Most Common Questions for hair removal

*Please SHAVE*....Yes thoroughly shave the area to be treated, even if it is a women’s face or a hard to reach area such as a man's back. The laser does not work on stubble. If you arrive unshaven we may need to reschedule your appointment or incur an extra cost of $30.00 if, we have the time to shave the area.
1) How many treatments will I need? Between 6 to 12. Generally speaking. Light skin with dark hair responds the quickest. Light hair with light skin and dark hair with dark skin take longer. Laser does not work on GRAY hair.
2) Once I finish my 12 sessions will I need more treatments? How much will that cost? If you have received your treatments with us, we sell our touch ups at a discounted rate.
3) Is there a risk for a burn? Yes. Do not come in with a sun tan, tanning products, or tanning bed use or on any photo sensitive medications please. Some antibiotics would be an example of this.
4) Do you offer a guarantee for the laser treatments I purchase? No, because everyone responds differently to laser. However, we are using the best technology available on the market.
5) How long will my session take? Depending on the size of the area we are treating anywhere from 10-90 mins.
6) Will it hurt? Most people say it feels like a rubber band snapping against you. We numb the area with ice packs and chilled rollers prior to treatment.
7) Are you a certified technician facility? Yes. We have over 15 years of combined experience with 4 different laser technologies.
8) Who will be doing the treatment? A certified medical aesthetician, who is also a certified laser technician.
9) How does laser hair removal work? The EPL laser is a concentrated light that hits the root and bulge of the hair in the form of heat. When the light hits the hair bulb and bulge the hair root is coagulated. This is when the root typically dies.
10) Why do I have to come more then 1 or 2 times? Because there are 3 different growth stages of a hair, the formation, growth and dormant phase. The hair can only be killed in the formation stage. Since we do not know the stage of the hair we need to continue the treatment.
11) Is it important to come at the scheduled appointments? Yes. Ideally we do treatments every 4 to 6 weeks. Coming in at the proper times will give you better long term results. The first appointment must be made when no sun exposure has occurred.
12) If I have darker skin can I get laser hair removal? Yes. You will have to schedule a complimentary test spot treatment first, and it will take more treatments to get desired results.
13) Will all my hair be gone when I'm finished with package? Probably not every single hair. Most people will see 65% to 95% reduction after a complete package. If the person only shaves and does not miss any appointments the better results. Darker skinned people will need more treatments.
14) Can hair grow back? If a root was killed it will not come back. However, sometimes the laser only stunts the growth of the hair and it will grow back in 8 to 12 weeks. Also in some instances people experience odd hormone fluctuations. For example during pregnancy and menopause. The body does not have the ability to create new hair follicles.
15) What if I decide not to finish my package, can I get reimbursed for the left over treatments? Unfortunately no, we can credit you for another service.
16) Can I share my treatments with other people? No.
17) Can I use the last couple treatments of my package for another area? Yes if you have paid full price and not purchased a special deal. We are offering special pricing for purchasers of the special.
18) What can I expect after every treatment? Some people experience redness, blistering but this is rare. This usually goes away after a few hours but can take up to 48 hours. However, if you are sensitive or have skin allergies, it may take longer to heal. You may not notice much reduction at first but within a few weeks you begin to see patches of baldness. If you are unsure we always recommend a patch test first.
19) What do I do if I get irritated? We will apply an aloe Vera gel to the area and you can ice the area at home until the redness subsides.
20) What if I get burned? Call us. Put ice on the area for 10 mins at a time for the first 24hrs. PLEASE DON'T COME IN TANNED! And please don't fib about your sun exposure!!! It is you who is at risk.
21) What about darker skin types? All darker skin types will first need a complimentary test patch done, results will take longer because the color of the hair and the skin is so similar that the patient may find this more painful and we need to use lower energy.
22) What is the size of areas being treated?
Bikini- This covers about 2 to 3 fingers of area along the panty line. It covers whatever is hanging out of the panty. It does not cover the outer thigh, inside the panty, the stomach or the line leading to the belly button. It does not include a Brazilian.
Upper back- It includes from the shoulder blades to just before the shoulders. It does not include the flanks, shoulders or lower back. These areas can be purchased for a great price once you get to your appointment.
Half of one arm- This is either from the shoulder to the elbow or the elbow to the wrist. And it only includes one arm.
Lip- This area includes the upper lip and no other areas.
Underarms- This area includes both underarms. No other areas.
Back of neck- This area includes the hair line and the stragglers going down the neck. It does not include the shoulders or the front of the neck. Be careful about getting sun in this area. SPF will need to be continually applied to avoid the risk of getting burned while being treated.
23) For further information please download our brochure - Laser Hair Removal - Brochure

Phaser-EPL is the latest generation in IPL technology offering a wide range of treatment options…
Phaser-EPL is the result of more than 20 years experience in the medical laser industry and a fresh innovation from Chromogenex Technologies Ltd; the inventors and patent holder for laser hair removal, non ablative wrinkle removal and home of the Regenlite advanced pulsed dye laser. Phaser-EPL is an Intense Pulsed Light System utilising its own Smartlite™ Dual Phase Technology.
Dual Phase Smartlite™ Technology
Dual Phase Smartlite™ technology is a unique feature, setting new standards in IPL technology and developed exclusively for the Phaser range of products. Smartlite™ produces high levels of light energy that can be used effectively for the treatment of unwanted hair, skin rejuvenation and active acne. This unique technology uses a combination of enclosed waveguide and a special reflecting cavity at the rear of the flash lamp source which increases transmission of light energy into tissue significantly compared to a standard IPL. Phaser-EPL has a unique Dual Phase Pulse which is designed to provide destruction of both the bulge and the bulb for ultimate hair removal results.

The primary phase is a fast rise sculptured pulse allowing 50% of the energy to be transferred to tissue in the optimum time interval to focus on a flowing blood target and ultimately destruction of the bulge. This effect is essential for the removal of finer and lighter coloured hairs. This rapid rise in energy is also extremely effective for the treatment of unwanted pigmentation when used with the appropriate handpiece. The secondary phase of the pulse is an extended tail of energy to enhance the thermal increase in the hair bulb, without increasing the temperature of the epidermis. This enables the coarser and more stubborn hairs to be treated efficiently.

Proven Treatment Process
Our past hair removal experience with lasers and IPL has clearly demonstrated it is important to destroy both the germ cell (bulge) and hair root (bulb). Smartlite™ delivers a combination of yellow and red light combined with DPT (Dual Phase Technology) to destroy both structures and increase the efficiency and results.

Anti Aging / Photo-Rejuvenation as most of us age, we begin to see visible signs of sun damage, uneven pigmentation and other dullness on our skin. This aged look may include freckles, age spots, rosacea, wrinkles, spider veins, enlarged pores and dark circles under eyes, ect. Photo-Rejuvenation, commonly known as photo-facial or fotofacial, is the only procedure that can effectively treat these eyesores all at once. With the help of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology, great improvement can now be accomplished with little or no "downtime" and with very minimal discomfort.

A: The yellow light absorbs into blood targets and can effectively be used to coagulate and collapse vascular irregularities. The red light targets unwanted pigmentation and the combination of both lights stimulates collagen production to improve skin structure and reduce fine lines and laxity

A: Photo-facial treatments can be used on any part of the body. They are especially effective for improving the appearance of the face, neck, chest, arms and hands.

A: The number of treatments required depends on several factors related to your scar/ stretch marks, skin type and color etc. Usually five to six treatments spread out a month apart are required to achieve satisfactory results.

A: You can expect to see a gradual decrease in overall redness, flushing and dilated capillaries. People with visible aging from the sun can expect to see their skin become smoother and their sun spots fading. Many people with rosacea see an improvement in breakouts and are able to decrease or discontinue their medications.

A: Each treatment takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how many areas are treated. A mild amount of discomfort can be expected. Immediately after treatment, the skin may appear red and flushed and tiny capillaries may appear more visible. Brown spots generally appear darker. All of these changes gradually fade over a period of hours or few days.

A: Most patients notice improvement even after the first treatment. These improvements are gradual and will be more visible after each treatment. For most patients, a series of 3 to 5 treatments is appropriate. Some patients will benefit from additional treatments.

Rosacea

Though the exact cause of rosacea is still unknown, some common factors that may trigger its development include: genetic predisposition, vitamin-B deficiency, temperature change, spicy food, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, stress and other skin disorders.

Fortunately, advances in light technology have given us many effective solutions for treating more severe cases of rosacea. It is now known that IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) offers one of the best treatments for rosacea, especially for the erythema (facial redness).

A: To clear rosacea, a specific wavelength of light is absorbed by the blood vessels and quickly converted to heat. The sudden rise in temperature breaks down and damages the lesion. The damaged blood vessels are absorbed and carried away by the lymphatic system, eventually removing the appearance of rosacea from the skin.

A: The whole procedure only takes 10 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the area targeted. Thanks to its advanced, new technologies, IPL technology works several times faster than any other laser or pulsed light platform in the world.

A: Due to its increased power and effectiveness, fewer treatments are required. For the best results, we recommend 3 to 5 treatments, usually at 2 week intervals.

A: In the majority of cases, results are permanent. However, we recommend the use of sunscreen to limit exposure to the sunlight in order to prevent further damage.

A: There may be a slight reddening in the treated area immediately after the treatment, but this usually disappears shortly. Make-up can be applied following the procedure. You should avoid sun exposure for 24-48 hours and moisturize the treated area.

Acne

Acne can affect us at almost any age; typically it begins during adolescence, when hormonal changes cause the enlargement and obstruction of sebaceous glands in the skin. Consequently, many people experience an abnormal proliferation of bacteria, predominantly propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). This typically causes painful, inflamed lesions that can appear on the face, chest, back, limbs and virtually any other part of the body.

A: Acne occurs when the skin's sebaceous glands become overactive, creating cellular debris that plugs the glands. Bacteria accumulate in the blocked gland and the results are pimples, cysts, redness and inflammation.

A: It works on the active acne by killing the bacteria and it works in a separate manner on the sebaceous (oil) glands. It is often beneficial to individuals with very resistant acne who have not had success with medications, creams or microdermabrassion.
The longer wavelength can penetrate deeper into the hyperactive sebaceous glands and slow down their metabolism to prevent future acne from forming. Pulsed light systems are similar to lasers, but with a larger, more diffuse beam for safe and comfortable treatment.

A: The Pulsed Light Treatment involves the use of a handheld device that gently and quickly flashes a high-intensity light onto targeted areas of your skin. You may experience a slight stinging, similar to being snapped with a rubber band, as you are being treated, but most people do not experience this as painful. You will wear protective goggles over your eyes during the procedure. Your skin may be slightly red after treatment. This temporary redness, which may look and feel like a slight sunburn, may last a few hours to a few days. After treatment, the acne blemishes shrink and become less noticeable and then fade after approximately one week you may need consecutive sessions to clear acne completely.

Unsightly spider veins (face veins and leg veins) affect millions of people all over the world, mostly women. In the past, this problem could only be solved through painful and expensive surgery, but now the superficial face veins and leg veins can be safely and effectively treated with EPL laser technology.

A: Immediately after the treatment, you may see any of these possible outcomes:
• The vessel disappears
• The vessel darkens
• The vessel shrinks
Within a few hours following the procedure, the bulging appearance of vessels or any inflammation will disappear. The surrounding skin may turn pink or be slightly swollen for up to 24 hours. The treated vessels may eventually disappear in 2 to 6 weeks.
After a laser spider vein removal procedure at Divine, you are strongly advised to avoid direct exposure to sunlight and any medication containing aspirin.

A: Treatment sessions are typically 4-6 weeks apart. Smaller spider veins may be treated every 4 weeks.

A: ANY medical laser procedure has risk of side effects such as superficial blistering, crusting, and pigmentary changes in the skin. These risks are rare and usually quickly resolved. The EPL laser incorporates several technological advances that focus on patient safety to minimize these risks and provide greater satisfaction. The laser technician applies a cooling ice patch to cool the skin for added protection and comfort during the procedure.

A: Anyone with no history of the following health ailments photosensitivity, lupus, or cancer or pregnancy is not a candidate with unwanted leg veins or vascular lesions may be a candidate for treatment with the Laser technology. Removal of vascular lesions and veins with EPL technology is a safe and effective alternative for patients who want non-invasive approach to vascular treatment. Laser Vein is the clear choice for patients who do not like needles or who have had adverse reaction to solutions that are injected into the vein during Sclerotherapy.

Melasma (also known as chloasma or the mask of pregnancy) refers to a tan or dark facial skin discoloration. Although it can affect anyone, melasma is particularly common in women, especially pregnant women and those who are taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
The exact cause of this hyper-pigmentation is unknown, but the top four factors that contribute to melasma are genetics, hormones, and sun exposure and skin inflammation. Intense or chronic sun exposure can make the problem worse.
Melasma presents no health risk, and does not impair the body's ability to function normally.

A: At Divine Skin Therapy, we use the EPL laser technology to reduce the appearance of melasma.
During intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment, a hand-held laser is passed over the skin to target the melanin. EPL treatment has been shown to work best with epidermal type melasma. The light energy heats the melanin cells to destroy them. While EPL is an effective treatment for melasma, be sure to consult with your doctor to determine your type of melasma and whether EPL is right for you.

A: Treatment with the EPL technology laser takes anywhere from 5 minutes to 1 hour depending on the treatment area that is carried out.
Usually 3 to 7 treatments sessions are required to see a 50 to 80% improvement. These are spaced out every 3 to 6 weeks (on average).

A: Typically, we ask our patients to discontinue the use of retinoic acid products and glycolic acid products for 3 to 4 days before your next treatment. It is also wise to stay out of intense sunlight (or tanning beds) beginning 2 weeks prior to your laser treatment. Sometimes an antiviral medication may be prescribed by your family doctor if you are prone to cold sore formation.

A: The treatment is mildly traumatic to the skin. Minimal swelling and redness even crustation is often noted post treatment. Depending on the location, this process can take up to 3 to 7 days to resolve. Once the skin has fully healed, you can then undergo another treatment (we recommend to wait at least 3 to 4 weeks between treatment sessions for melasma).

A: UV radiation is a main factor that worsens melasma, therefore sunlight protection is essential for melasma patients. , We recommend the SPF 45 sunscreen, which effectively protects the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. You can also use spf mineral powder that has tint for coverage of the treated areas, so basically an all-in-one. Protective clothing and hats are also highly recommended. Some melasma patients should discuss alternative options of oral contraceptive with their gynecologists, as it may significantly increase the chance of reoccurence.

A: The benefits from the melasma removal procedure can last for a long time. Repeat treatments are sometimes required to further enhance your results (expect some degree of worsening of the condition in the summer months). In our experience, patient satisfaction has been high for this procedure. Results, however, may vary from patient to patient.

Sun spot (lentigos), also known as "age spots", "liver spots", "brown spots" and "freckles", are multiple, flat spots on the skin caused by uneven distribution of melanin (skin pigment). They typically appear on sun exposed areas of the skin like the face, neck, arms and shoulders.

The melanin pigment in our skin absorbs sunlight and helps to protect our skin from UV rays. However as we age, our skin's natural ability to fend off UV rays gradually deteriorates, and we see the development of age spots and more and more other sun damage.

If you’ve considered treatment options for sun-spots (age-spots) but are concerned about the level of invasion or down-time associated with many procedures, Intense Pulsed-Light therapy (IPL) could be a great choice for you.

A: Age spots are flat and vary in size from a small pea to a dime. They usually are somewhat round and have irregular borders. They are found on chronically sun-exposed areas such as the shoulders, upper back, face, forearms, and the back of hands.