavy facial hair, could require electrolysis for 2 -3 hours per week for 2 years, with further treatments over an undetermined period of time, for a total treatment time exceeding 210 hours. Despite its popularity over the past two decades and its use for over 100 years, there is little in the medical and scientific literature about electrolysis. Hair removal is much faster with a laser/pulsed light system because each "pulse" of laser light disables a large number of hair follicles, and pulses can be delivered as often as twice every second. Electrolysis operators can only treat those hairs that they can see and which they can reach the follicle through the hair shaft. The laser/pulsed light treats all "active" follicles, even if the hair has not yet reached the surface of the skin, is "ingrown", or if the hair shaft is not straight.

6. Many people want laser hair removal, but everyone wonders: "Is it expensive?"
You will find that the fees listed below for laser hair removal using the efficient, effective, lasers/pulsed light systems are surprisingly affordable. Fees are per treatment session and must be paid with Visa, MasterCard, approved check, or cash in full at the time of service. Individual treatments are expected to be paid on the day of the treatment session. Ask us if any coupons are running, they will often be on the web site to print. No referral is required, please call and set up a free office laser consultation. Treatment may be scheduled for the same day as the consultation if there is a time slot available, or may be scheduled for a later date.

7. (Price per treatment session): Our lasers are among the few in the Kansas City Metro Area that can treat ALL skin types for hair removal, including ethnic skin types. We have the newest and most effective technology to protect pigmented skin. Don't be suckered by clinics offering cheap prices but requiring excessive numbers of treatments or "packages" or by "guarantees" that come with a much higher price per treatment. Patient's should compare the overall cost of the entire treatment program. Prices posted below are all individual treatments. *For the best permanent hair reduction, we recommend a minimum of five or six treatments in the same treatment area. Even doing one or two treatments results in significant hair reduction and decreases the coarseness of hair.

Kansas City Laser Hair Removal Prices:

Click For Best Laser/IPL Hair Removal Prices


(We can give you a better estimate with your consultation, based on the clinical exam of your cosmetic concerns). In most cases, we can commit to an exact fee after the laser consultation.

8. Is laser hair reduction covered by insurance?
Laser/pulsed light treatments are considered cosmetic procedures and are NOT covered by insurance. The improvement in self-image, personal satisfaction, and rewarding oneself can often be said to be "some of the best money spent." The improvement in well being and image including personal relationships, social interactions, and the confidence in the work place should be strong considerations for deciding on any laser/pulsed light cosmetic procedure.

9. Is the cost of laser hair removal a tax deductible medical expense?
Like fees paid to physicians, dentists, and orthodontists for other medical services, fees to physicians for laser hair removal services may be tax deductible medical expenses, consult your tax adviser! Often medical savings plans will cover and reimburse you for laser and cosmetic treatments, contact your plan administrator.





10. What are the risks of laser hair removal?
Short-term side effects may include a slight reddening of the skin or local swelling which typically lasts less than an hour, although it may very infrequently last a few days. Long wavelength 1064 lasers and pulsed light treatments are less likely than older lasers to cause prolonged irritation, pigment changes or blistering. Rarely (perhaps 1-2 cases out of a hundred) there can be increased or decreased pigment in the treated area. This is seldom a major cosmetic problem, and generally resolves after several months. Even a single blister is very rare (less than one in a hundred). The light does not cause skin cancer. Even though adverse reactions are rare, no one can guarantee that they will not occur in some individuals, we do everything in our power to try and reduce any incidence of adverse reactions, but even with the best of care, they can still occur in certain individuals because of various individual sensitivities, genetic variances, and allergies to laser/pulsed light, which is impossible to predict or know in advance of the treatment. Try to reduce fresh suntans or sun exposure before any laser and pulsed light treatments. Unlike plucking, waxing, tweezing, laser hair removal does not run the risk of making hair grow back thicker, darker, or quicker. After laser/pulsed light treatment, hair growth will frequently be delayed, AND if and when hair does grow back, it is often lighter, finer, and less dense.

11. Is laser hair removal "permanent"? "Permanent hair removal" means: "ALL the hair is gone, FOREVER!" (and no one should be claiming this, avoid them, since they are misleading you). There is NO hair removal method (including laser) which can guarantee anybody "permanent hair removal forever". Due to hormonal stimulation it is possible after 2-3 years that there may be some hair regrowth in the treated area. The most realistic description of the results after laser/pulsed light treatment is: "long-term hair REDUCTION". This means: "After four to six treatments the total amount of hair is greatly reduced -- generally by 70% to 90% -- and hair which does grow is often much finer and lighter in color." Most people are very pleased with this degree of improvement, as long as they know that this is what to expect before they have laser hair removal treatment. It is important for you to realize that after having between four and six treatment sessions it is VERY LIKELY that there WILL BE a very substantial reduction in both the amount of hair and also a reduction in the thickness and color of the hair in the treated areas.. However, we do know that stable, long-term hair reduction commonly lasts for at least two years, and some patients who had their last treatment six or seven years ago are still enjoying a high degree of hair reduction.

12. Should I expect to be "hair free" in the treated area after the series of treatments?
No, most patients experience a 70-90% reduction (varies by number of treatments) in the amount of hair in a given area, and a reduction in the thickness and color of the remaining hair, but should not expect to be "hair free". It has been suggested that a 6 month follow-up may be sufficient to assess final outcome after the final laser hair removal session, because once regrowth had stabilized (usually within 6 months), there is usually little or no change in hair counts at 6,12, and 24 months. Hormones can effect the hair follice both before or after treatments.

13. How much hair will grow back, and how fast will it grow back?
The laser/pulsed light work by destroying hair roots which are active at the time of treatment, and which have enough pigment to absorb sufficient laser energy. The hair shafts in the treated hair follicles will fall out or be "shed" for 1-3 weeks after treatment. After the first treatment, hair regrowth may resume within a few weeks or it may be anywhere from 2-4 months before any true hair growth is observed, as previously dormant hair follicles become active, and hair follicles which were stunned but not killed recover and start to produce hair shafts again. After four to six treatments there may be little or no regrowth often for years. In other cases, you may wish to have additional treatments after a period of time. Hair fibers that regrow after laser treatment generally are finer and lighter in color, and so are much less of a cosmetic problem. Reductions in coarseness and color can occur independently of each other.

14. Why are four treatment sessions or more usually needed?
All lasers work by disabling hairs that are in their active growth cycle at the time of treatment. Hair follicles in their "dormant" phase have no hair shaft in them and so will not be affected by the laser. Because hair follicles cycle through "active" and "dormant" phases, additional sessions are usually desired once the "dormant" follicles become "active", and also to deal with hair follicles which were stunned but not killed by previous treatment. The other group of hair follicles which could produce dark terminal hair in the future are the fine vellus “peach fuzz” follicles which have no pigment and so are not affected by laser treatment. Newer lasers and pulsed light systems use the longest, most deeply penetrating wavelength, and maximize the number of killed hair follicles and minimize the number that are stunned during each treatment session. At any one time, depending on the location on the body, about 15-18% of your hair roots are good targets for the laser beam and can be damaged or destroyed in any single laser session. We recommend a minimum of five treatment sessions.

The number of treatment sessions needed will depend on:
o the desired degree of hair reduction
o hair color (people with naturally lighter colored hair sometimes need more treatments) & (darker skin types usually require reduced energy to be used)
o hormonal status (constant high hormone levels restimulate hair follicles)
o area being treated
o hair density
o age and Genetics and medical syndromes (i.e., androgen producers)
o weight (obesity can increase hair growth)
o medication (for example medicines like Dilantin and cyclosporine can increase hair growth)

Additional "touchup" treatments on small troublesome areas can be arranged at relatively low cost. There is no safety limit on the number of treatments a person can have.

15. Previous laser treatment or electrolysis?
No problem! Laser/pulsed light treatments have been successfully used on many people who were not able to tolerate -- or did not obtain satisfactory results with -- electrolysis, or with older laser systems.

16. Am I a good candidate for laser hair removal?
The unique design of newer laser/pulsed light systems allows treatment of people with all skin colors and treatment of even light brown hair. Because hair which is naturally blonde, light red, or white does not have enough pigment in the roots, it cannot be reliably treated with any type of laser. Fewer treatments are needed when the hair is dark and the skin is light colored -- so to get maximum effect from each session avoid tanning prior to treatments. Children can be treated, for example if they have a congenital nevus or other problem with excessive hair, but the children must be old enough (for example, 14 years old) to understand and cooperate with treatment. We treat children age 14 and up if they are stable and able to cooperate and have parental consent.

Am I being “vain”? Many people at some time before laser hair removal have fears and doubts. A common concern is that they are being vain. My experience has been that just about all patients who have laser hair removal are no more vain than anyone else. What does distinguish them is a desire to get the most out of life. Looking after our appearance is not a fault. After all, would you leave your house with broken gutters or peeling paint? Why do less for your body? I think you should feel proud of yourself for having the courage to want to change something that you find unacceptable. I emphasize that you should only have laser hair removal if you are doing it for yourself. It is a big mistake to have laser hair removal if it is just for somebody else. Reasonable people, who have "realistic expectations" tend to be excellent candidates for laser hair removal. These individuals are normal healthy people, and the same degree of self-interest that prompts them to exercise, be selective in what they eat and drink, and protect themselves from sun damage leads them to explore the benefits of cosmetic procedures, like skin rejuvenation, hair removal, or treatment of veins and spider veins. Our patients simply want to look their best.

17. Which hair colors respond best to treatment? Because lasers target the PIGMENT in hair roots, lasers work best on black or brown hair. Naturally red hair may require 4-6 treatment sessions. Very light colored natural red or blonde hair may require 5 or 6 treatment sessions, and may respond only partially. White hair does not respond to treatment -- so get your hair lasered before you get old and your hair turns white!

18. Questions to ask yourself when considering laser hair reduction:
How much are you bothered by your facial hair or other areas? How much are you bothered by the time you spend removing, treating, or concealing your facial hair? How uncomfortable does your facial or other unwanted hair make you feel in exchanges of affection (such as intimate exchanges with your partner)? How uncomfortable does your unwanted hair make you feel when you meet new people? How uncomfortable does your unwanted hair make you feel when you go to social gatherings, dine out in a public restaurant, go to a supermarket or other public place? How uncomfortable does your unwanted hair make you feel when you go to work or school? Improvements in self-image, self-esteem, self-confidence, with overall improvements in psychological well-being, can make hair removal and other cosmetic procedures like skin rejuvenation, vein and vascular treatments, such as spider veins, laser pulsed light for age spots and pigmentation disorders, etc. This is some of the best money you ever spent for overall self-satisfaction and for one's physical and mental health and well-being.

19. What are Hirsutism and Hypertrichosis?
o Hirsutism is excessive growth of hair in androgen (testosterone)-dependent areas of a woman’s body where terminal hair is not normally found, including the face, neck, chest or medial thighs.
o Hypertrichosis is excessive growth of hair in non-androgen dependent parts of the body (i.e. Areas other than the face, neck, chest and medial thighs).

Some "familial" hair growth in certain ethnic groups can be very stubborn to treat and may require recurrent maintenance for years. This can be common in certain Middle Eastern or Asian ethnic groups.

20. What is Unwanted Female Facial Hair?
Growth of hair on the face which is coarser, longer or more profuse than is "normal" for the age and race of the woman. Unwanted facial hair is a chronic problem for about 22 million American women who remove facial hair at least once a week (or at the very least would like it removed).

21. How can I get the best value from each treatment?
To get the best results with the smallest number of treatment sessions, please pay attention to the following guidelines as you work with us: A. Avoid waxing, tweezing, plucking, and electrolysis. Because the laser/pulsed light beam seeks out and destroys ACTIVELY GROWING hair roots, it is important (if you want to get the best value from your treatment) NOT to wax / pluck / tweeze / use EpiLady-type pluckers or have electrolysis for TWO to THREE WEEKS before laser treatment. These things temporarily remove the pigmented part of the hair follicle which the laser/pulsed light needs to use as a target when it destroys the hair follicle. B. Tanning should be minimized within a few days prior to your treatment session! Our office uses lasers and pulsed light systems that are safe and most effective for ALL types of skin, even Blacks/African-Americans who cannot be safely treated with other hair removing lasers. Many Italian, Greek, and East Asian’s have been successfully treated with newer lasers and pulsed light systems. BUT: the lighter your skin color at the time of treatment, the better the laser beam can get through the skin to the hair roots, where it is needed. SO: many say, tanning is not as BIG a deal with the newer lasers, but if you avoid tanning and stop using artificial "tanning" creams before treatment, you will get the maximum possible benefit from each treatment session. We always recommend use of sunscreen for healthy skin and prevention of skin cancers and aging. C. Shaving or clipping the hair? A good idea! A must idea. Shaving or clipping the area to be treated is not a problem. In fact, we like the areas to be shaved 4-24 hours before treatment. Some people find that the skin is less sensitive if it is shaved at least 4-24 hours before treatment. Another advantage of shaving the area to be treated BEFORE the appointment is that YOU can shape the area to be treated exactly the way YOU want it to be. This is of particular importance in areas like the sideburns, temples, and bikini line/bikini area/pubic area. If our office has to shave the area for preparation it may well increase the charges, because time is critical to our charging and fee structure. The fee structure is based on patients preparing the area by shaving prior to treatments. Excess hair should be removed from the treatment area before treatment, because hair ABOVE the surface of the skin will simply absorb and waste laser energy and keep it from getting to the hair roots, where it is needed. Our office expects and it is always best if YOU shave and shape the area to be treated before you come in, that way the laser/pulsed light, can follow your exact pattern area! Contrary to popular belief, shaving DOES NOT make hair grow back thicker, faster, darker or more profusely! So go ahead and shave before treatment, and between treatments! D. Hair Dye and Bleaching? No problem! Because the laser beam only acts on the hair ROOTS, it is OK to dye and/or perm hair in the areas to be treated. Likewise, it is OK to bleach hair in the areas to be treated because bleaching will not affect the color of the roots. E. Timing: On the lip, chin, and face we do treatments at 4 week intervals. For underarms and bikini areas treatments are spaced out by 4-6 week intervals. Areas such as the back or legs average about 8-10 week intervals. There is no harm in having treatments MORE FREQUENTLY, -- if you are in a rush, but this could increase the total number of treatments needed with respect to cost. F. Medications? We are not aware of any mandatory medications which should not be taken while you are getting laser treatments. Anabolic steroids should certainly NOT be taken unless medically necessary, because these can increase male-pattern hair growth in some cases. Women who take injections of (testosterone & estradiol) as part of therapy for menopause and to increase libido often experience unwanted hair growth, which can be treated with laser hair removal. I still prefer the patient to hold tetracycline class medications for several days before treatments if possible, just because of light sensitivity issues. Please avoid the use of Accutane™ for at least six months prior to any laser treatment. Medicines which inhibit hair growth (for example, spironolactone, birth control pills, and Vaniqa cream) might slightly reduce the pigment in hair roots and make laser treatment less efficient, but this seldom interferes with the effectiveness of laser treatment. Laser hair removal can certainly be done WHILE you are on those medicines. These "anti-androgenic" medicines produce gradual but temporary effects, and will not remove unwanted hair from areas that are independent of androgen regulation. Pre-treatment with medicines like Zovirax, Valtrex or Famvir is NOT necessary, unless you tend to get a lot of cold sores in the area to be treated. Please notify us of any incidence of herpes infections.







22. What is a "test area", and why is it sometimes performed?
"Test areas" are small areas of skin that are treated at various laser energy levels prior to treatment of large surface areas on darker skin types. "Test areas" are done on darker skin types to determine the level of energy that is best for that individual. Light skin types generally don't have to have test areas done.

23. Moles, freckles and tattoos in the area to be treated?
Small moles and freckles do not require any special precautions. Tattoos might require a "test area" to make sure that they will not absorb an excessive amount of laser energy, which could cause fading of the tattoo, discomfort, or even a burn. We generally prefer not to treat tattoos, but this is seldom a problem because quite often there is not much hair growth in tattoos. Be sure to tell the doctor if you have permanent lip liner or permanent eyebrow liner, because these are tattoos and special precautions may be needed if there will be laser treatment in those areas.

24. What will happen on the treatment day?
HELLO LASER, GOOD-BYE RAZOR! Hair removal has never been so good! Other than your regular skin care routine, there is no standard "prep" for this procedure. Please do not wear makeup on the areas to be treated, because some kinds of makeup can absorb and waste laser energy, or even heat up to the point where your skin would be irritated. Makeup will need to be removed before treatment, and may be re-applied immediately after treatment if you wish. There are no restrictions on what you may eat or drink prior to your appointment. Please shave or clip the areas to be treated before you come in for treatment. Freshly shaved skin is more sensitive, and there is less discomfort if you wait at least 4-24 hours between shaving and having laser treatment. Shaving also allows you to shape the exact area you want treated -- this is sometimes very useful in the bikini area. Excess hair above the surface of the skin absorbs and wastes laser energy, and reduces the amount of energy that reaches the hair root, where it is really needed. Excess hair above the surface of the skin also increases the chance of burning or irritating the skin. Everyone in the treatment room must wear protective goggles when the laser is turned on. Eye wear is worn for the laser/pulsed light systems, and can cause eye injury if proper eyewear is not worn while the laser is used. The length of the procedure itself can range from a few minutes for the upper lip to an hour or more (for example, a man’s chest and back). The process is very simple... machine cooling methods are applied to the skin for a few moments before, during, or after the area is treated. Immediately before the laser is used a thin coat of clear gel may be used, depending on the laser/pulsed light system used, then the laser/light pulses are quickly and evenly applied by the laser operator. Please do not bring young children into the treatment room.

25. Does it hurt?
The laser/pulsed light emits only light. You may feel a tingling or snapping sensation like a rubber band. There is no bleeding and no open wound is created. Some people find the FIRST laser treatment more uncomfortable than subsequent treatments. Maybe this is because there are more hair roots which are destroyed during the first treatment; and perhaps also because some people are more apprehensive during the first treatment, because they are not sure of what to expect. It is best to just try and relax, the laser treatments are generally well tolerated. StarLux is an "extremely comfortable" system. Many patients find that they have less discomfort if they shave the area to be treated at least 4-24 hours BEFORE coming in for treatment, because freshly shaved skin is often somewhat more sensitive. Shaving before coming in for treatment also allows you to shape the area to be treated exactly the way YOU want it. This is of particular importance in areas like the forehead, sideburns and bikini/pubic hair areas. While some areas of the body like the upper lip and pubic hair area are more sensitive than others, many patients report little or no discomfort. People who have had waxing, plucking, tweezing, and/or electrolysis usually report that lasers/pulsed light caused less discomfort, and sometimes there is almost no discomfort. Cooling methods are often applied after treatment, and cool gel may be used during the procedure. Most people do best with cooling and Aloe lotions/moisturizers when applied post-treatment, and do not bother with anesthetic cream. Some people find it helpful to simply take two or three plain Tylenol a couple of hours before coming in for treatment. Some women who find that they are less sensitive after their menses prefer to schedule their treatment sessions to avoid the premenstrual and menstrual time.

26. What will happen after treatment?
Redness often has faded greatly by the time you get home. It would not be uncommon for the skin to be slightly drier that evening and to require more of your favorite moisturizer or an Aloe lotion or cream. The hair follicles may appear slightly more obvious or a bit pink for the next day or two, but this is seldom a cosmetic problem, and generally much less obvious than after waxing, plucking, or tweezing.

27. Why does the hair sometimes look like it's “growing” for 1-3 weeks after laser treatment?
Lasers destroy hair roots which are active at the time of treatment, but do not remove hair shafts instantly. Hair shafts in the treated hair follicles will fall out, or be "shed" mostly in the first week after treatment, with all of the effected treated hairs falling out within 2-3 weeks. It is normal that some hairs in the treated area may not fall out within 2-3 weeks. These will treated in the next session. These hairs which are being shed will come out on their own. It is best not to shave the treated area or to wash it with anything but a mild soap like Dove, Purpose, or Cetaphil and your bare hands (no Buf-Pufs, washcloths or Body Washes for 3-4 days) after laser treatment, because some people find that their skin is irritated by these things. Please be very gentle to your skin.

28. Are there any restrictions on my activity after treatment?
Since the laser does not burn or cut the skin in any way, no bandages are necessary. You can return to work the same day and resume all your regular activities. It is OK to resume shaving or clipping hair in the treated area after 3-4 days. You should NOT have waxing, plucking, tweezing, or electrolysis, because these things will temporarily remove pigmented hairs from the hair roots and reduce the effectiveness of your next laser treatment. Sometimes after plucking, waxing, or tweezing, the hair will become thicker and darker because this is one of the ways that the body defends itself from chronic irritation by producing thicker, darker hairs. Shaving really is the BEST temporary way to remove unwanted hair before laser treatment and between laser treatments. Shaving leaves the hair SHAFT in the hair follicle, so the hair shaft can be a target for laser/light energy, to heat it up and KILL the hair follicle. You can shave as often as you want. It has been shown in scientific studies that: Shaving does NOT make hair grow faster. Shaving does NOT make hair grow thicker. Shaving does NOT make hair grow darker. Shaving does NOT make hair grow more profusely. top of page

29. Pre-treatment instructions:
A) Please do not do any waxing, plucking or tweezing for at least 2-3 weeks before treatment, because hair follicles which do not have hair shafts in them to absorb laser energy will not be killed by the laser energy.
B) Please try to minimize tanning and sun exposure a few days before treatment: a fresh tan can interfere a bit with the effectiveness of the laser/light treatment, though this is less of a problem now with newer lasers than with older lasers. Our office is always looking for the best results for you, and we recommend avoiding fresh sun tanning or sun exposure for a few days after treatments.
C) Please do not wear makeup on the areas to be treated. If makeup absorbs laser energy, less energy will reach your hair follicles and hair shafts, and if the makeup heats up it could irritate or burn your skin. Makeup can be re-applied immediately after laser treatment, if you wish.
D) Please shave or clip the areas to be treated the day before treatment (24 hours before). This way, the skin will be less sensitive. Shaving before you come in also allows you to shape the exact area you want treated -- this is sometimes very useful in areas like the hairline and sideburns, and in the bikini area. Excess hair above the surface of the skin absorbs and wastes laser energy, and reduces the amount of energy that reaches the hair root, where it is really needed. Excess hair above the surface of the skin also increases the chance of burning or irritating the skin.
E) Some people find it helpful to simply take two or three plain Tylenol 2 hours before coming in for treatment. Some women who find that they are less sensitive after their menses prefer to schedule their treatment sessions to avoid the premenstrual and menstrual time. During the treatment, remember that: “We want to be doing this FOR you, not doing it TO you.” Serious discomfort, is nature’s way of telling us something is wrong as it applies to your skin, so please tell us and we will go slower, apply more cooling, or adjust the power of the laser/light energy for you. Finally, it is always best to relax and think about pleasant things, and try to avoid being apprehensive. Remember always, you are doing this to feel better about yourself. The StarLux system makes the treatment very comfortable.

30. Post-treatment instructions:
A) Redness often has faded greatly by the time you get home. It would not be uncommon for the skin to be slightly drier that evening and to require more of your favorite moisturizer cream or Aloe lotion or cream. The hair follicles may appear slightly more obvious or a bit pink for the next day or two, but this is seldom a cosmetic problem, and generally much less obvious than after waxing or tweezing methods.
B) Try to avoid tanning for at a few days after treatment, because occasionally the tan could be somewhat irregular (lighter and/or darker in the treated areas.) and sunscreens are an excellent idea for sun exposed areas.
C) Hair shafts will be released from hair follicles in the treated area for a week or two after treatment. You do not need to do anything, but you may gently exfoliate or shave the areas if you wish, wait 3-4 days to start shaving after treatments to avoid excess irritation.
D) Shaving, depilatory creams like Nair or Neet, or bleaching are OK between laser treatments. Plucking, waxing and tweezing should be avoided because these things could reduce the effectiveness of your next laser treatment. It is important for the untreated hairs to remain in the follicles for the subsequent treatments.

Please call our office at (913) 962-1869 for a complimentary hair removal consultation. Our office would like to care for you. Come in now for best prices on Kansas City Laser Hair Removal sessions.

*In article and the references above, we refer to laser and pulsed light systems as equivalent options.