Laser Hair Reduction

Is treatment with the Lightsheer laser permanent?

Great Question! Usually, what people are really asking is "Does laser hair reduction really work?"

Although LightSheer has FDA clearance to claim permanent hair reduction, it will take YEARS of clinical research before ANYONE can truly make the claim of permanent hair removal. Remember, we are dealing with the human body and our bodies are constantly changing. Do not be mislead by vendor claims of 'written guarantees' regarding laser hair removal. No one has a magic wand on the human body!

Of the various machines that can claim permanent hair reduction, LightSheer has outstanding clinical data to support the claim of permanent hair reduction. I can tell you, personally, that I have treated my own underarms and bikini area. Does it work? You betcha! The results are AWESOME ! Will we make sure that you are a happy patient and totally satisfied with each and every treatment? Yes!

Okay, I'm confused; please explain the difference between permanent hair removal and permanent hair reduction.

Permanent hair reduction is defined as "long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing after a treatment regime." Even though we're in the 21st century, permanent hair removal doesn't really exist. Sorry!

So what in the world does that mean? Well, we were all born with 500 to 1,000 hair follicles per square inch. That number can easily sit on a postage stamp! Most women finally understand that they are NOT tweezing the same, stubborn hair day after day. Actually, Only 20% of the hair follicles that we were born with are actively cycling. We can only destroy hair follicles that are in the active growing phase. That is why multiple treatments spaced over certain time intervals are necessary for you to achieve good results. Remember, at any given time, a certain percentage of your hair will be in a "resting" phase. Hair removal will not be effective on hairs that are not actively growing.

After any given treatment the hair follicles that we destroyed are never coming back. What we can't promise, however, is that after multiple treatments, you'll never see another hair sprout. Why? Because the OTHER 80% of hair follicles we were born with are inert or chemically inactive. These hair follicles may, however, be activated in our lifetime due to certain factors. These factors may include stress, certain medications, disease process and hormonal fluctuation.

Unless we can put you under a chemist's scrutiny and have a psychic reading, we can't predict what your body will do in the future. Instead of shaving everyday, or spending 2 hours a day tweezing you may need periodic touch ups to maintain your results or your level of perfection. Do not be fooled by phony sales tactics offering un-realistic 'guarantees.'

We, at Bella Tu make touch-up treatments very affordable to protect your initial investment. How often will you need touch-ups? Everyone is different and all of us have our own set of expectations. You may, for example, see us as often as you see your dentist. Patient's who have hormonal imbalances or Polycystic Ovarian syndrome will see us more frequently. LightSheer treatments work and nothing can compare to it's long term clinical data. You will love the results and feel like your financial investment was well worth it as long as you are an educated, well-informed consumer.

There are a lot of different machines and vendors out there. What's the difference?

Today, the term "laser" is a good buzzword. It's like saying Xerox when you mean a copier machine or Kleenex when you mean a tissue.

LightSheer is today's gold standard of permanent hair reduction. Despite what you may hear or see in the press there is no machine, unfortunately, that effectively eliminates white hair. Sorry! If it sounds too good to be true, take a step back and assess further. Also be cautious of high pressure sales tactics, in-experienced staff and low ball pricing. How long has the organization been in business? Buyer beware.

LightSheer was specifically designed for laser hair reduction. Many salon or mall based vendors use pulsed light technology for their hair removal. What does this mean to you? It means you may not get a good, clinical response or you may require double the amount of treatments. Remember the saying 'You get what you pay for?' Be a wise consumer and get the facts.

We, at Bella Tu also strongly feel that the person BEHIND the machine doing the actual treatments makes a critical difference in the success of your treatment. Where laser clinics "come and go" Bella Tu has been in business for over 2 years and continues to thrive. Jean Trost R.N.,B.S.N. has over 7 years of laser hair removal expertise and experience matters! We, at Bella Tu, base our success on our commitment to outstanding patient care and happy patients!

How does LightSheer Diode Laser actually remove hair?

Lightsheer Diode Laser uses pulsed light to remove hair and impair hair re-growth. First, a cool gel and hand held treatment unit are gently applied to the skin. Then, in a flash, pulses of light safely penetrate the skin and disable hundreds of hair follicles simultaneously.

When the gel is removed, much of the hair is wiped off with it. The remaining hair in the treated area falls out within a week or two.

LightSheer Diode Laser has a chill tip hand piece that protects the skin by actively cooling the skin, before, during and after the laser light is transmitted. The light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and this energy is converted to heat which results in damage to the hair follicle. This damage causes delayed re-growth of the hair, and in most cases, permanent hair reduction.

LightSheer Diode laser is specifically designed to treat unwanted hair. Many mall based or spa based organizations use pulsed light based machines for hair removal. Although everyone wants a good deal, if the price a vendor quotes you seems to good to be true; it usually is. A 'good deal' no longer matters if the results aren't there. Technology matters, experience matters, ethics matter.

What do the treatments feel like?

You may feel a mild sting similar to a hot rubber band being snapped against the skin. Our patients say it is far gentler than the discomfort associated with waxing or electrolysis. For sensitive areas we do have a topical numbing agent available for purchase. Laser mouth guards are wonderful for upper lip treatments and are available for purchase. For large areas or sensitive patients, a mild sedative may be prescribed for your comfort. Many of Jean's patients who are treating large body areas are much more comfortable with medication to help them relax. Remember, it is critical that you have a friend or family member take you to and from your appointment if prescription medications were prescribed for you. At no time will you be allowed to leave our facility under the influence of prescription medication.

How many treatments are needed and how long does a treatment take?

Treatment schedules and clinical results vary with the individual. Depending on the color of your hair and skin, the location on the body and your own unique cycle of hair growth, you can expect excellent results after five or six treatments.

Treatments on the face are spaced 6-8 weeks apart. Treatment areas below the neckline are spaced roughly 8-12 weeks apart. Treatments are timed to coincide with the hair growth cycle for each body site when hairs are visible on the skin surface. Remember, at any given time, a certain percentage of your hair will be in a "resting" phase. Hair removal will not be effective on hairs that are not actively growing. That is why MULTIPLE treatments are needed over certain time intervals to achieve your desired goal.

Patients who have been tweezing their hairs may need more treatments to achieve their individual goal. Remember, any hair that has been tweezed has not been destroyed. A past tweezed hair will re-surface in 8-10 weeks so we have to play catch up!

An average treatment time on the face can be 20-30 minutes. Bikini lines 30-45 minutes; large areas, such as backs, chest, upper and lower legs are roughly 2 hours. Feel free to bring in your favorite music CD.
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This is so embarrassing, but are there areas you won't treat?

Rest assured, all body areas are treated at Bella Tu'.men and women. No problem. No worries. You are in a confidential and professional setting where it is our job to make you feel welcome and comfortable at all times.

Are there any side effects? What can I expect to see after treatment?

You may experience slight reddening of the skin or temporary swelling of the hair follicle. It can take up to 2 weeks for the treated hairs to exfoliate. Everyone responds a bit differently to treatment. Generally speaking, you will walk out looking FINE and make-up can be applied right after treatment. Side effects that may happen are usually temporary and generally occur if a patient has had recent sun exposure.

Some patients do experience temporary redness. Your skin may feel like you have a minor sunburn, so please time your appointments accordingly. Women usually feel more discomfort at the time of their menstrual cycle, so once again, time appointments around mother nature and major social events.

Why is refraining from recent sun exposure or tanning so important?

First of all, the computer can't tell that it's trying to destroy hair. Believe it or not, it's not THAT smart. The computer is actually trying to targeting pigment. So, obviously, the more definition we have between skin tone and hair pigment the better. Any time that your skin tone is slightly darker than your hair, the computer will only sense the pigment in your skin tone and ignore the hair follicle.

Second, by utilizing intense pulsed light therapy and laser light we are giving you a big dose of sunlight. If you've all ready had a big dose of sunlight your body can respond by producing unwanted side effects which may include a slight blister (like an oven burn) or by producing temporary pigment changes. Although the side effects are temporary they can be annoying and we prefer you leave our facility without side effects.

Golden Rule: No significant sun exposure 2 weeks prior to treatment. Base tans will also make your treatments more uncomfortable and you also increase your chance of unwanted side effects!

I'm only familiar with electrolysis. How does LightSheer compare?

Honestly, there is nothing wrong with electrolysis. Electrolysis, however, is what our moms and grandmothers had as their only option. Electrolysis is a tedious, invasive, and painful process that involves inserting a needle into each hair follicle and delivering an electrical charge to destroy them one at a time. Electrolysis often requires years of treatments at regular intervals to achieve what LightSheer can accomplish in just a few treatments. Electrolysis is still a viable option for folks with white, gray or red hair.

LightSheer non-invasively treats hundreds of hair follicles simultaneously. So, in a few minutes, LightSheer can effectively treat an area that would take over an hour with electrolysis.

I am presently undergoing transgender treatments. I'm worried about privacy issues and discrimination. Will you accept me as a patient?

Please know that no matter who you are, everyone is treated with the utmost respect. We will always honor your trust and all visits are completely confidential. We welcome you to Bella Tu.
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How does the Lightsheer process compare with other hair removal methods?

Shaving, waxing, depilatory creams and tweezing are all temporary methods that must be repeated on a regular basis. Hair removal with the LightSheer system process offers much longer-lasting results and freedom!

I'm very embarrassed about my facial hair. Do I have to grow out the hair for you to treat it effectively? I grew up thinking that shaving made my condition worse.

Relax! We understand your concern. Only a "5 o' clock shadow" or tiny stubble is needed for an effective treatment. Unlike waxing or electrolysis, we just need the hair to break the surface in order to treat. And, relax about the shaving myth and read further.

Can I keep tweezing, waxing or bleaching my hair until my appointment?

Sorry...but no. First of all, stop tweezing. When you tweeze it's like pulling up a weed without destroying the plant root. In 8-10 weeks, the same hair will be back. If you keep tweezing, we will keep losing that hair in-between scheduled appointments. Also, waxing, electrolysis or use of depilatories (Nair, for example) should be performed at least 3 weeks prior to treatment. Hair must be present as short stubble and with its natural color in order to be treated effectively.

" And, "no", shaving the treated area in-between appointments will not make your unwanted hair worse. That myth has crossed every culture and every generation. Understandably, no one wanted to undermine Grandma's authority. Shaving or clipping hairs between appointments is only a temporary measure that will allow us to effectively treat you without you having to walk around with "whiskers."

How much do treatments cost?

Fees vary depending upon body site and treatment time involved. We will be happy to provide you with an estimate when you arrive for your complimentary, no obligation consultation. Bella Tu is very competitive and welcomes your questions.

What other factors are important when considering permanent hair reduction?

We, at Bella Tu are not only concerned about patient safety but we also care about having you as a long-term client and make patient satisfaction our primary goal. Our business success is based upon happy patients who, in turn, refer their friends and family members to our services.

Bella Tu is locally owned and operated by Dorene Harrison and Jean Trost. Where corporate based laser shops 'come and go' Bella Tu is here to stay! Our goal is to provide excellent, professional care and unsurpassed customer service in our industry. Never will you be offered a 'sales pitch' at Bella Tu. We only offer sound, educational assistance so you can make an informed decision about your care.

All treatments are performed or directed by Jean who has had over 7 years of laser hair removal experience. We strive for perfection at Bella Tu and we want to be known for our high standards and excellent care.

We offer complimentary consultations at Bella Tu so we can offer education to the public. It's important that you understand the difference between technologies; permanent reduction versus permanent hair removal and that you were fully informed prior to treatment. Do you feel comfortable with the facility you have chosen or do you feel like a credit card number?

We hope this helps clarify some questions you have regarding seeking hair removal treatment. We are only a phone call away if we can be of any further help. Our phone number here at Bella Tu is 425-398-9001.

What is Permanent Hair Reduction?

' Hair growth has three phases
- Anagen (active)
- Catagen (regression)
- Telogen (resting)

' The length of the whole growth cycle depends on the body part, and lasts anywhere from 4 to 12 months. Hair reduction is considered permanent when a significant amount of hair does not return for a period of time longer than the complete growth cycle.

What happens after a treatment?

After your treatment you may be slightly red and puffy around the hair follicles. This reaction will subside within a couple of hours to a day. Around 3 to 7 days following your treatment you may experience what seems to be a sudden re-growth of hair. Actually, the majority of these hairs are shedding as a result of your treatment and not re-growing. In between treatments it is absolutely fine to shave, but avoid waxing do not tweeze. Waxing and plucking pulls the hair completely from the follicle leaving no pigment for the laser to target.

Factors which must be considered for Laser Hair Removal (Back to the Top)
' Lasers designed to remove hair are all based on targeting pigment. The hair must be pigmented to be able to be treated with a laser. Blonde, white or gray hair cannot be treated. There is no laser technology today that can do this. The darker the hair the more easily it is treated. Light brown hairs will require more treatments than dark brown or black hair.
' The thickness of the hair matters. Thin soft hairs of the upper lip area will be more difficult to treat compared to the hairs in the chin or bikini area. The thicker darker hairs have more pigment available for the laser light to strike, and so they will require less treatments.
' The skin color matters. The darker the skin, whether tanned or naturally pigmented, the more difficult to treat the hair without targeting the pigment in the skin. Special lasers can effectively differentiate between the skin and the hair, and even then highly trained personnel must adjust the laser settings accordingly. Ultimately the darker the skin the more treatments are required to safely remove the hair.
' Lasers can only treat hair in the actively growing stage. Each area of our body cycles differently. For example the hair on our face has 60% of the hair in the actively growing phase at any given time. If the face was treated, 60% of hair would be treated and 40% of the hair would not. A man's back has only 20% of hairs in the active phase at any given time. Every body part is a little different.

As a result, the number of treatments needed is based on all of the involved factors.

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