Laser Hair Removal in Derry

Laser Hair Removal Room at Renew

The Cutera Excel HR- our laser hair removal choice for Safety, Reliability and Comfort

Excel HR combines the gold standard laser wavelengths for hair removal. It has the combination of high-power 755 nm Alexandrite & 1064 nm Nd:YAG wavelengths. The 755 nm Alexandrite laser is highly absorbed by melanin, making it an ideal solution for finer hair on skin types I-III. Because of the high melanin absorption characteristics, it has also been proven to provide long-term results on epidermal pigmented lesions. The 1064 nm Nd:YAG is the safest wavelength for permanent hair reduction on darker skin types and tanned skin. Excel HR utilizes sapphire contact cooling to provide continuous cooling, maximizing your comfort and treatment safety. In a patient preference study that measured comfort and satisfaction for laser hair removal, 100% of the patients preferred excel HR over a comparable, competitive laser hair removal procedure!

Shaving is costly!

The average amount of money a woman will spend in her life on shaving related products is $10,000. The average price you’ll spend to get your bikini area waxed is about $35. If you start waxing at age 21 and get one wax treatment every three months until you are 55, you will spend $4,900 just to wax your bikini line, and that doesn’t include tips.

Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?

Most areas treated do not require any topical numbing agents, as the Excel HR has a crystal cooled tip. We also have a Cryo 6 device (see photo below) if needed for added comfort. Immediately after the treatment there may be a slight sense of warmth and a faint redness of the treated area. These resolve very quickly and are not painful. Most clients who have experienced waxing or electrolysis hair removal have noted that Laser hair removal is actually LESS painful than these other hair removal procedures.

How long does it take?

If an area has not previously been treated, the number of treatments needed is usually 5. These are generally scheduled from 6 to 12 weeks apart. You can shave as often as you need to between treatments but you must not pluck or wax the region being treated.

Typical schedules are as follows:

Face: 6 to 8 weeks in between sessions
Body and Bikini: 8 to 10 weeks in between treatments
Back and Legs: 10 to 12 weeks in between treatments

Which is better – Laser or IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Hair Reduction?

IPL’s are not lasers. The machines produce a broad spectrum of wavelengths (like a light bulb) and cannot be focused to a concentrated beam. Because a range of different wavelengths are dispersed at a variety of depths only some of these will be effective for hair reduction. A more shallow penetration in comparison to laser means that deeper, thicker hairs may not be treated effectively. In addition, some of the light can be absorbed into the surrounding tissue as well, leading to heating of the pigment in the skin. This is why there is more of a risk of burns for a darker skin type when IPL is used.

Laser machines create more heat directed at the hair follicle than IPL systems, hence achieving better results. Because the heat is absorbed by the follicle, and not the skin, there is a decreased risk of burning when using Laser machines. This also makes Laser a safer option for darker skinned individuals. At Renew we upgraded to the Excel HR Laser to deliver faster, safer and more dramatic results with less discomfort!

Pre-Treatment Instructions

Refrain from waxing/tweezing/plucking, sugaring, electrolysis for at least 2 to 4 weeks before treatment because hair follicles that do not have hair shafts attached to absorb the energy will not be effectively treated. You may shave the area as often as needed.
Shave or closely clip the area to be treated 4-24 hrs before treatment. This allows you to shape the exact area you want treated and eliminates excess hair on the surface which would absorb and effectively waste some of the energy delivered (reducing the amount that reaches the hair root where it is really needed).
Do not use self tanning products or have spray tans done during your treatment series
Avoid sun exposure for 2 weeks prior and post treatment.
If you have a history of herpes (cold sores) in the area to be treated, notify us so that you can be pre-treated to avoid an outbreak

Post Treatment Expectations

A mild sunburn-like sensation is expected and usually lasts less than 1 hour (rarely up to 72 hrs).
Mild swelling usually resolves quickly as well. A non steroidal such as ibuprofen or naproxen (Motrin, Aleve) or Tylenol can be used but is rarely needed. Feel free to apply cold gel packs as well.
Bathe or shower as usual. Avoid aggressive scrubbing including loofah sponges. Appearance of hair growth/stubble may continue post-treatment, usually for no more than 2-3 weeks. This is not necessarily new hair growth. Treated hairs require time to be shed from the skin. At the 2 to 3 week point you should notice less regrowth in the region that was treated.
Follow up treatments are usually at 6 to 12 week intervals (see above).
Age, ethnicity, weight, hormones, diet, prescription medication, and metabolism all affect how your hair grows and responds to laser hair removal.
Use sun block and avoid shaving, swimming, or hot tub/Jacuzzi use while the area is irritated. Shaving or depilatory creams (ex:Nair) are OK between sessions. Remember not to tweeze/pluck/wax/sugar, etc.