FAQ

  • 1) Am I a Candidate for Laser Hair Removal ?
    • Laser works best on pale skin and dark hair. The closer you are to this combination (i.e. the lighter the skin and the more coarse and dark the hair), the better the results will generally be. At Therapie Clinic we offer a Free Confidential Consultation prior to engaging in a laser hair removal course. In our Consultation we evaluate the client’s skin and perform a “Patch Test” to see how the skin reacts towards the laser.
  • 2) How Does Laser Hair Removal Work ?
    • Lasers designed for permanent hair reduction emit wavelengths of light designed to be absorbed by the pigment in the hair (melanin). If the surrounding skin is relatively light compared to the colour of the hair, then the entire energy of the laser will be concentrated in the hair shaft, effectively destroying it without affecting the skin or follicle. Hair removal lasers target the dark pigment in the hair. That’s why laser hair removal works best on light skin (so laser passes right through) and dark coarse hair (has most pigment).
  • 3) What’s the difference between Medical Grade Lasers and IPL ?
    • Be aware that hair removal systems that use traditional light for treatment (Intense Pulse Light machines or IPLs) are not true hair removal lasers. These devices use a highly concentrated beam of traditional incoherent light, often in conjunction with a cream or gel, to burn the hair shaft. A serious flaw with these systems is that they lack the laser’s ability to produce a selective bandwidth of light that will only affect the hair shaft (selective photothermolysis). These devices produce a wide bandwidth of light that can heat up all of the surrounding tissue. With the lack of regulation in Ireland, anyone can buy a low powered machine and claim they are offering true laser hair removal. These machines do, at best, a poor job, and in the wrong hands can cause quite a lot of damage. It’s VITAL you find out what their equipment actually is, so ask! Make sure the Clinic only uses medical lasers that have the FDA stamp of approval, as this means they are proven to work.
  • 4) What should I expect before and during the treatment ?
    • Prior to the treatment, It is for your safety that the surface hairs are shaved 24 hours before treatment, leaving the hair follicles below. Protective eyewear is used during the procedure. Laser pulses are exerted on the skin’s surface covering the treatment area fully. Hair follicles are targeted at this time and would either grow back thinner or not grow at all, depending on the current growth stage.
  • 5) How natural or false tan can affect your treatment?
    • All laser hair removal candidates should be at their lightest skin tone on the day of each treatment. Having even the slightest tan on the area to be treated can put you at risk of an adverse reaction to your laser hair removal treatment. During a laser hair removal procedure, light energy is directed to the skin where the unwanted hair is located. The skin absorbs some of the laser energy before it reaches the hair follicles. How much energy is absorbed will be determined by the skin colour. Tanned skin will usually absorb excess amounts of light energy and can cause burning or discoloration after treatment. Please note, if you attend your appointment with a tan present on the area, your laser therapist will be unable to proceed with the treatment and will have to re schedule it until your tan has gone completely.
  • 6) How many treatments are required ?
    • Every treatment, like every patient, is unique. Your laser therapist will decide what is best for you based on your needs and expectations. As laser is a progressive treatment, multiple sessions are required. A minimun of 6 treatments is generally recommended depending on the area to be treated. While results vary from client to client, maintenance treatments may be required. Each treatment takes place every 4-10 weeks depending on the area and how many treatments you have. The human body is not an exact science; this is why the amount of treatments required and results can vary from one client to another.
  • 7) What should I do in between treatments ?
    • There is no need for any method of hair removal between treatments. That means NO waxing, threading or tweezing as this will disturb the normal hair growth pattern. Bleaching is also put out the question, as this will remove the pigment from the hair leaving nothing for the laser to be attracted to. Only shaving is recommended. Likewise, you should not be exposed to the sun or get a false tan.
  • 8 ) Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent ?
    • Some laser centres make it sound that you’ll never have to be reunited with your hair again, just by getting the right amount of visits with their machine. As to date, there is no laser equipment that has been approved by the FDA for permanent hair removal. However, the FDA has approved laser hair removal machines with permanent hair reduction because it can rid hair on the right candidates for long periods of time, with multiple treatments. Generally, this means that you shouldn’t expect laser to remove every single hair from an area. Many patients find that maintenance sessions done once or twice a year are ideal for keeping hair at bay after completing the initial treatment protocol.