• Qualified Registered Nurses do all treatments at our centre.

• As per the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons guidelines, all of our staff undergo formal training to ensure competency in laser hair removal, and must successfully complete the laser course given by the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.
• This course includes instruction in the basic principles of laser physics and safety. In addition, specilized  training is done on all the laser systems used at the Laser and Light Hair Removal Clinic.
• Satisfactory completion of the course requires the performance of a minimum of 30 supervised cases, backed up by a documented annual review of competence.

• Only qualified Registered Nurses perform our treatments.
• Physicians supervising the procedures are all board-certified dermatologists with knowledge of skin and laser treatments.

• The consultation determines your suitability for Laser and Light Hair Removal and is essential to help you understand how the lasers work to remove unwanted hair.
• During the consultation, your goals and realistic expectations are clearly defined.

• Factors such as skin type, hair colour and texture affect how you will  respond to the laser treatment.
• The laser works best on patients with dark hair and fair skin, while white, blond or light hair may not respond to treatment.
• A test site may be required for darker skin types to determine how your skin may react to lasers.
• Some areas of the body respond better to treatment than others.
• Permanent hair reduction is achieved in 6-10 treatments, each approximately 6-8 weeks apart.

• To date, the FDA has only approved the use of the term 'permanent hair reduction'.
• Because this technology is relatively new, only about 8 or 10 years from the original research, no one knows how permanent it is in the longer term.
• Usually, any hair that remains following a series of laser hair removal treatments is finer and lighter in colour.

• Cosmetic laser hair removal is not an MSP-covered benefit, and thus no referral is required.
• If you have a medical condition that causes excess hair growth, your family physician may decide to refer you to a dermatologist at our centre for medical management of your condition.
• Laser and Light Hair Removal is considered a cosmetic treatment since it is primarily aimed at changing the appearance of the skin.

• The cost of Laser and Light Hair Removal depends on the size of the site being treated and the hair removal system used.
• A specific quote will be provided during the consultation.

• There are different systems with different laser wavelengths. Some lasers are capable of more energy than others.
• The principles of how they work are relatively similar.
• Some laser wavelengths are less effective for removing unwanted hair.
• Settings for all lasers are different and it is important to match the treatment settings to each individual's skin and hair type.

• Do not wax or pluck the hairs in the area to be treated for at least one month prior to treatment.
• The hairs should be about of one-eighth of an inch long like the stubble of a man's beard one day after shaving.
• The area should be clean and clear of any make-up, creams, deodorant, or other skin care products.

• Do not wax or pluck the hairs in the area to be treated for at least one month prior to treatment.
• The hairs should be shaved a day before treatment; please take specific note of area to be treated so you can relay this to the nursing staff.
• The area should be clean and clear of any make-up, creams, deodorant, or other skin care products

• There are lightening creams available, but we have not found them to be necessary or beneficial.
• Please note that treatment will not be  performed on newly tanned skin. This skin is more prone to side effects and complications. Treatment settings may have to be changed for darker tans of more that six weeks duration.

• During electrolysis, a needle is inserted into each hair follicle, one at a time, which is very time-consuming.
• Lasers and IPL's use light to target larger areas, and are therefore more efficient.  For this reason, larger areas can be treated at each session. For a few stray hairs, electrology may be the most cost effective treatment.
• Laser and lights are generally more selective in destroying the hair in the follicle.
• A laser is a very bright intensified one colour light, whereas IPL's are filtered lights and not just one colour but a part of the light spectrum.

• There is no long-term data available indicating that laser or light is harmful to a fetus, but as it is not medically necessary, we recommend waiting until after the birth of your child before undergoing laser treatment.

• Scarring is uncommon with this procedure, but as with any skin treatment, there is a slight risk of this and other side effects. This will be addressed during the consultation.
• Some skin types, such as darker skin types, are more prone to side effects than others.
• Most side effects are reversible in time.

• Pain is an individual experience affected by a variety of factors.
• Each laser or light impact on the skin has been described as "an elastic band slapping your skin".
• Many people require nothing during treatment, while others choose to put on a topical anesthetic (freezing cream), which must be applied prior to treatment. We recommend that you have the nurse apply it the first time to ensure you understand how to use it correctly.

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