Laser Hair Removal & Electrolysis in North Vancouver

Laser Hair Removal

Physician Skincare Centre, offering medically directed aesthetic services in North Vancouver, is pleased to offer safe, effective laser hair removal for a wide range of skin types. This popular treatment addresses unwanted facial and body hair, eliminating the need for regular shaving, plucking, or waxing. The most commonly treated areas are the legs, underarms, face, and bikini, although most parts of the body can be treated effectively.

Laser hair removal has been approved by Health and Welfare Canada for permanent hair reduction, which is defined as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing after a treatment regime. Therefore, any claim that lasers can offer permanent hair removal is false. With a proper treatment regime, patients can expect up to 80% reduction in unwanted hair, which may be permanent, however such a result can never be guaranteed.

How It Works

Lasers work by targeting melanin (dark pigment) within the hair follicle, thus destroying the follicle. Therefore, best results are seen when darker (black, brown) hair is treated. Laser treatment only works on hair that is in the anagen (actively growing) phase, and not on hair follicles that are in the telogen (resting) phase. For this reason, complete destruction of all hair follicles from one treatment is unlikely. Depending on the treatment area, most individuals require 4 to 8 treatments scheduled at 6 to 10 week intervals in order to obtain optimal and significant long-term hair reduction.

Using the latest technology in hair removal, Physician Skincare Centre in North Vancouver utilizes the Cutera Prowave and Coolglide laser systems. They were chosen for their safety and effectiveness, and are unique in that they can be customized to suit all skin types and tones – from light to dark, including tanned skin. Both can rapidly treat large areas, and feature a cooled handpiece which increases patient comfort and protects the surrounding skin.

When the pulse of light is delivered, some patients experience a mild pinching or stinging sensation, however the treatments are generally well tolerated. Although patients experience few side effects, those most commonly noticed are slight reddening and local swelling of the skin, similar to sunburn. These effects typically last for several hours or less. Throughout the treatment regime it is highly recommended that sun exposure be avoided. Other methods of hair removal are also discouraged, with the exception of shaving.

Laser Hair Removal Treatments

For those patients with light (blond, grey) coloured hair, laser hair removal will be ineffective. Instead we highly recommend electrolysis, which sends a small electrical current into the hair follicle, preventing the hair from re-growing. Electrolysis treatments are offered at our second location, Pender Medi Spa, located in downtown Vancouver. For more information on electrolysis, please contact Pender Medi Spa at (604) 681-6399.