Laser Hair Removal FAQ

Have you heard the news? We got a new laser here at Mountain West Medical in Meridian, Idaho. Our laser, the Lumenis Splendor X, is specifically designed for quick and easy laser hair removal. We know you have a lot of questions about our laser, laser hair removal, and how we will be offering this service to you in our clinic so we thought we would make a quick Laser Hair Removal FAQ to answer all of your questions.

Why should I get Laser Hair Removal from Mountain West Medical in Meridian, Idaho?

Mountain West Medical staff has been trained by the nation's leading experts in laser hair removal. We have been in business for several years and are experienced in providing top notch patient care. Our providers are not only trained in laser hair removal, but they are also certified healthcare workers such as Nurse Practitioner, Medical Assistant, or Esthetician. On top of having such excellence in patient care we offer packages at prices you won’t find anywhere in the Treasure Valley. Visit mountainwestmedical.com/schedule^[1] to book your next laser hair removal appointment.

What does a typical Laser Hair Removal session look like?

During treatment with our laser (Lumines Splendor X), a light-based system emits bright flashes of light into the skin where the unwanted hair resides. The hair follicles absorb the light energy, heat up, and become damaged. Each pulse of light energy takes a matter of seconds and treats a large surface all at once, making this procedure very quick and easy to perform. Treatments can last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the area being treated.

Because hair grows in different stages, multiple treatments are needed to target the hair follicles during their growth phase. Most patients need at least 6-8 treatments to see permanent, long-lasting results. Touch-ups may be required over time. Patients should see results after the first treatment – their hairs will grow back finer and weaker and the skin will become smoother. Results will become more noticeable and impressive with each additional treatment until all follicles are destroyed, successfully stopping continuous hair growth.

Does Laser Hair Removal hurt?

Laser hair removal is designed to target hair follicles with tiny high-heat laser beams. While you may not feel the heat, you may feel like your skin is being snapped with a rubber band. You may also experience mild discomfort after the procedure, such as redness and irritation; similar to a mild sunburn. How painful depends on the part of the body that is undergoing laser hair removal. The more sensitive the skin is in that area, the more uncomfortable it can be. Remember, our laser, the Lumenis Splendor X covers a larger surface area. This means less time and less pain!

How long do you have to wait between Laser Hair Removal appointments?

Timing your laser hair removal appointments appropriately is very important to achieve ideal results. For body hair removal the growth cycle is approximately 4 weeks. For facial hair removal the growth cycle is approximately 2 weeks. Complete hair removal is usually achieved with 6-8 sessions. Your first couple of sessions will need to be spaced out every 4 weeks or so for optimal results. As the hair growth diminishes, we will stretch out your appointments to every few months depending on your skin and hair type. As you can see, it’s important to purchase a package for your laser hair removal so that you can achieve best results! We offer several package options from a small area of laser hair removal like the lips or armpits to a full body package for laser hair removal. Visit us on Instagram @mountainwestmedical or give us a call (208) 229-8739 to find out more about our current laser hair removal specials.

Do you need to shave before Laser Hair Removal?

Unlike waxing, you will want to shave the area you are getting laser hair removal on either the night before or morning of your treatment. The reason for this is we don’t want the exposed hair itself to absorb the laser’s energy. We want the laser to target the hair follicle. If you forget to shave before your appointment, our laser technician will shave you so that you can achieve best results.

How many sessions are needed for complete Laser Hair Removal? 

The number of sessions needed for laser hair removal varies by the skin type and hair type of the patient but usually ranges between 6-8 treatments. These treatments need to be spaced out by around 4 weeks meaning that your final results should take around 6-10 months. From there most patients need a “touch up” treatment around 1 time per year. At Mountain West Medical we offer laser hair removal packages to help you achieve those results at an affordable price.

What kind of laser does Mountain West Medical use for Laser Hair Removal?

Here at Mountain West Medical we use the Lumenis Splendor X laser. Dr. John at Mountain West Medical spent months researching the best laser for hair removal to bring into his practice and landed on this laser. Some of the benefits of this laser include: A square laser footprint vs. a round laser footprint which gives better results as you can cover every part of the surface fully with no gaps left for hair to grow back, a double cooling system to help the laser penetrate the hair follicle with improved efficiency, and speed. (We could do an entire man’s back in about 6 minutes!) Make sure and schedule your laser hair removal treatment with Mountain West Medical today to experience the difference!

Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

For the most part, laser hair removal is permanent. There are times when hair can grow back, however due to hormones, lifestyle, etc. The vast majority achieve great, life-long results, however.

Who can get Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal works best on people with light skin and dark hair. The laser targets pigment whether that’s in the skin or in the hair. Darker skin tones attract the laser to the skin and not the hair. Light colored hair also makes it difficult to target with a laser. If you aren’t sure if you are a good candidate for laser hair removal, schedule a free consultation at mountainwestmedical.com/schedule and our laser technicians will be happy to evaluate your skin and hair type for you.

We hope that this quick FAQ will help you determine if laser hair removal at Mountain West Medical in Meridian, Idaho is an option for you. If you have any other questions we would love to answer those for you. Please visit our website mountainwestmedical.com or give us a call (208) 229-8739. We look forward to helping you say, “Goodbye” to your razor forever!

^[1] "Book Online with John K McRae, DNP now.." https://www.mountainwestmedical.com/schedule?ao=Profiles&utm_source=profiles&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=featured_msg. Accessed 21 Jul. 2020.