Laser Hair Removal in Allentown, PA

Men and women who want to remove hair from their face and/or body permanently may consider laser hair removal by Dr. Edward Guarino, a plastic surgeon in Allentown, PA. Using the Milesman Diode laser, the hair follicle is safely heated while the surrounding skin and tissue is protected by the cooling system until the hair follicle has been destroyed. The Milesman is specifically designed to work safely and efficiently on all skin tones and types. Patients will typically need to come in for at least 6 treatment sessions at least 1 -3 months apart to ensure that all hair follicles in the area have been treated during the anagen (growing) phase for permanent removal. Laser hair removal can be performed on many areas, including the face, the legs, the underarms, the bikini area, and more. After laser hair removal, patients have smooth skin and lots of extra time that used to be dedicated to shaving, waxing, and other temporary hair removal methods.

During laser hair removal, the surgeon will place the Milesman Diode laser directly on top of the skin where the hair resides to draw the skin into the hand held piece of equipment. An ultra sound is applied and the laser glides over the skin so it can target the melanin in the hair. During this process, the follicles absorb the heat the laser beam emits, which damages the follicle and makes it difficult for the hair to grow back. Most patients are able to achieve results in a 10-60 minute session that occurs once every 4-12 weeks over the course of several months.

Throughout the procedure, patients will not feel much pressure as the device is gliding over the skin. However, the laser beam itself only feels like a light sting. Most devices are made with a cooling sequence that occurs between the laser pulses, which helps ease discomfort and reduce the chance of unwanted side effects. There are multiple laser hair removal devices on the market today that come in different sizes depending on the size of the area being treated. The laser technology Dr. Guarino uses is the Milesman Diode Laser, which is designed to be both effective and as comfortable for the patient as possible.

The cost for laser hair removal will depend on various factors. This includes the size of the area being treated, the laser that is used, the number of sessions, who is performing the procedure, and the type of hair that is being removed. For areas such as the bikini and underarms, the approximate cost is about $79 per session. These areas often take fewer sessions to produce good results. Larger areas, such as the back and legs, will require more time and will cost more. On average, these larger areas are about $250-$350 per treatment. 

Anyone with unwanted hair is a candidate for laser hair removal. However, individuals with darker hair and lighter skin often experience better results. The number of sessions that will be required to produce the desired results will depend on the thickness of hair, how much hair exists in an area, color of the hair, and what the ultimate goal is. Individuals with lighter colored hair may require more treatments.

Hair growth occurs in cycles. Some hairs may be in the middle of their growth phase during the treatment session, while others may be dormant. Spreading out the treatment allows the dormant hairs to grow and gives the area time so that all of the hairs are eventually targeted during treatment. Between treatments, the hairs that do grow can be shaved because the follicle is not affected.  

Laser hair removal results in zero downtime. The skin will be pink and a tingling sensation may reside on the treated area for a couple of hours after treatment. Patients can leave their appointment and go directly back to work.

Laser hair removal is considered a solid solution for hair removal, however it is referred to as semi-permanent. There can still be some hair growth that occurs where the laser technology did not hit. Therefore, even though the majority of the hair will be gone, some hairs can still pop up. Patients find that these are tremendously easier to manage than before the original treatments. Additional laser hair removal treatments can also be scheduled to take care of these as well.