Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal uses light-based energy to target pigment within the hair follicle. The energy damages the follicle's ability to produce hair, resulting in progressively slower, finer, and reduced hair growth over a series of treatments.

Because hair grows in different cycles, multiple treatments are necessary to target hairs while they are in an active growth phase.

Laser hair removal is best described as long-term hair reduction rather than a guarantee that every hair will be permanently eliminated.

Many clients experience a significant reduction in the amount, thickness, and rate of hair growth. Some hair may eventually return and occasional maintenance treatments may be needed.

Hormones, medications, age, medical conditions, and other factors can also influence future hair growth.

Most clients generally require 6 to 10 treatments, depending on a variety of factors.

Your treatment area, hair color and thickness, skin type, hormones, medical history, hair-growth cycle, and individual response can all affect the number of sessions needed.

Your practitioner will monitor your progress throughout your treatment series and recommend the appropriate plan for you.

Laser hair removal treatments are generally scheduled at 4- to 6-week intervals.

The ideal timing may vary depending on the treatment area, your individual hair-growth cycle, and how you are responding to treatment. Your practitioner will recommend the appropriate interval for you.

Laser hair removal works by targeting pigment in the hair, so darker, more pigmented hair typically responds best.

Very light blonde, white, gray, and some red hair may respond poorly or may not respond at all because there may not be enough pigment for the device to effectively target.

For hair that cannot be effectively treated with laser, electrolysis may be a better option.

Many skin tones can be treated, but the appropriate device, settings, and treatment approach depend on your individual skin type, hair characteristics, treatment area, and recent sun exposure.

Not every treatment or device is appropriate for every person. Your practitioner will evaluate your skin and hair before treatment and may modify or postpone treatment when necessary for your safety.

A consultation may be required before beginning treatment, particularly for new clients, certain skin types, medical considerations, or treatment areas.

During your consultation, we will review your medical history, medications, skin type, hair characteristics, previous hair-removal methods, sun exposure, and treatment goals.

A test spot may also be performed when appropriate.

Certain medications, medical conditions, supplements, topical products, recent procedures, or changes in your health can affect your skin's sensitivity or your suitability for treatment.

Please disclose all medications, supplements, medical conditions, recent procedures, and changes in your health before each treatment.

Even if you have previously received laser hair removal without a problem, changes in your health, medications, hormones, skincare, sun exposure, or other factors can affect how your skin responds at a future appointment.

We do not perform elective laser hair removal during pregnancy.

Please let us know if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or experience a significant change in your health before your appointment.

Yes. The treatment area should generally be cleanly shaved before your appointment, unless your practitioner has instructed you otherwise.

There should not be significant hair extending above the surface of the skin during treatment.

Please do not wax, tweeze, thread, epilate, or otherwise remove the hair from the root before or between your laser treatments. The follicle needs to be present for the treatment to effectively target it.

No. Avoid waxing, tweezing, threading, or using an epilator on the treatment area throughout your laser hair removal series.

You may shave or trim the hair between appointments.

Removing hair from the root can interfere with your treatment because the laser needs the hair follicle and pigment present to effectively target the area.

Recent sun exposure or tanning can significantly affect whether it is appropriate to perform your treatment.

Please avoid intentional tanning and notify your practitioner of any recent sun exposure, sunburn, tanning-bed use, or self-tanning products before your appointment.

Treatment may need to be postponed if your skin has recently been significantly exposed to the sun or is visibly tanned.

Never intentionally tan in preparation for laser hair removal.

Self-tanning products and spray tans should not be present on the treatment area when receiving laser hair removal.

Please discontinue self-tanning products before your appointment according to the instructions provided by your practitioner and make sure the product has completely faded from the treatment area.

If you are unsure, contact us before your appointment.

Certain active skincare ingredients may need to be temporarily discontinued before or after treatment.

This can include some exfoliating acids, retinoids, prescription skincare products, and other potentially irritating ingredients.

Because recommendations vary based on the product and treatment area, please tell your practitioner everything you are using on your skin and follow the pre-treatment instructions provided to you.

Most clients describe the sensation as a quick snap, warmth, or brief stinging sensation.

Comfort varies depending on the treatment area, hair density, skin sensitivity, device being used, and individual pain tolerance.

Temporary redness, warmth, mild swelling around the hair follicles, sensitivity, or a mild sunburn-like sensation can occur following treatment.

These effects are generally temporary, but everyone's skin responds differently.

Your practitioner will provide aftercare instructions based on your treatment.

Your practitioner will provide specific post-treatment instructions.

In general, you may be advised to avoid excessive heat, intentional sun exposure, tanning, aggressive exfoliation, irritating skincare products, and activities that significantly heat or irritate the treated area for a period of time after treatment.

Daily sun protection is especially important on exposed treatment areas.

Treated hair does not always disappear immediately.

Over the days and weeks following treatment, treated hairs may gradually loosen and shed. This can sometimes look like the hair is continuing to grow before it releases from the follicle.

Do not wax or tweeze these hairs. Gentle shaving is generally permitted once your skin has returned to normal.

Laser hair removal is a progressive process.

Some follicles may not have been in the appropriate growth phase during earlier treatments, and hormonal influences can cause new or previously inactive hairs to grow.

Hair may also become progressively finer and lighter as treatment continues, making later changes less dramatic than the initial reduction.

Your practitioner will evaluate your progress and adjust your treatment plan when appropriate.

Yes. Hormonal changes can have a significant effect on hair growth, particularly on areas such as the face, chin, neck, abdomen, and other hormonally influenced areas.

Conditions or life changes that affect hormone levels may result in continued or new hair growth even after successful treatment.

This does not necessarily mean the treatment did not work. Maintenance treatments may be recommended.

Laser hair removal is not a one-setting-fits-all treatment.

Your practitioner may adjust treatment parameters based on your skin's response, hair reduction, hair thickness, skin type, treatment area, recent sun exposure, and other clinical factors.

Settings that were appropriate at one visit may not necessarily be the most appropriate settings at a future visit

Yes. A previous successful treatment does not guarantee that your skin will respond exactly the same way at every future appointment.

Skin sensitivity can change because of sun exposure, medications, skincare products, hormonal changes, health changes, environmental factors, and other individual circumstances.

Please let your practitioner know about anything that has changed since your previous appointment, even if it seems unrelated.

Like all light- and energy-based treatments, laser hair removal has potential risks and side effects.

These may include temporary redness, swelling, irritation, pigment changes, blistering, burns, or other skin reactions. Although many reactions are temporary, some may require medical evaluation or treatment.

Following your pre- and post-treatment instructions and providing your practitioner with an accurate and updated medical history helps us determine whether treatment is appropriate for you.

If you experience an unexpected reaction, significant discomfort, blistering, unusual discoloration, worsening redness, or have any concerns following your treatment, contact Bellagena immediately.

Please provide photographs when possible and let us know when the symptoms began and whether they are changing.

If you believe you are experiencing a severe reaction, infection, medical emergency, or symptoms that require urgent evaluation, seek medical attention immediately. Do not delay necessary medical care while waiting to hear back from our office.

Your safety takes priority over completing a scheduled treatment.

If we determine that treatment is not appropriate because of sun exposure, medications, a change in your skin, a medical concern, irritation, illness, or another contraindication, we may modify, postpone, or decline treatment.

In some circumstances, we may require clearance from your physician or another medical provider before continuing treatment.

Possibly. After completing your initial treatment series, occasional maintenance sessions may be beneficial if new or residual hair appears. The frequency varies considerably from person to person and can be influenced by age, hormones, medical conditions, medications, and the treatment area.