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Laser Hair Removal San Francisco ... Epi Center MedSpa Light Sheer at the Epi Center 
How does the Light Sheer system work? The light wavelength from the laser is absorbed by germinative cells that produce hair in the follicle. The follicle is heated and the germinative cells are destroyed. 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 ChillTip helps protect the skin by conductive cooling during the laser energy delivery. Dr. Patrick Bitter, Sr. participated in the FDA clinical trials for laser hair removal and has been performing this treatment since 1995. Who is eligible for laser hair removal using the The Light Sheer system is designed to be safe and effective for all skin types, including Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI. For darker skin types appropriate fluences are generally lower and appropriate pulse widths are generally longer to prevent damage to the epidermis. Using the appropriate treatment parameters, however, people with all skin types can benefit from laser hair removal with the LightSheer. Is the hair removal permanent? All patients treated with the LightSheer experience short term hair removal, but because of the nature of hair and the many factors that influence the growth of hair, the extent of long-term hair reduction will vary among individuals. Generally, patients with dark hair and fair skin tend to have the best long-term results. Most patients do experience permanent reduction in number, diameter and color of terminal hairs. Most patients will experience up to 70%-90% reduction in hair growth after a series of treatments. How many laser hair removal treatments will I need and how often? 
Each hair follicle passes through three different growth phases. An active phase, an intermediate phase where no growth occurs but the hair is still visible, and a resting phase where the hair is released from the follicle. It is optimal to treat the hair in an active growing phase in order to target the germination cells that produce the hair in the follicle. Because not all hair follicles are in a growing phase at the same time, multiple sequential treatments are required for optimal hair reduction. Generally, most patients will require between 5 – 7 laser hair removal treatments to experience hair reduction. Treatments for facial areas are usually scheduled 6 - 8 weeks apart, while body areas are scheduled 8 - 12 weeks apart. It is recommended to do treatments consistently, as this allows us to treat all the hair follicles in a growth cycle at some time during your hair removal treatments. Is laser hair removal safe? As with any medical treatment, use of the LightSheer can have side effects. The most common are transient erythema or swelling. Transient changes in skin pigmentation may occur as well. However, side effects have been minor and manageable in clinical use of the Light Sheer. The precise laser parameters used for the Light Sheer were carefully defined by studying the anatomy of the hair follicle and precisely matching the color of laser light and the pulse duration to the size, depth and location of the hair follicle. This research has resulted in a safe technique that effectively reduces the risk of scarring and most other complications following treatment. Is laser hair removal painful? The LightSheer system’s ChillTip helps reduce discomfort while protecting the skin surface from thermal injury during delivery of the pulse of the laser light. If large or sensitive areas with unwanted hair are to be treated, a topical anesthetic cream may be applied to the site to further reduce discomfort. Please arrive at the office 30 minutes prior to your hair removal procedure if you choose to apply the topical anesthetic.
Immediately after laser hair removal treatment, the site will be somewhat swollen, appear slightly red in color, and will feel like a mild sunburn. This reaction subsides over a few hours, and then the treated sites usually return to their normal appearance. The amount of discomfort after this procedure is usually minimal and does not limit most normal physical activities. Since light is used to remove the hair, there is no bleeding and no open wound is created. For this reason, there is no need to apply a bandage and wound care is generally not required. What other complications have been associated with laser hair removal? In addition to transient epidermal injury (pain, erythema, edema, blistering), transient hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation and transient textural changes (crusting or scabbing) have been observed in some patients treated with the LightSheer. Proper patient selection, pretreatment and matching treatment parameters with skin type can help minimize these complications.Patients who carry the herpes simplex virus and receive treatment on their upper lip, chin, or lower cheeks may have a “flare-up” of their condition. The risk of this complication can be reduced if the patient takes an antiviral medication for a few days before and after each laser hair removal treatment. How long does the laser hair removal procedure take? Hair removal treatments may take from 15 minutes up to an hour of more depending on the size of the area to be treated. Why should I use the LightSheer rather than the methods I’ve been using for years? The LightSheer has four advantages over older methods of epilation: comfort, minimal risk of infection, speed, and accuracy. 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 reduced. Because the system is fast, it allows for larger areas to be treated, considerable increasing the efficiency of the hair removal process, which allows more patients to be treated during a typical day. Finally the LightSheer is a precise instrument that can be adjusted to damage only the hair follicle while minimally affecting the surrounding skin. What advantages does the LightSheer have over other laser hair removal systems? Dr. Bitter, Sr. pioneered several hair removal lasers. We performed the clinical trials for the Epilight system and prior to that used the ruby laser. We have chosen the Light Sheer because it was designed from the ground up for laser hair removal. It has the wavelength, fluence, pulse width, and active epidermal cooling system ideally suited for laser hair removal. Compared to other laser systems, we feel it is the most effective hair removal laser available today. Who can perform the laser hair removal procedure? The state of California requires that the procedure be performed by a Registered Nurse, licensed in the State of California who has completed a training program. The nurses at the Epi Center MedSpa in San Francisco are highly trained professionals who not only perform laser hair removal but other laser procedures and cosmetic services as well. Additionally, the Epi Center Med Spa is a training facility for physicians and nurses from across the country who are starting a new practice or expanding their current cosmetic center. Is laser hair removal covered by insurance or managed care organizations? In general, laser hair removal is not covered by insurance plans or other third party payers.
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