What you need to know about laser hair removal
Laser hair removal destroys hair bulbs by photothermolysis, without anesthesia.
The duration of a session varies according to the area, and several areas can be treated in a single session. An average of 8 to 10 sessions, spaced 8 to 10 weeks apart depending on the area, is required to achieve the desired result. As the laser is attracted by pigment, it is not very effective on gray, blond and red hairs, which are poorly pigmented, and totally ineffective on white hairs.
For darker skin types (phototype 5 & 6), the melanin in the skin competes with the melanin in the hair, so the risks to the skin contraindicate treatment.
Clinique du Lac uses several types of laser. Depending on the patient, some lasers are more appropriate than others, and the parameters must be perfectly mastered. We offer the alexandrite laser, which is more active on fair skin, and the Nd-YAG laser, which can be used to treat pigmented skin.
Personalized assessment
To determine the most appropriate treatment, an initial consultation is recommended.
The aim is to analyze your needs and draw up a customized treatment plan.
Precautions and contraindications
Please note: During a preliminary interview, all explanations are given, an estimate is drawn up and before any treatment session, a test is obligatory, at least 48 hours beforehand.
- Depending on your phototype, you'll need to wait a variable amount of time after your last exposure to the sun or a tanning salon before you can begin treatments. Your skin must be as light as possible, as the laser cannot distinguish between the melanin in tanned skin and that in hair. Self-tanning creams are not recommended.
- Certain medications (anti-epileptics, antibiotics, etc.) can increase the skin's sensitivity to lasers, and cause burns at doses that are usually trivial. If you are taking any medication, please report it. Photosensitizing acne medications such as Roaccutane ® can react to laser exposure. You should therefore stop taking these medications for 1 to 2 years (depending on the duration of your treatment) before starting laser hair removal.
- Herpes simplex is stimulated by heat.
- Moles.
- As a general rule, we do not depilate pregnant or breast-feeding women.
- As a general rule, laser hair removal should be avoided in men who are too young, and in areas where hair growth is in progress.
Laser hair removal results
Except in special cases, between 6 and 8 sessions are required. It's during the hair's growth phase (anagen) that melanin levels are at their highest, making it possible to destroy it. Since not all hairs are in this phase at the same time, several sessions are necessary.
Certain areas, such as the chin, often require annual maintenance.
Patient satisfaction ratings are considered excellent. After several sessions, this method delivers truly lasting, even definitive, results. However, there are exceptions, unfortunately unpredictable and difficult to quantify and anticipate.
Care after laser hair removal
Treatment is generally well tolerated. Side effects are almost non-existent or minor at best. After the session, the appearance of the treated area varies from patient to patient, depending on the extent of the procedure and skin type.
Redness and slight edema around each follicle are clinically desirable results, indicating that the follicle has responded to the treatment. A "sunburn-like" sensation of warmth may also be observed. These phenomena last from a few minutes to a few hours. A soothing cream can be applied after the treatment.
Laser hair removal: Indicative rates per session
Package - underarms + 1/2 legs: CHF 350 per session
Package - underarms + whole legs: CHF 530 per session
Package - single bikini + 1/2 legs: CHF 350 per session
Package - low-cut bikini top + 1/2 legs: CHF 400 per session
Package - full bikini line + 1/2 legs: CHF 420 per session
Package - single bikini line + full legs: CHF 540 per session
Package - low-cut bikini line + full legs: CHF 590 per session
Package - full bikini line + full legs: CHF 620 per session
Package - underarms + bikini line: CHF 230 per session
Package - underarms + low-cut bikini line: CHF 280 per session
Package - underarms + full bikini line: CHF 310 per session
Package - underarms + bikini line + 1/2 legs: CHF 460 per session
Package - underarms + low-cut bikini line + 1/2 legs: 510 CHF per session
Package - underarms + full bikini line + 1/2 legs: CHF 550 per session
Package - underarms + bikini line + full legs: CHF 650 per session
Package - underarms + low-cut bikini line + full legs: CHF 700 per session
Package - underarms + full bikini line + full legs: CHF 730 per session
Men's package - underarms + 1/2 legs: CHF 390 per session
Men's package - underarms + whole legs: CHF 580 per session
Body - women's arms: CHF 240 per session
Body - men's arms: CHF 300 per session
Body - women's underarms: CHF 130 per session
Body - men's underarms: CHF 150 per session
Body - back + shoulders: CHF 460 per session
Body - buttocks for women: CHF 230 per session
Body - buttocks for men: CHF 300 per session
Body - subumbilical line: from CHF 50 to CHF 120 per session
Body - hands + fingers: CHF 100 per session
Body - neck or nape: CHF 130 per session
Body - breasts (aureole tour): CHF 80 per session
Legs - 1/2 legs for women: CHF 280 per session
Legs - 1/2 legs for men: CHF 310 per session
Legs - whole women: CHF 500 per session
Legs - whole men: CHF 540 per session
Women's legs - thighs: CHF 320 per session
Men's legs - thighs: CHF 370 per session
Swimsuit - single: CHF 140 per session
Bikini line - low cut: CHF 200 per session
Maillot - full (including SIF) with or without line: CHF 240 per session
SIF: CHF 90 per session
Beard line: CHF 150 per session