Vectus Laser Hair Removal

TC Body Laser Sculpting & Aesthetics is pleased to offer a simple and quick way to permanently reduce unwanted hair. With the Vectus® Laser patients can receive treatments that are fast and effective on all skin types. Laser hair removal by TC Body Laser Sculpting & Aesthetics can permanently reduce unwanted hair anywhere on the body including legs, back, bikini and chest. During the treatment, laser energy is used to target and destroy the cells responsible for hair growth. A session takes just 15 – 60 minutes. “This powerful technology requires fewer treatments and produces better results than traditional hair removal procedures - it can eliminate the hassle of shaving and waxing, and is less painful and less time consuming than other lasers.” said Tammy Chambers, FNP with TC Body Laser Sculpting & Aesthetics. “Additionally, Vectus is the only hair removal laser in the world to utilize an FDA-cleared melanin reader, to help us safely tailor each treatment to our client’s skin type, lifestyle, ethnicity and sun exposure.” “With this treatment, in just minutes, clients can enjoy clear and silky skin all year round.

About Laser Hair Removal

How It Works

To understand how laser hair removal works, it’s helpful to understand how your hair grows. Below is an overview and how a laser is uniquely able to permanently reduce unwanted hair.

How Your Hair Grows

Hair grows from deep within hair follicles, which are embedded in the skin. Hair does not grow continuously, but in a three-phase cycle.

  • Anagen Phase: This phase is where the hair actively grows which typically lasts for several months and is the best phase for laser hair removal.

  • Catagen Phase: During this brief phase, the hair bulb regresses and begins to shrink.

  • Telogen Phase: The final phase is a resting phase which lasts a few months. During this phase, the hair is released from the follicle and once complete, the hair will restart at the Anagen or growth phase.

While the rate at which hair grows differs by individual, the length of the hair growth cycle generally depends on the type of hair. For example, the active growth phase of the hair on your head may last several years, while hair on the body has an active growth phase that may last only a few months.

How Laser Hair Removal Works

During laser hair removal, a laser device emits light energy that travels through the skin and is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and hair shaft. Pigments are the substances that give skin and hair its color. This energy damages the hair follicle, which impairs its ability to grow. Hair follicles that are in the anagen, or active growth phase, have more pigment and absorb more energy, and typically respond best to treatments. For this reason, it takes multiple treatments to achieve the best results – it’s important to “catch” your hair in this active growth phase when you are receiving treatments.

Laser Hair Removal Procedure

Patients to shave prior to their treatment - During the procedure, the provider will guide the device over the treatment area. The Vectus® Laser will emit gentle pulses of energy that are delivered into your skin and hair follicles. The hair follicles that absorb the energy from the laser will be damaged. Hairs that were present in the follicles at the time of treatment will fall out over the next couple of weeks and future hair growth will be impaired. Since not all hairs are actively growing at the same time, a single procedure will not\ treat all of the hair follicles in the area. As the follicles in the transitional and resting periods return to the active growth phase, you may notice some hair regrowth but not as thick as it was before the treatment. This regrowth will become thinner and lighter with each subsequent treatment until there is little, to no hair at all.

What to Expect on the Day of the Treatment

We suggest shaving prior to your consultation and minimizing sun exposure if you would like to get started the same day as your consultation. Typically, there is little to no down time after laser hair removal treatments and is so quick and easy patients can come on their lunch breaks. Before the laser is used, a gel is applied to your skin where you will receive treatment. The treatment will begin with the provider guiding the Vectus® Laser handpiece over the treatment area. You will feel cooling while the handpiece is gliding over the treatment area to provide a comfortable session. You may also feel a slight rubber- band like snapping when the energy is being delivered into your skin and hair follicles. The discomfort is over almost immediately, and treatments take just a few minutes depending on the size of the area. For a few days after your treatment, you may feel like you have a mild sunburn but can resume all your normal day to day activities immediately following treatment. If you are a laser hair removal patient, please be aware of the following:

  • Shave the area being treated prior to your appointment.

  • Discontinue all waxing, plucking, and tweezing on the areas receiving treatment 6 weeks before and during your sessions.

    Discontinue excessive UV exposure, tanning and tanning beds and tanning creams on the areas receiving treatment, 4 weeks prior to your appointment.

Post Treatment Instructions For Laser Hair Removal

  • Immediately after the treatment, there may be redness around the treatment site, which may last up to a couple days but usually subsides within the first few hours. It is normal for the treated area to feel like a mild sunburn for the first few days.

  • Avoid sun exposure on the treated area and use a sunscreen SPF 45 or greater at all times throughout the course of treatment.

  • Anywhere from 7-30 days after treatment, shedding of the hair may occur and this may appear as new hair growth. This is not all new hair growth, but mostly dead hair pushing its way out of the follicle.

FAQ

  • The Vectus® Laser can remove hair from many areas including the face, back, chest, arm, underarm, bikini, and legs.

  • The Vectus® Laser can be safely used on all skin types from very light skin to very dark skin. It is best if the hair is black or brown, however, your provider will determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure based on a variety of factors.

  • Since our hair grows in different phases it’s not possible for any laser treatment to achieve 100% hair removal, but it is possible to significantly reduce the number of growing hairs by as much as 85%. Multiple treatments can be administered for maximum results.

  • Hair removal is permanent. Hair follicles in the anagen phase, or growth phase, are targeted by the laser. After treatment, those follicles are permanently unable to produce new hairs, or can produce only very thin, tiny hairs that are virtually invisible. There are rare cases when individuals due to hormones may need to come back for additional treatments.

  • Laser hair removal is effective on individuals with dark hair anywhere on their face or body. Individuals with very light or gray hair are not ideal candidates. Any skin color can be treated, as the laser is effective on light and dark skin types. Speak with one of our provider to discuss if you are a good candidate.

  • Most people feel only a slight “snap” like a rubber band at the treatment site during the procedure. You will also feel cooling on your skin as the handpiece guides over the treatment area.

  • Since your hair grows in three stages, several treatments are needed to affect all of the unwanted hair. The number of treatments can vary between individuals, depending on the amount of hair, the area to be treated, skin color, hair color and hair coarseness. Typically 10 – 13 treatments are needed but this will depend on a number of factors. One of our providers can give you a more specific treatment plan during your consultation.

  • It depends on which area is getting treated. In general, face, underarms, arms, and bikini are approximately 4-6 weeks apart. Back, chest, and legs are approximately 8-10 weeks apart.

  • Treatment costs vary depending on the size of the area to be treated.

  • The laser emits powerful light energy that targets and heats hair follicles. After treatment, the follicles are permanently unable to produce new hairs, or can produce only very thin, tiny hairs that are virtually invisible.

  • Yes. In fact, the area needs to be freshly shaved before your treatment session. However, you should not wax or pluck the hair between treatment sessions.

  • You can resume regular daily activities immediately following treatment.

  • Typically, most people experience a mild, sunburn-like sensation, possibly accompanied by some minor redness and/or swelling immediately following the treatment. This usually lasts 2-24 hours. We will discuss any other possible side effects and the necessary post- treatment care with you during the consultation.

    *Adequate hair removal typically requires 4-6 laser treatments 4-6 weeks apart.