Everyone's hair grows differently, depending on their age, weight, metabolism, hormonal interactions, genetics, medications and environmental influences. However, regardless of how these factors affect individual hair growth, hair itself evolves or grows through three distinct phases as outlined below :

1. The ACTIVE or ANAGEN growth phase, comprises approximately 85 % of our body hair at any given moment in time and can last up to several years. During this anagen phase, the hair shaft and follicle has an abundance of melanin or pigment and as such, is most sensitive to the laser light.

2. The REGRESSIVE or CATAGEN phase is the period during which the hair stops actively growing but is not shed. This phase often lasts several weeks comprising about 3 - 4% of our total body hair at any given time.

3. The RESTING or TELOGEN phase lasts 5 - 6 weeks, at the end of which the hair falls out and a new hair begins to form. Approximately 10-13% of our body hair is in this phase at any one time.

HOW LASERS WORK All Lasers emit a specific wavelength of energy or light (both visible and invisible) which in turn is directed towards a so called chromophobe or target cell. In the case of hair removal technology, these laser produce a wavelength of 750-800 nm which is absorbed by the pigment or melanin of the hair shaft and follicle . The absorption of this energy effectively destroys the hair follicles without damaging the surrounding skin. Since all hair lasers are absorbed by dark pigment, they remain relatively ineffective in removing light colored hair. In these cases, electrolysis would be a viable option for gray, or blonde hairs.

Since ALC uses the latest state of the art laser, the Candela GentleLase, patient comfort is greatly increased, without the use of messy creams or gels, which usually have to be applied to the skin prior to the laser treatment, with other laser systems. With our machine, DCD (dynamic cooling device) is used, where a small burst of coolant spray is dispersed milliseconds before and after the laser light pulse, providing the patient's skin with cooling, to minimize the discomfort of the treatment, and allows the operator clearly to see the skin during every laser pulse.

The GentleLase Hair Removal Laser has the largest spot size on out of all the laser's on the market today, and it is 5 times faster than the Light Sheer Diode Laser.

	Protection and efficiency: DCD reduces pain and maximizes patient protection by delivering a short, targeted burst of coolant spray onto the top layers of the skin milliseconds before the laser pulse. This evaporative coolant speeds up treatment, without affecting the underlying targeted hair follicles and blood vessels or impeding your visibility.
	Greater patient freedom: DCD reduces the need for cooling gels and expensive anesthesia for most patients. Best of all, it helps decrease patients' treatment times, and allows for quick recovery.
	Ease of use: DCD's unique design provides excellent visibility throughout the entire procedure.

Not only does the density and thickness of the hair affect the results of effective laser hair removal, but the darkness of hair pigment and skin type or skin color (pigment) are also critical factors in treatment planning. Since laser hair energy is absorbed by anything dark in color whether it be hair or skin, the laser parameters
will need to be set differently for individual patients.

SKIN TYPE VARIATION Skin types range from type I-VI based upon the so called Fitzpatrick scale:

I: White; Always burns, never tans
II: White; Usually burns, Difficult to tan
III:White;Sometimes burns, average tan
IV: Moderate brown; rarely burns tans easy
V:Dark brown;rarely burns, easy
VI:Black; never burns, tans easily.

In general in order that the skin is not adversely affected by laser treatment, it is recommended that self tanning be avoided both prior to and immediately following laser hair sessions. Fortunately at ALC, we use the GentleLase Laser Hair Removal System which can treat most every skin type effectively and thus is different from the majority of other laser machines available on the market.

What does the treatment involve? The patient will be asked to wear eye protection consisting of an opaque covering or goggles while the area to be treated will be shaved prior to treatment. Shaving at home before coming to the clinic can be very helpful particularly for the men with extensive hair growth on the back or
chest region. A small handpiece is barely placed against the skin and a burst of laser energy is applied as the laser is activated. In some cases pre treatment with a special cream to anaesthetize the skin thus decreasing any discomfort during the procedure may be warranted. The duration of each treatment as well as
the total number of treatments required vary between individuals based upon hair density, hair thickness, hormonal influences and hair location on the body. Because hair cycles through "growth" and "dormant" phases, as mentioned above and because during the "dormant" phase the follicle has no pigment 4-6 sessions
may be necessary for permanent hair reduction.

What are the advantages over other forms of treatment? Traditional hair removal techniques such as shaving, plucking and waxing, provide only temporary relief and may actually stimulate hair growth. All of these methods commonly result in scarring, allergic reactions, and ingrown hairs. With electrolysis, the operator inserts a needle into the hair shaft with the intention of reaching the follicle, then sends a small electrical charge designed to disable the follicle. The operator then removes that particular hair with a tweezer. Hair removal is obviously much faster with a laser as the laser is pulsed about once per second across the
surface of the skin. Each "pulse" of laser light disables a large numbers of hair follicles at the same time. Electrolysis operators can only treat those hairs that they can see but as mentioned earlier may be the only other permanent option if the patients present with light colored hair which remains ineffective against the
laser.

Are there any side effects? Immediately after the treatment the skin will look pink and slightly swollen, similar to a sunburn. This will subside within an hour or two and the skin will return to normal. Occasionally, a patient will have temporary pigment changes, blistering, or scabbing. As with electrolysis, cases of scarring
have been reported with laser hair removal, but these are extremely rare. A test spot is often utilized to assess and determine how each individual's skin will react. Once again, tanning is contraindicated before and between treatment intervals in order to decrease the incidence of skin reactions and pigmentary changes. Any history of excessive hair growth (hirsutism), hormonal fluctuations, localized skin infections or lesions, previous scarring of the skin, specific skin allergies or photosensitizing medications (Accutane and Retin A, as well as other medications), immunological problems, previous radiation and diabetes all can affect the eventual outcome or your results.