At Sistine Facial Plastic Surgery, laser hair removal is done by our nurses, who have a combined 15+ years of experience in the cosmetic industry. Each laser hair treatment will be customized, depending on your skin type and how your skin reacts to each treatment. Dr. Leong also personally reviews all laser treatment plans and settings to ensure that you receive optimal results.

How does laser hair removal work?

In our Southside, Sewickley, Wexford and Greensburg offices, we use the Palomar Starlux 500 to reduce unwanted hair.

The Palomar Starlux 500 sends heat from Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) into the skin, which targets hair follicles and inhibits their regrowth, without damaging the skin. The intense pulsed light is attracted to dark hair follicles, so this treatment will not work if you have blonde, red, or gray colored hair.

Because hair grows in cycles, six laser hair reduction treatments are typically needed to ensure that all hair has been targeted. These treatments should be spaced out approximately 4-8 weeks apart. It is best to have this treatment in the fall or winter when sun exposure is limited.

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Areas Treated With Laser Hair Removal

One of the biggest questions patients have when undergoing laser hair removal in Pittsburgh is which regions of the face and body can be addressed. While laser hair removal is highly powerful, it is still gentle enough to be appropriate for delicate areas of the skin. Our caring and experienced practitioners will assess your target regions during your private consultation and determine if laser hair removal will be the most effective means of achieving smooth, flawless skin.

Laser hair removal can be used to treat the following areas:

Upper lip
Sideburns
Chin
Armpits
Back
Male chest
Legs
Bikini zone
Brazilian area (labia)
Buttocks
Toes
Belly

Am I a candidate for laser hair removal?

The ideal laser hair removal candidate is a man or woman with light skin and dark hair who wants to reduce hair and has realistic treatment expectations. The Palomar Starlux 500 R hand piece is not recommended for dark ethnic skin types due to risks of hyperpigmentation. Since the intense pulsed light seeks out pigment, it may inadvertently damage and lighten darker skin.

How Many Treatments will I Need?

Each patient is unique and will require a different number of sessions to fulfill their hair removal goals. In general, clients may need anywhere from 2-6 sessions to comprehensively clear the skin of unwanted hair.

After the first session, there is a 10-25% reduction in hair. With each subsequent treatment, more hair falls out and less returns. The hairs that do grow back are thinner and slower to appear. It is safe to undergo laser hair removal every 4-8 weeks.

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How should I prepare for Laser Hair Removal treatment?

Please stay out of the sun and out of tanning booths for a month leading up to and a month after your laser hair removal treatments (sun exposure could put you at risk for hyperpigmentation – darkening of the skin).
Use a quality sunscreen daily.
Avoid waxing or plucking the area prior to treatment.
Shave before treatment to avoid a shadowing effect caused by hair above the skin.
Postpone laser hair reduction treatments while you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

What is the procedure for laser hair removal?

Before your laser hair removal in Pittsburgh, a thin layer of numbing cream with lidocaine may be applied. This should be left on the skin for approximately 30 minutes – 1 hour. After the numbing cream is wiped off, a cool gel will be applied. The handpiece is gently passed over the treatment area until the entire surface area has been penetrated with intense pulsed light. Depending on the area, Laser Hair Removal treatments can last from just a few minutes (i.e. upper lip) to 90 minutes (i.e. full legs).

Is laser hair removal painful and is there any downtime?

Many patients describe the intense light pulses similar to the snap of a rubber band. We do offer numbing cream prior to the procedure to increase comfort and ease. However, some patients prefer to go through treatment without this local anesthetic. There is minimal downtime. You may be a little red or swollen a day or two after the procedure.

Why Choose Sistine Plastic Surgery?

BRINGING 15+ YEARS EXPERIENCE TO LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Importantly, we are not a franchise with offices all over the country. Many franchise type business models have famously aggressive sales techniques in which the final cost of the treatment is not always clear or aggressive “sales” do not include the full cost of treatment.

Sistine Facial Plastic Surgery takes the opposite philosophy. We are clear about the costs involved in laser hair removal, and are forthcoming about whether we feel the patient is a good candidate for hair reduction. We are totally focused on delivering top quality care right here in Pittsburgh. Dr. Leong believes it is important that a physician be involved in your care.

If at any time during your treatment you have any questions, he is available to consult with you. The following will give you some additional information on our laser hair removal in Pittsburgh. If you would like to schedule a consultation to talk about this procedure, please contact Sistine Facial Plastic Surgery.

FAQ

Is laser hair removal cancerous?

The idea that laser hair removal can cause cancer is a myth. Laser treatments are safe, and are even used to treat some type of pre-cancerous lesions.

Does laser hair removal cause wrinkles?

Laser hair removal does not cause wrinkles. Some types of laser treatments are used to reverse the signs of age and reduce wrinkles.

Can laser make hair growth worse?

A rare side effect of laser hair removal is called paradoxical hypertrichosis. In this case, thicker, darker hair is caused to grow in an adjacent area to where you were treated.

Do you get ingrown hairs after laser?

Laser hair removal does not cause ingrown hairs. Instead, it destroys the hair follicle, resulting in zero risk of ingrown hairs. After your laser hair treatment, you may see redness and bumps that look like ingrown hairs. These will fade.

Can I pluck my hairs in between laser treatments?

Do not pluck hairs between laser treatments. Plucking, waxing, or other hair removal treatments interfere with the root of the hair follicle, which must be intact during laser hair removal treatments.

Contact Sistine Facial Plastic Surgery

To learn more about some of the best laser hair removal Pittsburgh has to offer, or to schedule a consultation to talk more about this treatment, please contact Sistine Facial Plastic Surgery today.

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Laser Hair Removal Pittsburgh