Frequently Asked Questions

    Question: Is the Epilaser safe?

    Answer: Yes. The Epilaser was developed from years of research by the physicians at the Massachusetts General Hospital. The laser parameters were carefully defined by studying the anatomy of the hair follicle and precisely matching the laser light and pulse duration to the follicle size, depth, and location to inhibit the regrowth of the hair.

    Question: How long will a treatment take?

    Answer: Each pulse treats approximately a 3/8-inch area, which could contain more than 10 hairs. The amount of time needed depends on the size of the area to be treated. The lip area, for example, would take only a few minutes, while the legs will take notably longer. Large areas, such as the legs or back, can only have certain sections done at a time. The legs for instance can only have an area such as below the knee treated in one, one half to a full hour, treatment session. Due to the huge areas being treated in the back or legs, multiple treatment sessions are required to disable the hairs for an extended period in those areas, because each area also needs two or more treatments in order to be effective.(see below)

    Question: Does it hurt?

    Answer: The laser may feel like a tingling or slight stinging sensation, but most people tolerate the procedure well. Some areas of the body are more sensitive than others, so you may elect to have topical anesthesia in order to increase the comfort of the procedure.

    Question: What happens after the treatment?

    Answer: Within several minutes of the treatment, the treated area may become slightly red and puffy. This reaction usually subsides, and within a few hours the area returns to normal. There might be some sensitivity and redness to the area for a few days. In individuals with darker skin or a suntan, there might be some blistering and a superficial burn immediately after the treatment. This will heal in two to five days, similar to any superficial burn. With dark hair, the laser treatments can be successful in disabling the hairs in people with dark skin for extended periods of time ranging from 8-24 weeks. Since the laser does not cut the skin in any way, bandages are usually not necessary, and you can return to your normal activities immediately.

    Question: How many treatments will I require?

    Answer: The laser works by disabling hairs that are in their active growth cycle at the time of treatment. Since other hairs will enter their growth cycle at different times, additional treatments may be necessary to disable all of the follicles in a given area.In general, most areas require at least three treatments. Medical studies have shown that after two treatments six weeks apart to an area, such as the upper lip, the area will only have 80-90% of the hair present six months later. It is not known if the hair removal is "permanent." Usually with three or four treatments to an area, such as the upper lip or chin, the hair in that area has a significant change in its growth pattern. Many of the hairs do not grow back for up to two years, and the hair that returns is usually much thinner. Additional treatments help keep the hair away for long periods and permanently destroy some hair follicles. Dr. Taylor and his staff will work with you to develop the treatment program that best fulfills your hair removal needs.