Laser Hair Removal
Coastal Women’s Healthcare offers physician-directed Laser Hair Removal. Whether for hygienic or cosmetic reasons, the patient who is tired of temporary, often painful methods of removing unwanted hair may welcome laser intense pulsed light hair removal with relief.
Lasers produce highly focused, intense beams of light that are absorbed by dark pigments in the hair follicles beneath the skin’s surface and converted to heat, destroying the follicles and preventing hair growth. We have chosen the Candela GentleLase. Candela’s patented Dynamic Cooling Device technology protects the upper layers of your skin with a cooling burst of cryogen.
Multiple treatments are required for complete hair removal -- the follicle must be “active” at the time of treatment, and not all follicles are active at the same time. Treatments are needle-free and do not require anesthesia. Most patients feel nothing more than a slight sting like the snap of a rubber band. It is possible that some hair will grow back, though it is usually finer and lighter than what was originally removed. There may also be some redness and swelling following the procedure.
Patients will generally need 4-6 treatments for good results. We expect a permanent hair reduction of 85 to 95 percent after completion of the series.
The price of hair removal can vary depending on several factors including the number of treatments needed, size of areas treated (small or large) and density of hair. This service is not covered by insurance and payment is expected at the time of service. In addition to the cost per treatment, there will be a one-time $25 consultation fee that will be applied to your first treatment session.
| Area of Treatment | Cost per Treatment | |
| Upper Lip | $75 | |
| Chin | $75 - $100 | |
| Sides of Face | $185 | |
| Bikini | $150 | |
| Extended Bikini | $200 - $300 | |
| Legs (Full) | $600 - $750 | |
| Legs (Half) | $400 - $500 | |
| Underarms (Axilla) | $150 | |
| Chest & Abdomen | $225 - $600 | |
| Feet | $75 | |
| Toes | $50 | |
| Combination Areas | Cost per Treatment | |
| Chin & Sides of Face | $250 | |
| Upper Lip, Chin, & Sides of Face | $300 | |
| Chin & Upper Lip | $110 | |
| Chin & Neck | $185 - $250 |
Pre-treatment Instructions
- Apply SPF30 sun block to treatment areas that are exposed to the sun. You must limit exposure to the sun or tanning bed four – six weeks prior to treatment as tanned skin cannot be treated. Tanning lotions can be used up to one week prior to treatment.
- Tell us if you have taken Accutane in the past year or Tetracycline in the past month or are planning to begin taking either.
- Inform us if there has been any change in medical history since your last visit.
- Call us 48 hours prior to your next appointment if there is no hair re-growth in area to be treated.
- If treating the bikini area, please trim within 36 hours prior to the treatment.
- Do Not wax, tweeze, have electrolysis, use hair removal lotions, or bleach area(s) for four-six weeks prior to treatment.
- Do Not use Retin-A or glycolics for three days prior to treatment.
- The area being treated should be free of make-up, lotions, deodorants or ointments.
- If you have a history of cold sores or genital herpes, your provider will recommend prophylactic anti-viral therapy.
Post-treatment instructions
Immediately after treatment there should be redness and swelling of each hair follicle in the treatment site, which may last from 2 hours up to 2-3 days. The treated area will feel like sunburn for a few hours after treatment.
- A cool compress may be used to ensure comfort.
- A topical soothing skin care product (aloe vera gel or hydrocortisone cream) may be applied. Otherwise apply a non-fragrant moisturizer to the treatment area.
- Make-up may be used immediately after treatment as long as the skin is not irritated.
- Avoid sun exposure to reduce the chance of hyperpigmentation (dark spots).
- Use a sun block (SPF30+) at all times throughout the course of treatment.
- Avoid picking or scratching the treated skin. Do not use any other hair removal treatment products or similar treatments (waxing, electrolysis or tweezing) that will disturb the hair follicle in the treatment for 4–6 weeks after the laser is performed. Shaving is the preferred method.
- Shedding of the treated hair may occur 10–21 days after treatment and appears as new growth. Clean and remove the hair by washing or wiping the area with a wet cloth or loofa sponge.
- If underarms are treated, you may wish to use powder instead of deodorant for 24 hours to reduce skin irritation.
- There are no restrictions on bathing except to treat the skin gently as if you had a sunburn.
- Call the office for an appointment at the first sign of hair growth. This may be 4–6 weeks for the upper body and possibly as long as 2–3 months for the lower body. New hair growth will not occur for at least 3 weeks.
