Laser hair removal
Do you have facial or body hair you’d like to erase, permanently? Verso Surgery Centre is home to an impressive variety of both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatment options.
How long has Laser Hair Removal been available?
Often abbreviated to, ‘LHR,’ this non-invasive therapy is requested by men and women in growing numbers today. It was in the late 1990s that the term, ‘laser hair removal’ became a household name and the technology has steadily improved from what used to be a moderately effective procedure limited to only fair people with dark hair.
Did you know that aside from Botox, LHR is the leading non-surgical cosmetic treatment requested in North America?
What are the causes of excess hair growth?
Do you feel you have a problem with body or facial hair where it isn’t wanted? If so- you’re not alone. Excessive hair growth can be classified as hypertrichosis or hirsutism. Men and women will tend to grow hair due to their genetic makeup and hypertrichosis may be hereditary, or the result of medications, hormonal changes, tumours, metabolic problems or very restrictive dieting.
Hirsutism refers to excess hair growing on women in typically male patterns, and It’s far rarer. It can present in the beard area or lower abdomen, for instance. If you have sudden health changes or note excess hair growth without understanding the cause, it’s important to discuss your concern with your primary care physician to ensure your overall health and determine the related factors.
We’re pleased to provide effective, safe hair removal for all patients, no matter their skin tone or hair colour. In the past, this popular treatment was not a viable option for so many patients due to the deeper melanin pigment in their skin. Laser hair removal in Toronto is now accessible for virtually anyone because of exciting innovations in medical science. Our state-of-the-art surgical centre offers some of the aesthetic industry’s most advanced laser equipment, including the Nd:Yag – a gold standard for laser hair removal. Find out how it works and why our patients give it great reviews. learn more.
Laser hair removal in Toronto
Are you tired of tedious, painful and ineffective hair removal options?
The hair removal product market is always booming, selling people a million ways to remove their hair. If you’ve tried any of these, you likely know how uncomfortable, expensive and disappointing they can be. Most are temporary, which makes the frustration hardly seem worth it. You can attempt to remove your unwanted hair at home with shaving, electronic tweezers, waxing, plucking, threading, and strong chemical creams. Today, people who are serious about removing the fuzz for good, look to permanent, safe solutions with laser hair removal in Toronto.
What types of lasers work best for hair removal?
Laser technology is the most advanced option, but also the most cost-effective. That’s because you can treat a large area- like the legs or back- quickly and comfortably for lasting effects. Lasers essentially send light or heat energy through the skin to destroy specific tissue and cells. In the case of LHR, hair cell pigment, (melanin) deep in the follicle, is the target.
Diode and Nd:Yag lasers are considered the best for treating darker skin tones without causing any surface damage. We prefer the Nd:Yag for darker Asian or African individuals because it minimizes the risks of blistering and pigment changes which were once a leading concern. This technology is so precise that it bypasses pigment in the skin and lands directly in the hair follicles where it’s intended to be. Performed by skilled and experienced skin care professionals, laser hair removal today is safer than ever and can eliminate unwanted hair without damaging healthy, surrounding skin cells.
What will my consultation be like?
When you visit our cosmetic clinic in Toronto for laser hair removal, we schedule your private consultation to discuss your goals and help your aesthetician develop a personalized plan. Your practitioner will be evaluating a few specific things that determine the best approach for you.
For instance:
- Skin type
- The colour of your hair
- The location and density of hair to be removed
- Whether your skin is tanned
- Whether you’ve tried previous hair removal
We’ll also ask about specifics of your medical history like ovarian or thyroid disorders, medications you take, a history of scarring, cold sore (herpes simplex) outbreaks, etc. We want to make sure that above all, your safety and comfort are a top priority. After your evaluation, we’ll verify the appropriate laser and adjust settings for your needs. Your practitioner will let you know how many sessions you may need to see optimal results and maintain them.
The day of your treatment, you’ll be greeted and asked to fill out a patient Intake and consent form once all the details of your treatment have been explained.
Your practitioner will answer all your questions and ensure you’re comfortable with the next steps; then you’ll change into a cosmetic gown and lie on a cozy blanket in your private treatment room.
What should you do before your laser hair removal?
Before laser hair removal in our Toronto surgery centre, all clients are advised to refrain from tanning or applying sunless tanners. That means scheduling your treatment in the summer or after a vacation could require some extra care and consideration. You’ll need to avoid plucking, waxing and electrolysis in the weeks leading up to treatment as well, or outcomes will not be as effective as you want.
On the day of your appointment, please avoid applying cosmetics or lotion in the treatment area. We’ll provide a topical numbing cream for your comfort, and a specialized cooling device on the laser itself ensures you feel only minor snapping sensations. Most people describe this as quite tolerable. You and your aesthetician will wear protective eyeglasses.
What will my laser hair removal treatment be like?
Though the Nd:Yag laser technology is extremely powerful, you can expect three or more treatments to achieve permanent hair reduction. Dark hair (black and brown) responds very well to treatment, but lighter strands may take longer to reduce.
Often described as small rubber bands snapping, or tiny pinpricks, it’s not difficult to tune the sensation out while listening to music or relaxing. Your practitioner will pass the handpiece over your skin in a pattern to target each follicle and simultaneously cool the skin.
Vaporization of hair roots occurs on a micro level. Within a few minutes, you may note small red or swollen bumps surrounding individual follicles. These resolve within a few hours or may last a few days for more sensitive skin types. Those with dark skin pigment could note temporary skin lightening or darkening in response to the energy treatment but pigment changes that last are extremely rare.
The day of your treatment, you’ll be greeted and asked to fill out a patient Intake and consent form once all the details of your treatment have been explained.
Your practitioner will answer all your questions and ensure you’re comfortable with the next steps; then you’ll change into a cosmetic gown and lie on a cozy blanket in your private treatment room.
Is laser hair removal a safe procedure?
When you choose to undergo any cosmetic treatment with an established facility, you can also verify that the staff are trained medical professionals with the expertise and skill to provide you with the highest level of care. At Verso Surgery Centre, we hold ourselves to incredibly high standards and medical safety protocols. From our level 3 OHP surgical centre fully accredited and outfitted with the latest equipment, to our uniquely experienced and trained staff, we excel at what we do. Having a surgical or non-surgical treatment is only as safe as the provider and protocols that keep you protected.
We believe that patient education about realistic expectations and risks are essential to excellent care. When you meet with us to discuss your procedure, we’ll outline everything you need to know and what to expect after your service.
Nd:Yag is considered to be safe for all skin types which is one of the reasons we like it so much. IPL for hair removal can be far more painful and less effective, while causing more side effects. The focused heat used to destroy hairs is exceptionally safe, but rare side effects can involve unintended skin burns. Your practitioner will speak with you about how we work to prevent this.
Side effects of laser hair removal
Hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation are possible, though uncommon with the advanced Nd:Yag technology. Those with higher amounts of melanin in their skin may be more at risk.
Temporary redness, itching and prickling sensation at the treatment site is not uncommon and is temporary. Very sensitive skin, or complexions prone to bruising may develop mild bruising after treatment.
Application of ice and over the counter pain medication is typically useful to soothe the area if desired. Your practitioner will elaborate on all the considerations for you and your procedure.
How many treatments will I need?
Your Toronto laser hair removal process will not be instant. Though the Nd:Yag requires fewer treatments than previous, less effective technologies, due to the hair’s natural growth cycle, you can only expect to target 70-80% of the strands at each appointment. You will typically see a reduction of 20% hair growth in each area after each session, and we’ll advise you schedule repeat treatments every 4-8 weeks until desired results are achieved. On average, you can expect to schedule 6 or more treatments for the majority of hairs to be diminished and skin that’s bare and hair-free. Once you’ve established a smooth skin result, ongoing maintenance is rarely needed and will be fast and easy by comparison.
If you’re ready to go bare for good, ditch the razors and enjoy a hair-free beach body, we can help. At Verso Surgery Centre, we’re available to answer any questions you may have and would love to help you get on track to feeling confident about your appearance.
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