Babich Skin Care Services

LightSheer™ Hair Removal

LightSheer is the new “gold standard” procedure specifically designed to remove unwanted hair faster, safer and more reliably and with less discomfort than any other method. The LightSheer diode laser is the world’s most advanced treatment for effectively removing unwanted hair.

The key to successful hair removal is destroying the entire follicle, down to the bulb and its germinating centers, while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. Destroying the hair follicle during its active growth cycle is another key to producing long-term hair reduction. Consequently, multiple treatments scheduled several weeks or even months apart are typically required to achieve optimal results.

The LightSheer diode laser gently removes unwanted hair, based on the principle of selective photothermolysis; the process whereby light energy causes thermal injury to the hair follicle. The light penetrates through the skin and is absorbed in the target pigment (melanin) found in the hair shaft. The energy absorbed in the shaft causes the temperature to reach a sufficiently high level in the hair follicle, so the targeted hair structures are destroyed and re-growth is inhibited.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why use the LightSheer™ Diode Laser over the other hair removal systems?
   The LightSheer™ is a laser that is specifically designed for hair removal. We have chosen this laser because of the extensive clinical and basic science research, which demonstrated its effectiveness for permanent hair reduction. Other laser hair removal systems that we have investigated cannot make this claim. Also, the LightSheer™ is the only laser that can safely treat a broader range of skin tones including patients with darker complexions.
    
2. How does the LightSheer™ system remove hair?
   This laser targets the pigment located in the hair follicle and shaft. The light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and this energy is converted to heat which results in thermal damage to the hair follicle. This damage causes permanent hair reduction. Thick dark hair responds best to the laser because more heat is generated. Unlike electrolysis, which kills one hair follicle at a time, the LightSheer™ laser reaches and treats hundreds of follicles at a time.
    
3. Is it safe?
   Yes! The LightSheer™ system was developed from years of research at the Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine, one of the world’s leading medical laser research institutions. The laser is pulsed, "turned on", for only a fraction of a second and the duration of each pulse is just long enough to disable the hair follicles. A unique component of the LightSheer system, the actively cooled sapphire handpiece was designed to protect the skin by actively cooling it before, during and after the laser light is transmitted. It also actively draws off heat from the skin surface, which further protects the skin from injury.
    
4. Does it hurt?
   The cooling tip has a mild anesthetic property, which allows tender areas to be treated in a relatively painless fashion. You may feel a tingling or stinging sensation during the treatment, but most people tolerate the procedure well. If you find the first treatment too uncomfortable you can request a topical anesthetic to be used before subsequent treatments.
    
5. How many treatments will I need?
   Interestingly, not all hairs are actively growing at the same time. Hairs go through three distinct phases: growth, regression and resting. The LightSheer™ laser, like any other hair removal system, works by disabling hair that is principally in the active growth phase at the time of treatment. Since other hairs will enter this active growth phase at different times, additional treatments may be necessary to disable all hair follicles in a given area. Generally, anywhere from 3 to 10 treatments will be needed to achieve the results you desire— with an average of 5 treatments for most body surface areas.
    
6. What happens after treatment?
   Within several minutes, the treated area may become slightly red and inflamed (puffy). This reaction subsides quickly and within a day or so the areas return to normal. Depending on the area treated you should plan work or social engagements accordingly. Around 3 to 7 days after treatment you may experience what seems to be regrowth of hair. Actually, most of these hairs are "dead" and are being shed as a result of your treatment and are not regrowing. In-between treatments you should NOT wax or pluck, but it is permissible to shave— waxing or plucking eliminates a target for your next laser treatment. Some will experience a mild acne type of reaction in the areas that have been treated and often this can be treated with mild acne medications.
    
7. Who is a good candidate for LightSheer Laser hair removal?
   The ideal candidate for most hair removal lasers has dark hair and light skin. Darker hairs absorb more of the laser light, and lighter skin allows more transmission of the laser light into the hair follicle. Although dark or tanned skin may run a higher risk of pigmentation changes following the procedure, the LightSheer’s™ unique longer wavelength at 810nm allows treatment of these patients with the least risk when compared to other laser systems.
    
8. Where can I get more information?
   You can find out more about Lightsheer™ Hair Removal from Lumenis.
    

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