Hair Removal

for

Men and Women

Undesired or excessive body hair is a common concern of many men and women. Shaving, waxing, plucking and tweezing are not permanent hair reduction solutions and can leave the skin irritated, nicked, or scarred.  Razor bumps and ingrown hairs may also occur.  Electrolysis may also lead to scarring and is very time consuming. 

At the Dermatology & Laser Center of San Antonio™, our solution for hair removal is the FDA-approved Palomar StarLux IPL (intense pulsed light) system. 

Below, we have provided some answers to the questions we commonly hear from our patients.  For more information, schedule a consultation to determine if IPL hair removal is right for you.

What causes excess hair?

Excess hair growth is caused by heredity, hormonal factors, some medications and, rarely, by other causes.

How does the Starlux IPL treatment work?

Intense Pulsed Light hair removal works by emitting intense pulses of light that pass through the skin and into the hair follicle where they are absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle; then converted into heat destroying the hair follicle, disabling the cells responsible for growing new hair and leaving the surrounding skin unaffected.

What can I expect during treatment?

You will be given safety eyewear to protect your eyes during treatment; then your  your treatment provider will move the IPL hand piece over your skin.  The time needed depends on the skin area to be treated. For relatively small areas, (facial hair), it may only takes a few minutes, legs, backs and larger areas take longer. 

What can I expect after treatment?

Most people experience some mild redness and tenderness in the treated area shortly after treatment.  Treated areas may look red, slightly puffy, or and occasionally blister. Sometimes the treated sites heal with temporary increased or decreased pigmentation. Scarring is possible, but occurs only rarely.

Who performs the IPL treatments?

How many treatments are needed?

The number of treatments depends upon your skin color, hair color and coarseness of the hair. Optimal improvement usually takes 3 to 6 treatments, each spaced 1 to 3 months apart. Hair which regrows (usually more sparse) can then be treated every six months if necessary.

What areas can be treated?

The most commonly treated areas are the face and bikini-line. The neck, arms, back, underarms and other areas can be treated too.

Does the treatment hurt?

IPL treatments feel like a rubber band snapping against the skin. This is mildly to moderately uncomfortable, but the sting is brief and anesthesia is not usually required. If necessary, topical anesthetic creams can be applied prior to the procedure to reduce discomfort.

Who is the Best Candidate for IPL Hair Removal Treatments

This treatment works best on patients with dark hair on light skin.  Because the pigment in the hair is the target for the light energy, gray or white hair (which lacks pigment) cannot be effectively treated with any laser or light-based device. You should not undergo IPL hair removal treatments if you have used Accutane in the past 6 months, if you are taking photosensitive medications, or if you are pregnant.

When will I see results?

Many hairs are eliminated immediately; others will fall out a few days to weeks later.

What are the side effects?

Treated areas may look red or slightly puffy immediately following treatment.  Some patients have reported mild temporary swelling.  In rare instances, blistering may occur. Three to seven days after treatment, you may experience what seems to be a regrowth of hair; but these are actually hairs that are being shed as a result of your treatment.  Between treatments, you should not wax or pluck your hair but it is permissible to shave.

Are there any restrictions after treatment?

No downtime; normal activities may be resumed after treatment. Avoid sun exposure to treated area until the skin color has returned to normal.

How do I get started?

Contact our office at 210.614.3355 to schedule a consultation with one of our clinicians.  The cost of the consultation is $30.00; if you wish, treatment can normally be started at your initial visit.