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Serving: Ardmore, Mainline, and Center City Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, Haverford, Villanova, Gladwyne, Narberth, Wynnewood, Bala Cynwyd, Paoli, Devon, Delaware Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Penn Valley, Radnor, Wayne, Lower Merion
A complete guide for the consumer containing important information on laser hair removal. Sponsored by Shanti Medspa of The Philadelphia Institute for Advanced Skincare and Optimal Health. Honored as the "Reader Choice-Best Medspa on the Mainline for 2007, 2008 by the Mainline Times.
You are visiting the website of The Philadelphia Institute for Advanced Skincare, the state-of-the-art premier laser hair removal center. When experience, safety, and results matter most, why not go to the experts who have the experience of thousands of treatments and who specialize exclusively in laser based advanced skincare?
When you visit our office, your care is our top priority. Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with the personalized, gentle care that you deserve when having laser hair removal.
We genuinely hope this site is helpful to you in learning more about laser hair removal, treatments, recommendations, and what makes our practice unique in the removal of unwanted hair.
Please browse through our website and be sure to give us a call if you have any questions or would like to schedule a free laser hair removal consultation that is both personal and private.
How effective is laser hair removal?
Our lasers have been specifically chosen because they offer the fastest results, with the least amount of discomfort. All of our systems are FDA approved.
Why do I need multiple sessions?
Laser hair removal requires multiple sessions in order to achieve desired clearance. This is based primarily on biological factors – the cycle of hair growth. At Laser Cosmetica, we recommend a protocol of six sessions in order to achieve clearance in the treated area.
What is a Three Year Guarantee?
Laser Cosmetica guarantees its results with an industry leading, complimentary three year guarantee. If you follow our recommended protocol, and experience any regrowth you can come back to any of our clinics for three years free of charge.
Does the treatment hurt?
People are often amazed at how little our laser hair removal systems hurt compared to their previous experiences with lasers. At times clients will experience a sensation often described as a "hot pinch" or "snapping" feeling. The sensation only lasts for a fraction of a second, and you may feel warmth or a tingling sensation for a short time afterward. Our lasers use a chill tip that helps to cool the dermis and neutralize any discomfort. For your convenience, we offer numbing creams and post laser topicals to reduce any possible irritation.
Is treatment with laser safe?
Laser hair removal is very safe for the skin. There are many advances in laser hair removal technology for all skin colors. There are no long term health hazards from laser energies used in our systems. They are FDA approved.
What kind of results can I expect from each laser hair removal treatment?
Each laser hair removal treatment will result in a hair growth reduction. Additionally, hair will grow progressively slower, lighter, and finer with each treatment. It takes more than one treatment to affect all the follicles growing in an area. Most people achieve satisfactory clearance after six treatments, but individual results may vary depending on medical and genetic factors. Lighter colored hair may require more treatments than darker colored hair. At the end of your protocol, the desired outcome is 80% to 100% clearance in the treated area.
How frequently do I need treatments?
Laser hair removal treatments are usually performed every two months. Our experienced Clinic Directors will design a protocol to fit your individual needs before beginning any treatment program.
What happens after each Laser Hair Removal treatment?
Temporary pinkness of the skin lasts a very short time, and most people return to work or normal activities immediately after treatment. The treated area will "shed" some hair over the next 3-4 weeks, and you may experience a period of hairlessness in the area while you wait for your next treatment.
Part of our commitment to serving our patients involves providing information that helps them to make more informed decisions about laser hair removal. This website is a resource we hope you’ll find both useful and interesting. Read More About Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is not for everyone. The absolute requirement is that one's hair must be darker than the surrounding skin. Additionally very darkly pigmented people absorb too much laser energy in their skin and are not candidates for most lasers. These dark skinned patients require the use of highly specialized lasers which are only available at selected laser hair removal centers. Tanned patients with light hair are not candidates. Tanned patients with dark hair cannot be treated with the usual hair removal lasers, also requiring treatment with a specialized laser, such as the kind invented at the. Lastly the treatment cost should be within reach of the patient. Laser hair removal, although much less expensive than electrolysis, requires multiple treatments, and generally costs over $1000 in total for most anatomic areas.
2. What will it cost for laser hair removal for me?
Treatment cost varies with the size of the area treated. Experienced laser centers, which have developed expertise in laser hair removal, generally average about $500 per treatment session, with an average of four treatment sessions initially recommended. Large areas, such as the entire back, or the entire legs, cost considerably more than this. Small areas, such as the upper lip, can be less. Individual consultation with the laser center is necessary to obtain exact pricing.
3. Influence of skin color on laser hair removal.
Light skin makes laser hair removal easier to perform. Fewer treatments are required, and better, faster results are obtained. People with darker skin can be treated, but results are slower, more sessions are required, and greater expertise is required on the part of the laser center. Laser hair removal must be individualized for each patient.
4. Influence of hair color on laser hair removal.
Dark hair absorbs more laser energy and is easier to treat. Coarse dark hair responds the best to laser treatment. Light hair is more difficult to treat. Blonde or red hair is very difficult to treat. Multiple treatment sessions are required, and results are variable. Blonde or red hair usually contains pheomelanin, which absorbs laser energy less avidly than the eumelanin pigment which is present in black or brown hair.
Although one laser session can produce long-term hair removal, as a rule multiple treatment sessions are necessary to obtain optimal results. In large part this is due to the fact that laser hair removal is most effective for hair which is in the anagen phase. Anagen is the growth phase of hair. Since hair grows in cycles, not all of the hairs are in anagen at any given time. Additional sessions are necessary to catch all of the hairs when they are in anagen.
6. What areas can be treated?
Any area, except adjacent to the eye, where there is excess hair. The most common areas requested are the face, upper lip, neck, chest, periareolar, underarms, back, abdomen, bikini line, and legs.
7. About permanent hair reduction by laser.
Waxing, shaving, and plucking all produce hair removal which is temporary. Several of the newer lasers have clearly documented that there is permanent hair reduction after each treatment. The FDA has approved several lasers for permanent hair reduction, and more results with additional lasers are pending. The results tend to be additive, i.e. more treatments lead to greater degrees of permanent hair reduction. For any given patient results cannot be precisely predicted. Results can be variable, even with the best lasers.
8. Pulsed light and laser hair removal.
Intense pulsed light devices can produce effective hair removal. Although these devices are not lasers, they are "laser equivalents", utilizing the same principle of selective photothermolysis to achieve hair removal. These devices are in practice more difficult to adjust than lasers and require great expertise for their proper use.
9. Myths 1: Guarantees in laser hair removal.
It is impossible to predict the exact result a patient will achieve with laser hair removal, especially with regard to how many sessions a given individual will require. Many of the hair removal clinics which guaranteed results have gone out of business. Like most reputable medical practices, the most established laser hair removal practices do not guarantee results.
10. Myths 2: Discount laser hair removal clinics.
Patients know their reputations and rely upon their experience and expertise. The same is true for laser hair removal. Consumers are advised, as with all forms of medical care, to seek the center of highest quality, rather than lowest cost. Laser hair removal requires exacting science, individual attention, experience, and a trained, caring, professional staff.
11. Myths 3: Laser hair removal limitation of effectiveness.
Contrary to the statements of those unfamiliar with this new technology, laser hair removal is effective when properly performed for the great majority of candidates. Non-responders are usually limited to those with blonde or red hair.
12. Qualifications of laser hair removal personnel.
Requirements vary by state. In Pennsylvania laser hair removal can only be performed by a licensed M.D., R.N, or Nurse Practitioner or certified and trained laser specialist. Be sure to ask about the qualifications of your center 13. Importance of experience in selecting a laser hair removal facility.
Experience is crucial in selecting the proper laser parameters to use for any given area for any individual patient. Centers with the most experience generally have the best results.
14. Tanning and laser hair removal.
Tanning and laser hair removal are not compatible. Tanning prior to the procedure will necessitate turning the laser power down, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the treatment.
15. Adverse treatment reactions.
Pigmentary change of the skin treated can occur, including either dark or light areas. Pigmentary changes may persist for months, but are almost always temporary. They are very rare in patients with fair skin who are untanned. Blisters and burns are rare but occasionally occur, particularly in patients with dark skin.
16. Diet and laser hair removal.
Diet is generally unrelated, except for Beta-Carotene, which interferes with the treatment.
17. Beta-Carotene and laser hair removal.
Beta Carotene, found in carrots, vitamin A supplements, squash, and other vegetables, is deposited in the skin, producing a subtle orange or yellow color in the skin. This pigment absorbs laser energy, preventing it from reaching the hair follicle, and increasing the absorption of laser energy in the skin. Beta carotene persists for months after ingestion. Patients interested in the best results from laser hair removal will benefit from discontinuation of the use of all forms of beta carotene.
18. Laser hair removal and children.
Laser hair removal is successful for children but it does require their cooperation.
19. Laser hair removal for African-Americans.
The darker one's skin, the more difficult it is to obtain adequate results from laser hair removal. The darker one's skin the more sessions one requires and the greater the chance of an adverse result. New lasers (2004) available at specialized laser hair removal centers can now provide effective laser hair removal for most patients, now matter what their skin type.
20. Laser hair removal for other people of color.
The best results are obtained when the hair to be treated is considerably darker than the surrounding skin. Also coarse hair is easier to remove. Fine, light hair in people of color is difficult to remove.
21. Who should not have laser hair removal.
Patients with a recently acquired dark tan. Blondes or redheads with any recent tan. People of color with fine, light hair. Anyone who cannot afford multiple sessions(one treatment is rarely adequate).
22. How to assess a laser hair removal facility.
Research the qualifications of the Medical Director of the facility. Is he or she Board Certified? Is the responsible medical director performing the procedure or are they nearby to supervise? Are all personnel performing the procedure licensed physicians or supervised by a licensed physician?? Is the atmosphere professional? Remember this is a medical procedure, and should be selected with the same care you give to selecting a surgeon.
Contact ShantiMedspa at The Institute for Advanced Skincare to schedule an acne consultation at one of our convenient locations in Center City or at our Ardmore location on the Mainline (convenient to King of Prussia) by phone 610.642.2644 or by email info@shantimedspa.com
Part of our commitment to serving our patients involves providing information that helps them to make more informed decisions about laser hair removal. This website is a resource we hope you’ll find both useful and interesting. Read More About Laser Hair Removal
A complete guide for the consumer containing important information on laser hair removal. Sponsored by Shanti Medspa of The Philadelphia Institute for Advanced Skincare and Optimal Health. Honored as the "Reader Choice-Best Medspa on the Mainline for 2007, 2008 by the Mainline Times.
