FAQ's

Laser hair removal has a reputation for being painful, but this is because of the relatively crude tools laser technicians had to use in the past. Here at KT Laser Clinique, we are certified to use the LightSheer Desire hair removal system, which is the best product on the market. The LightSheer’s ChillTip technology greatly improves comfort. Most people experience minor discomfort, often compared to a rubber band snapping against the skin. Of course, everyone experiences pain and discomfort differently. A good option for more sensitive patients is EMLA topical anesthetic cream. It should be applied 30-60 minutes before treatment, and can be used safely externally anywhere on the body.

There are a number of benefits from performing an initial consultation. First, depending on the area of your body being worked on, we will tell you how to prepare for the procedure. Secondly, we will fully explain the process so you know what to expect and can assess whether the treatment is right for you. Third, we will perform a patch test to determine the optimal settings and so you can have firsthand experience with the process before your first full session.

At KT Laser Clinique, we use the LightSheer Desire laser system. This system emits a burst of intense laser light for a fraction of a second. The light is absorbed by the hair follicle, heating the follicle and disabling it from producing more hair. While the hair is being treated, the ChillTip on the handpiece protects the skin by keeping it cool.

Depending on the area of your body being worked on and the type and quantity of your hair, average sessions take from about 30 minutes to an hour. The number of sessions will vary for each individual and for different parts of the body. To achieve permanent hair reduction, it generally takes six to seven sessions with four to six weeks between sessions to allow the treated area to regenerate again. Often, a touch up is necessary about a year later.

In the first few days, there may be some swelling and redness. Your skin should return to normal within three days of the treatment.

Some hair may appear unaffected, but will slowly fall out over the two to three weeks after the treatment. After the area is no longer sensitive (at least a week after treatment), you should wipe these hairs away with a damp cloth or loofah.

You may see some crusting in some areas. This does not indicate an infection or that the area will be scarred. Do not pick at the crusts and do your best to avoid touching them until they totally heal.

People often ask if IPL and laser hair removal are the same because both use light to remove hair. The answer is no, they are not the same. The difference is that IPL is an Intense Pulse Light that uses a full spectrum of light with different scattered wave lengths, while a laser uses one specific wavelength of light. This is significant because the wavelength of the light determines what colours of skin and hair will be affected by the light. This means that IPL hair removal is much more likely to burn or damage the skin around the hair and it is much less effective on lighter coloured hair.

Lasers were developed to provide permanent hair removal solutions, whereas IPL was originally developed to treat a variety of skin conditions and hair loss came as a side effect. Laser hair removal has been proven to be much more effective and less painful than IPL hair removal. Laser targets strictly the hair follicle as oppose to IPL which affects the pigment surrounding the hair follicle.