At Miramar Dermatology/Skin and Cancer Associates, laser hair removal is initiated and supervised by board-certified dermatologists and then performed by experienced hair-removal specialists using the most advanced laser technology available on the market today. We use the LightSheer Diode Laser, which is the most effective hair-removal laser in the industry. This means treating larger areas in shorter time with the most effective results. We treat all skin types.

• EFFECTIVE - Powerful laser
• EFFICIENT - Large spot size
• COST EFFECTIVE - Pay less for each additional treatment
• PROFESSIONAL - Under supervision of dermatologist
• KNOWLEDGEABLE - Experienced laser physician assistant

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Why should I do laser hair removal rather than the methods I've been using for years?

A: Laser hair removal is safe and effective. Waxing, shaving and other epilation methods are temporary, ongoing and may cause side effects such as irritation, ingrown hairs and pain. Women with facial hair may feel particularly self conscious about the texture of the coarse hair that results from shaving and the need to grow it out prior to waxing. Laser hair removal offers an excellent, permanent solution by thinning out the texture and density of the hair.

Q: Is treatment painful?

A: Some sensitive areas, such as bikini and underarms, may be more sensitive than the larger areas such as the face, legs and arms. At Miramar Dermatology, we offer all our patients the choice of applying numbing cream, which significantly reduces the sensitivity to the laser pulses.

Q: Is laser hair removal permanent?

A. Laser hair removal is intended to reduce the density (hairs per square inch) and thickness (or coarseness) of the hair. Some hair follicles and hair will be permanently destroyed, and some will only have a thin (velous) hair remaining. It is important that during the hair-removal process, every treatment is effective and "kills" the follicle as fast as possible, because if the follicle is simply damaged during the first two or three treatments, the thin (velous) hair is very difficult to destroy by laser in the future. For this reason, it is important to be treated by an experienced medical specialist with powerful laser equipment.

Q: How does the LightSheer Diode Laser System work?

A: The system emits near-infrared laser light that is absorbed by the pigment located in the hair follicle. The laser is pulsed, or turned on, for only a fraction of a second. The duration of each pulse is just long enough to damage the follicle, while the system's unique, patented, contact-cooling handpiece, the ChillTip, helps protect the skin by conductive cooling during the laser-energy delivery.

Q: What advantages does the LightSheer have over other laser hair-removal systems?

A: The LightSheer Diode Laser System was designed from the ground up for laser hair removal, so it has the wavelength, fluence, pulse width, and active skin-cooling system that are ideally suited for laser hair removal. It was designed by Lumenis, the largest laser company in the world for cosmetic and medical applications, with more than 30 years of industry experience. The LightSheer is a proven technology that has been the front runner in laser hair removal for six years.

The LightSheer Diode Laser System's design provides for enhanced comfort during treatment, speed and accuracy, and minimal risk of infection. Since the system uses a unique cooling handpiece, it minimizes skin irritation that other methods may create.

Since it is non-invasive (no needles to penetrate the skin), the risk of introducing bacteria into the skin is minimal. Because the system is fast, it allows for larger areas to be treated, considerably increasing the efficiency of the hair removal process. Finally, the LightSheer Diode Laser is a precise instrument that can be adjusted to damage only the hair follicle while minimally affecting the surrounding skin.

Q: Does the LightSheer work on tanned or different skin colors?

A: The LightSheer Diode Laser System safely and effectively treats all skin types as well as tanned skin. For darker skin types and people with tans, appropriate fluences are generally lower, combined with longer pulse widths, to prevent damage to the epidermis. In experienced hands, the LightSheer can be used to treat people with all skin types effectively and with minimal risk for side effects.

Q: How much does laser hair removal cost?

A. Even though price per treatment may vary from one laser center to another, we believe that eventually you end up paying approximately the same price regardless of where the treatment is performed. Some facilities charge less per treatment and sell you a package of more treatments than you may need. At Miramar Dermatology/Skin and Cancer Associates, we will be glad to quote you a price for a series of treatments; however, each treatment is paid separately and you will only need to pay for as many treatments as you ultimately need.