Simply smooth skin forever

Unwanted hair can be a concern for several reasons. First of all, the amount of time it takes to shave your legs, wax your chest, or trim hairs beneath your chin is undoubtedly a frustrating ordeal. And second, the cumulative costs overtime — year after year, day after day — take a serious toll on your bank account. Traditional hair removal methods aren’t ideal, especially considering that you always have the same result: hair regrowth. The cycle begins again. Technologically-advanced laser hair removal ends the expense, effort, and annoyance of temporary hair removal.

Facial and body laser hair removal in the Bay Area are increasingly popular treatments for men and women who wish to look clean-shaven without having to bother with weekly or daily hair-removal procedures like shaving, waxing, and chemical depilatories. Laser hair removal may be performed on virtually any body area, ranging from the tiny (i.e. the upper lip) to the very large (i.e. the back). If you’re a resident of the Bay Area and want to permanently remove unwanted hairs, schedule a consultation today at The Appearance Care Center at The Maas Clinic by visiting our contact page.

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Laser Hair Removal at The Appearance Care Center at The Maas Clinic

The Appearance Care Center at The Maas Clinic uses the Lumenis Lightsheer laser — recognized as the gold standard for Bay Area laser hair removal. It works by delivering pulses of light, each of which lasts for just a fraction of a second. The associated heat damages the hair follicle and impairs its ability to regrow. Significantly less hair grows back with each treatment, ultimately resulting in the desired outcome of permanent hair reduction. Permanent laser hair removal in San Francisco is desirable from an aesthetic and convenience perspective.

It can also improve the health and appearance of the skin by reducing the incidence of skin disorders, like razor burn and folliculitis, which are directly linked to the presence of hair in the affected area.

What is LightSheer DUET Laser Hair Removal?

The Lightsheer DUET system is a quick and virtually pain-free way to remove unwanted hair from your legs, back, chest, arms, face, bikini and other areas of your body where unwanted hair is a problem — permanently. This revolutionary machine successfully and comfortably treats large areas of the body. It also includes the Lightsheer ET system, ideal for smaller or bony areas such as the chin, upper lip and regions around the knees and ankles.

The DUET system offers several innovative improvements over previous laser hair removal systems. Vacuum-assisted technology, combined with a dramatic increase in the laser spot size, enables greater penetration and improved energy absorption at the hair follicle. With this approach, the targeted tissue is gently stretched to minimize competing chromophores while pulling the hair closer to the skin’s surface.

These added improvements to the earlier technology mean treatment times are reduced by 75 percent in many cases. In addition, your back, legs and other areas can be treated comfortably without the use of anesthetics and gels. The number of treatments required depends on several factors, including hair and skin type. Laser hair removal treats hair in an active growth phase. Since all hairs are not in this phase at the same time, 5 or more treatments may be necessary for the best results.

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About LightSheer DUET

Understanding Hair Growth

The number of laser hair removal treatments required depends on several factors, including hair and skin type. Laser hair removal treats hair in an active growth phase. Since all hairs are not in this phase at the same time, five or more treatments may be necessary for the best results. Hair growth is cyclical, and there are three phases in the cycle. The first phase is anagen (the active or growth cycle); the second phase is catagen (the dormant phase); and the last phase is telogen (the fall-out or shedding phase).

Laser hair removal is most effective during the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. It is highly unlikely that every hair to be treated on a given day will be in the anagen phase, hence the need for multiple treatments. Hair growth cycles differ on different parts of the body. Your skin and hair color, the coarseness of hair and age, metabolism and other individual factors influence hair growth rate.

For optimal results, four to six treatments spaced at four to six week intervals is suggested. You can purchase treatments in a series of five or individually at our San Francisco or Tahoe laser hair removal clinics.

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About the Procedure

Because the Lightsheer DUET laser features two different handpieces that come in two different wavelengths, our provider will be able to customize the treatment based on your unique lifestyle, hair type and skin type. Before the procedure begins, the hair in your chosen treatment site is trimmed, and a topical anesthetic may be applied to help mitigate any discomfort. Once ready, our laser hair removal provider will press the appropriate laser device against your skin.

When activated, the laser beam passes the skin and targets the hair follicle, which is absorbed by the follicle’s melanin. Gradually, hair follicles in the anagen phase are destroyed.

If you’re having a larger area treated, our provider will activate the vacuum-assisted technology. This technology suctions the skin to elevate and stretch it, allowing larger portions to be treated because it brings the skin closer to the laser. How long your treatment lasts depends on the number of areas being treated and the size. Larger areas can take several hours to treat, while a small area can take several minutes.

Introduction to Laser Hair Removal

The Recovery Process

Redness and swelling may be apparent in the treated area after the procedure, but this is normal and a sign that the hair follicles have responded to treatment. It’s recommended that you avoid prolonged sun exposure for 24 hours after treatment because it can affect your results. Bacteria can grow if the treated area is exposed to any heat source before a day has passed, resulting in spots. Other things to avoid include exercising, a hot shower and steam rooms. You should apply ample sunblock for several days following laser treatment. You may notice that some hairs are gone immediately after treatment, but it will take some time for your body to continue shedding hairs and results to become more visible.

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When to Expect Results

After one to two weeks, more of your hair follicles will begin to fall off. Typically, by the third or fifth week, you will see substantial results. Laser hair removal provides the opportunity to have unwanted hair permanently removed. Multiple sessions will need to be scheduled to attain optimal results. As mentioned earlier, hair goes through various cycles, and hair follicles across the body are not in the same stage at the same time.

Typically, four to six treatments are recommended to ensure smooth, flawless skin. For some patients, it’s possible for light hair regrowth to return. If this occurs, it can be treated with a laser hair removal session scheduled one year after the initial treatment.

Laser hair removal is a proven and successful treatment that can leave your skin flawless and free of unwanted hairs. Significant resources are spent every year on traditional hair removal methods. Laser hair removal saves you time and money, and may make your skin free of hair permanently.

Corey S. Maas MD and the staff at The Maas Clinic look forward to answering any questions you may have about laser hair removal in San Francisco. To schedule an appointment, please contact us today.

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Laser Hair Removal FAQ

Am I a Good Candidate for Laser Hair Removal?

How Often Can I Use Laser Hair Removal?

Is Laser Hair Removal Suitable for Men?

When Is the Best Time to Have Laser Hair Removal?

Am I a Good Candidate for Laser Hair Removal?

Several factors can influence if laser hair removal is suitable for you. Namely, the contrast in colors between your skin tone and hair will determine if laser hair removal will be a safe and effective treatment. There needs to be a noticeable contrast between the hair follicles and the skin for laser hair removal to be successful because the treatment specifically targets the follicles’ melanin. If there is not enough contrast between the two, the treatment may be ineffective or there may be greater risk. This means that patients with a darker skin tone and dark hair or lighter skin tones with blond hair may not be suitable for this treatment.

During an initial consultation, our provider will determine if you’re an appropriate candidate. Other factors that’ll be considered to ensure your candidacy are your medical history and your expectations after treatment.

How Often Can I Use Laser Hair Removal?

Well, the answer to that question is based on the science or the physiology of hair growth. Hair may be in its resting phase at any given time, which means that there’s no hair in the shaft or near the follicle. In which case, that follicle wouldn’t be destroyed. Remember that hair itself is just a protein; it’s not a growing or living cell, the hair itself or the protein is produced by the follicle that’s at the base of the hair and as hair grows, that protein is being produced by the hair follicle. So when we’re targeting the hair, to make the hair go away permanently, we’ve got to make sure that there’s hair growth that is the laser’s target. When the laser hits that hair, the light energy is absorbed, it very rapidly heats the follicle from which the hair is derived, and it destroys the follicle, and thus, the hair is destroyed permanently, and there’s no new hair growth.

Is Laser Hair Removal Suitable for Men?

Absolutely! Like women, men have hair that they may dislike or spend too much time tending to, such as facial hair or chest hair. These areas grow quickly on men and can be frustrating to deal with. Laser hair removal is perfect for men seeking to put an end to shaving, waxing and trimming.

When Is the Best Time to Have Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is best performed before the summer months. Sun exposure and heat can negatively affect your results during the day following treatment. It’s best not to be tan when having the procedure performed because laser hair removal targets melanin in the hair follicles. When tan, your skin has darker melanin, which can potentially make it difficult for the laser to differentiate between your hair follicles and your skin. You should avoid natural sun and tanning beds before and after treatment for an extended period of time.

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