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Frequently Asked Questions
About Laser Hair Removal
Where is Leesburg Laser Center located?
We are conveniently located in Old Town Leesburg in Colonial Square Office Condominiums. Leesburg is only 45 minutes from Washington, DC. We are in Northern Virginia, only a short drive Reston, Herndon, Tyson’s Corner, and Sterling. We’re even a short drive from many areas in Maryland including Poolesville, Frederick, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Rockville.
Is parking easy?
Here at Leesburg Laser Center we have a huge parking lot with plenty of free parking for our laser hair removal clients so parking is very easy.
How many laser hair removal treatments will I need?
On average, it will take from 4 to 6 laser hair removal treatments spaced approximately 6 to 8 weeks apart to complete the laser hair removal process. Results can vary from person to person and from body part to body part. When you visit Leesburg Laser Center for your complimentary consultation we will be able to help you with realistic expectations of laser hair removal. We need to evaluate your skin and hair types to more precisely answer this question for you.
Am I a good candidate for laser hair removal?
The best candidates for laser hair removal have light skin and dark hair. It is important to know that coarse hair generally responds better than fine hair. Laser hair removal does not work on white, gray or blonde hair. There are products on the market that claim to make light colored hair respond to laser hair removal treatments, but they have been found ineffective and therefore we do not use them at Leesburg Laser Center.
Does laser hair removal hurt?
Most people describe the laser hair removal sensation as similar to a rubber band snap. If you have ever waxed or used Epi-Lady, you should not have any trouble with our laser, the Candela Gentlelase Mini laser hair removal technology.
I’ve had laser hair removal treatments in the past and they hurt even though I was using a topical anesthetic! How can you possibly do treatments without numbing the area first?
The laser we use at Leesburg Laser Center is the only laser hair removal system on the market which sprays a burst of cryogen just before the laser pulse to protect and cool your skin during treatment. This laser hair removal system is so comfortable that we have never allowed the use of topical anesthetics (numbing creams) at Leesburg Laser Center. Topical anesthetics can have serious side effects when not used according to the directions found in the package insert or when used in combination with other medications. To help convince you that our laser is more comfortable than the laser you have your previous laser hair removal treatments with, we offer a free underarm treatment for women at your complimentary consultation. Men will have a complimentary neck treatment at their laser hair removal consultation.
Can I shave between laser hair removal treatments?
Yes, you can always shave between laser hair removal treatments. In fact, we ask that you shave the area before your appointment. Laser hair removal works best if there is not much surface hair.
Will laser hair removal work on ingrown hairs?
Yes, laser hair removal works quite well on ingrown hairs since you do not need to have surface hair for the laser to be effective.
Can you treat tanned skin with your laser hair removal equipment?
It is not in your best interest to treat tan skin with the laser we use at Leesburg Laser Center. Having tan skin makes you more prone to any of the possible side effects of laser hair removal. For that reason, we ask that you allow your tan to fade before a laser hair removal treatment and that you not get tan for three days after a laser hair removal treatment. The term ‘tanning’ includes any treatment that darkens your skin including the sun, tanning beds, bronzing beds, spray on tans, or self tanning lotions. If you tan on a regular basis, please visit the following links to learn more about the dangers of tanning:
www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/tanning.html
www.skincancer.org/artificial/index.php
www.cancer.gov/newscenter/tip-sheet-tanning-booths
What is the difference between electrolysis and laser hair removal?
Electrolysis treats the hair one follicle at a time by inserting a tiny needle into the hair shaft to heat the hair and disable it. Electrolysis will work on any color of hair, being effective only on hairs in the growth phase.
Laser hair removal treats many hairs at once. Each pulse of the laser treats all of the hairs in an area about the size of a quarter. The laser disables the hair in the growth phase by heating up the melanin in the hair. For that reason, laser hair removal only works on dark hair.
Electrolysis can be a very effective treatment to use in conjunction with laser hair removal since it can treat any color hair.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
Yes, the laser we use for hair removal at Leesburg Laser Center has been given FDA approval for the claim of “Permanent Hair Reduction”. Reduction is defined as 85% less hair. The hair that you will be left with after a series of laser hair removal treatments will be hair that is too fine and light in color to be effected by the laser hair removal treatment.
I had a laser hair removal treatment 3 days ago and my hair is already growing in that area. Does this mean the treatment didn’t work?
What you are experiencing is called the “shedding phase” of laser hair removal. Typically, 3 to 5 days after your laser hair removal treatment, the hairs remaining below the surface of the skin begin to push their way out. I about 3 to 5 more days, you will notice that these hairs that appear to be growing will simply fall out. At this point (6 to 10 days after your laser hair removal treatment), you will enter your hair free phase of 3 weeks or longer even after just one treatment. Because of this timing, patients often choose to have a laser hair removal treatment 2 to 3 weeks before vacation so that they will be in the hair free phase of their laser hair removal cycle even after one treatment!
What is the youngest age person you can treat?
At Leesburg Laser Center we recommend a person has been through puberty before starting laser hair removal treatments since it is so common to have changes in hair growth during that time.
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