  Does laser hair removal work for everyone?
You may have heard that laser hair removal will only work for people with light skin and dark hair. This is simply not true. Treatment is effective on all skin types including dark skinned patients of all ethnic origins. The only hair we are unable to target is white, blond or grey hair. This is because the laser selectively targets melanin, the substance that provides pigmentation to hair. Blond, grey and white hair does not contain enough pigment for the laser to target and therefore we can not disable the follicle from growing back. At Monarch we use three different state-of-the-art lasers, choosing the one(s) that will be suited your individual situation.
Is the process painful?
Most people associate the sensation with the snapping of a small rubber band against the skin. Clients with dark, coarse, dense hair growth will experience more discomfort than those with light brown sparsely populated hair. If you are concerned about pain, our staff will assess your case and recommend one of our topical anesthetic creams to make the process comfortable for you. After treatment there is normally some temporary redness and swelling but these effects are mild and short-lived.
Is it permanent?
Yes. However, it normally takes at least 5 treatments to remove most of the hair in any one area. Laser hair removal only works on follicles that are in the active growth (anagen) phase. At any given time, only a portion of the hair in an one area will be actively growing. The rest of the hair is in a dormant, telogen phase and therefore can not be targeted by the laser. We space your treatments based on the growth cycle of your hair in order to target hair that has moved from the telogen to the anagen phase. Staying on your treatment cycle will be important in maximizing hair reduction for each treatment that you purchase.
What do I need to do to prepare for treatment?
You must wear sunblock and avoid all sun exposure for at least 2 weeks prior to your treatment. We cannot treat anyone who has been in the sun, used sunless tanner or sat in a tanning bed within two weeks of treatment. Tanning increases your risk for burns and blistering with laser treatment. You should arrive for treatment shaved and at your baseline skin tone. If the sun cannot be avoided, be sure to use a sun block with an SPF of 30 or higher to provide protection between treatments. Clothing alone will not protect you against the sun. Ideally you should arrive at each treatment shaved and at your natural skin tone to maximize your results.
Are there any side effects?
As long as you limit your exposure to sunlight immediately before and after treatment, you should experience no side effects other than the brief redness and sensitivity mentioned above. Monarch Med Spas expert nurses will use the correct laser(s) for your skin type and advise you thoroughly to make sure the total experience is as pain free as possible.
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