To learn more about laser hair removal, schedule a consultation at our Petaluma and Hercules centers, serving Oakland, Berkeley, and surrounding communities.
Dermatology Associates of the Bay Area
165 Lynch Creek Way
Petaluma, California 94954
Phone: (707) 762-5531
Fax: (707) 762-5976
500 Alfred Nobel Drive, Suite 245
Hercules, California 94547
Phone: (510) 741-7418
Fax: (510) 741-7456
At Dermatology Associates of the Bay Area, laser hair removal is a popular choice for men and women alike. Patients from Berkeley, Oakland, and other Bay Area communities often travel to our centers because they have learned about our expertise in eliminating unwanted hair. Below, we have provided some answers to the questions we commonly hear from our patients so that you can determine if laser hair removal is right for you. If you have other questions regarding laser hair removal, contact our Petaluma and Hercules centers, serving Berkeley, Oakland, and other Bay Area communities, to speak with a knowledgeable staff member or to schedule a consultation with our dermatologists.
During laser hair removal at our Petaluma and Hercules centers, highly concentrated laser light is directed into the hair roots and is absorbed by the melanin pigment in the follicles. This heat destroys the hair follicles’ ability to grow hair, while leaving the surrounding skin unaffected.
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It is difficult to predict how many laser treatments you will need to achieve optimal hair removal. Hairs that are in an active growth phase, called anagen, are most affected by the laser. Because all hairs are not in this growth phase at the same time, four additional treatment sessions are usually recommended.
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Laser hair removal may not be effective for everyone. To be a candidate, the hair to be removed must be darker than the surrounding skin. In addition, individuals with dark skin may not be ideal candidates because their skin typically absorbs too much laser energy for it to be effective in removing unwanted hair. In order to achieve the best results, patients with tanned skin and dark hair should wait until their tan fades before undergoing laser hair removal.
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Almost any area of the body or face can be treated, except the areas just around the eyes. The most common areas to be treated with laser hair removal at our centers in Petaluma and Hercules are the upper lip, chin, face, bikini-line and underarms.
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Most patients find laser hair removal to be very tolerable. However, some patients, especially those with very sensitive skin, may feel slight discomfort from the laser. A topical anesthetic can be used prior to treatment to make the procedure more comfortable.
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Laser hair removal is performed with the Lumenis LightSheer® diode laser. The LightSheer® laser has a special contact-cooling handpiece that protects the upper layers of skin while allowing the laser light to penetrate to the hair follicles. This laser system also allows us to treat a great number of hair follicles simultaneously, shortening treatment time.
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It is important not to have a tan or sunburn when undergoing laser hair removal. If you do have a tan, you should wait until it has faded significantly. You should not pluck or bleach the targeted hair for several weeks before laser hair removal. Ideally, shave the area right before coming in for your treatment session.
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You should protect the treated area from the sun for several weeks after laser hair removal. Moisturizer and/or makeup can be used immediately after treatment.
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If you are ready to learn more about laser hair removal, contact our centers in Petaluma and Hercules, serving Oakland , Berkeley, and surrounding areas. Our dermatologists can help determine if you are a good candidate for laser hair removal, and answer any questions you have about the procedure.
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