It is important to us that you understand our laser hair removal procedures. We would like to share with you some of the common questions and answers our clients have had about laser hair removal and laser hair removal procedures.

Q: Is laser hair removal it permanent?
Laser hair removal treatment results may vary among patients. The CoolGlide® is cleared by the FDA for Permanent Hair Reduction. The FDA defines permanent hair reduction as the long term, stable reduction in the number hairs re-growing after a treatment regime.

Q: How does the CoolGlide laser treatment compare with other hair removal methods?
Shaving, waxing and depilatory creams provide temporary results. These treatments must be repeated frequently. Electrolysis is tedious, invasive and often painful. It involves inserting a needle into each hair follicle and delivering an electrical charge to destroy them one at a time. Electrolysis often also requires years of treatments at regular intervals. The CoolGlide laser hair removal treatment delivers noninvasive laser light energy to hundreds of hair follicles at one time. In just a few minutes the CoolGlide laser hair removal procedure can effectively treat an area that would take over an hour with electrolysis.

Q: How does a laser work?
Energy from a power source is pumped into the “lasing medium” - a substance that produces light particles when energized. A laser produces an intense and concentrated beam of light. This beam of light brings energy to the area of treatment through a delivery device such as a handpiece.

Q: How does the CoolGlide hair removal laser work?
The CoolGlide laser hair removal system generates intense, long-pulse Nd:YAG light through a handpiece, which effectively disables unwanted pigmented hair follicles, impairing their growth. The laser’s chilled handpiece is placed gently on the skin and glides along as pulses of light are delivered from the laser. When the light penetrates the skin, it selectively damages the root of unwanted hair.

Q: Is laser treatment safe?
Lasers have been in existence for more than thirty-five years and are used by a wide range of medical specialists. Since only light is used to remove hair it is totally non-invasive, therefore it does not cause some of the irritations typically found with other hair removal methods.

Q: What are the CoolGlide laser treatments like?
The CoolGlide handpiece, as the name implies, cools and soothes the skin as it glides along the treatment area. When the pulse light is delivered, some patients experience a mild, stinging or pinching sensation. No local anesthesia or pain medication is usually required. Some patients prefer a topical anesthetic when sensitive areas are treated. Because the CoolGlide incorporates a large spot size and a high rate of energy delivery, treatments are extremely fast and effective.

Q: Are there any side effects?
Short-term side effects include slight reddening of the skin or local swelling. These effects typically are transient.

Q: How long does the treatment take and how many treatments are required?
The length of treatment and number of treatments required depends on the area the patient wishes to have treated, the hair density and their hair’s growth cycle. Many factors influence hair growth cycle such as age, weight, ethnicity, hormones, diet, medication and metabolism.

Q: Can all skin types/colors be treated safely with the CoolGlide system?
The CoolGlide laser has an advantage over other laser hair removal systems because it allows treatment of all skin types, including tanned patients.

Q: What is the cost of a CoolGlide laser hair removal treatment?
Price will vary depending upon area of treatment and specific approach that will be used. A consultation with the doctor is the best and only way to determine how may treatments will be required and cost of treatment.

To schedule a consultation or an appointment at the Reston or Arlington office, please call 703-668-9499. You may also send an email to us using the form below: