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Laser Hair Reduction: What You Need to Know to Prepare For Successful Treatment

Tuesday, November 1st, 2022

Preparing for your Laser Hair Reduction treatment at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center isn’t too complicated but here is an example of a few important steps you might be asked to follow prior to your laser hair reduction treatment:

 

6 Weeks Prior To Treatment:

Discontinue other hair reduction treatments like waxing, epilation or plucking. It is okay to continue to shave until the day before your treatment.

 

4 Weeks Prior To Your First Treatment:

Avoid sun exposure, tanning and self-tanning products, basically stop anything that can darken the color of your skin. You will also need to avoid sun exposure, tanning or self-tanning products 30 days before and after each consecutive treatment session. Remember increasing pigment in your skin can increase your chances for skin injury because the laser seeks pigment (color) and cannot tell the difference between hair and skin.

 

7 Days Prior To Your Treatment:

Review the treatment instruction sheet your received at your consultation. Call the office to clarify any concerns or questions you may have.

•Medications: Some medications can interfere with your hair reduction treatments or increase your risks for side effects. While most medications will not have to be discontinued before your treatments, it is very important that you inform the Doctor and laser operator about all of the medications you are taking or have taken in the last 30 days. If you are taking a medication that needs to be stopped prior to your treatment, you will be notified during your consultation along with the date it will need to be paused.

•Stop all topical Vitamin A (retinoids) products such as Retin-A, retinol or tretinol in the areas being treated.

•Stop all AHA’s & BHA’s, or scrubsor other exfoliants in the treatment area.

 

Please notify us if you being taking medications such as:

  • Photo-sensitive medications
  • Birth control
  • Vitamin A – topical (Retin-A, retinol, retinoic acid, tretinol, tretinoin…)
  • Hormone medications
  • Acne medications
  • Steroids
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs

 

1-2 Days Before Each Treatment:

You will want to shave the areas to be treated 1-2 days prior to your treatment. I will want to see just a little stubble on the day of treatment, not long hairs.  Long hairs will create more discomfort and could increase your chances for skin injury.

 

On The Day Of Treatment:

•Arrive with clean skin, free of lotions or perfumes. Remember to inform your laser operator of any chances in mediations, or skin changes or concerns prior to your treatment.

•If you have had any form of UV exposure in the last 30 days, please call to reschedule your treatment.

 

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist

G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

Laser Hair Reduction: Is It Really Worth Your Time and Money?

Tuesday, October 25th, 2022

 

Laser Hair Reduction is an investment, an investment in both time and money.  But if living your best life includes slipping into your swimsuit with smooth, stubble-free skin  or being able to shirtless with out feeling conscientious about back hair, then Laser hair reduction might be an investment in yourself that is worth making.

The laser targets the melanin (dark pigment) in the hair shaft.  The melanin absorbs the light energy, heats up the hair structure and damages or destroys the follicular stem cells which rescinds the follicle’s ability to reproduce hair. It is important to recognize that not all follicles produce hair at the same time. Hair grows in cycles; some follicles are in an active growth stage (antagen stage), while others are in a dormant or sleeping stage (Talogen stage), and yet others are in an in-between or transition stage (catagen stage). Dormant hair will not be affected by the treatment because hair / pigment must be present to transfer the energy to the follicle to destroy it.

What does all this mean? It means that Laser Hair Reduction is not a one & done type treatment.  Since only the hairs in a growing stage can be successfully treated, multiple treatments are needed to treat each follicle in its growth stage.  The length of growth cycles are different in different areas of the body.  For example, a growth cycle for the upper lip, chin, bikini, or underarm areas is usually every 6-8 weeks but the growth cycle for legs is more like 12-14 weeks. So, you should plan on investing several months times into meeting your hair free goals.

Patients often ask if laser hair reduction is painful.  The answer is yes, it can be mildly uncomfortable, but still tolerable.  I would say it’s more uncomfortable than plucking but less painful than waxing. Some areas are more uncomfortable than others.  Areas like the face, shoulders and legs tend to be more comfortable than say the bikini line where the hair tends to be denser and more course. The good news is we can apply a topical numbing ointment to help make it more comfortable in those sensitive areas like the bikini line or underarms.  The first treatment is typically the most uncomfortable, and it tends to get better with each treatment as there is less target for the laser to go after and the hair grows in softer, lighter in color and less course.

With all that being said, I think Laser Hair Reduction is a total game changer!  It is certainly one of the best things I have done for myself!  I no longer battle shaving bumps in the areas I have treated. Not being a slave to shaving is quite liberating!  I would much rather spend my time doing things that DO NOT include that shaving.  As far as the financial investment, when I look at what I have saved by not buying razors and replacement heads not to mention wasting less water in the shower, I believe the financial investment is easily justified.

 

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

Questions About Laser Hair Reduction? Get Your Answers Straight From Our Expert!

Monday, April 25th, 2022

 

What You Need To Know About Laser Hair Reduction:

 

What Is Laser Hair Reduction?

Laser Hair Reduction is a state-of-the-art, long-lasting, safe and effective treatment used to reduce the amount of unwanted hair you have. The goal is to destroy the hair follicle, specifically the area region called the bulge because that is where the stem cells of the hair are located.

 

How Does It Work?

The laser light seeks out the pigmented cells located in the hair follicles. The laser light is absorbed and heats the hair structures which damages existing hairs and disrupts the follicle’s ability to produce hair in the future.

 

Who Should Consider Having Laser Hair Removal Treatments?

  • Those who develop skin irritation or bumps after shaving
  • Those who have area(s) of excessive or course unwanted hair growth
  • Those who are frustrated by the amount of time they spend shaving, waxing, bleaching or plucking unwanted hair
  • Those who have a desire to leave their razor at home when vacationing or spending a week at the beach, free of embarrassing shaving bumps or skin irritations

 

Who Are The Best Candidates For Laser Hair Reduction?

Individuals with dark hair and lighter skin are the best candidates for Laser Hair Reduction.  Since hair reduction lasers seek out pigment, your hair must be darker than the pigment in your skin because lasers are not smart enough to distinguish the difference between hair and skin.  When you have more pigment in your hair than in your skin, the laser is able to focus in on its target and send the light energy to the hair follicle instead of targeting the skin which also has pigment.

 

Will Laser Hair Reduction Treatment Still Work On My Blonde Hair?

In a nutshell; no. If the hair you want treated lacks dark pigment, whether it is as blonde, red, grey or white, laser treatments will not be effective, as again, the hair must contain dark pigment for the laser to successfully seek and destroy the hair structures.

 

Which Areas Can Laser Hair Reduction Treat?

Typically, Laser Hair reduction can be used to treat hair anywhere on the body. The most popular locations for women are the face, underarms, bikini area and lower legs.  The most popular locations for men are the back, neck, shoulders and upper arms.  This treatment can provide significant improvement for those who suffer with ingrown hairs (follicular barbi) or irritated skin or bumps after shaving.

 

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

It depends on several variables such as your skin type, area being treated, hair color, and the percentage of hair follicles that are in the Anagen stage (growing stage) at the time of treatment.   It’s important to understand that hair reduction is a process.  It is not a one-time treatment, though it can provide very satisfying results.  Not all hair follicles are producing hair at the same time.  There are three different cycles; Anagen (growing stage), Telogen (dormant stage) and Catagen (the stage in between Anagen and Telogen).  Only the hair follicles in the Anagen stage are disrupted by the hair reduction treatments. A very high number of follicles are in the Telogen stage where there are no hair / pigmented cells present to treat.  Because of the changing growth cycles, it will require several treatments to assure that we are treating each Anagen hair growth cycle.   Depending on the body location, this typically means 6-10 treatments.

 

How Often Will I Need A Treatment?

This depends on the body part being treated.  Hair grows in different areas of the body in a stochastic (probable behavior) cycle of hair growth. In

general, we would treat the face, underarms or bikini area about every 6 weeks.  The back, shoulders, upper arms every 8-10 weeks, and the legs every 12 -14 weeks until we have treated each cycle.

 

Where Are The Treatments Performed?

Hair reduction is performed in the privacy and comfort of our skincare & laser suite at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center.

 

Does It Hurt?

Most patients find this procedure to be easily tolerated.  Most patients describe the procedure as feeling prickly or like a quick, hot rubber band snap.

 

What Is Recovery Like?

Some patients experience a mild sunburn sensation for about an hour after the procedure, though that sensation could last longer.  Your skin may appear red, pink or mildly swollen for 48-72 hours.  You are able to return back to normal daily activities immediately following your procedure. Avoid hot water, steam and high aerobics  until redness is gone and skin sensation is back to normal, typically 2-4 days.

 

How Can I Find Out More Information or Discover If I Am A Good Candidate For Laser Hair Reduction?

Call our office at 217-359-7508 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Castillo or Roxanne.  During your consultation, we will be able to determine if you are a good candidate, discuss expectations and walk you through pre & post treatment instructions. We will answer any additional questions you may have to help you determine if this treatment is right for you.

 

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

How Can A Consultation For Laser Hair Removal Benefit Me?

Monday, April 11th, 2022

 

 What You Can Expect at Your Consultation for Laser Hair Reduction:

I think it’s important to keep in mind that having laser hair reduction is a real treatment. It’s not the same as walking into a salon, choosing your hair dye color and walking out with a new look all in one visit.  Anytime you are considering a laser treatment whether it is Laser Hair Reduction, a Photo-facial laser treatment, or laser resurfacing, I would recommend choosing a facility with a a board-certified cosmetic surgeon or facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon.  This is important because while complications are not common, they can happen.  You want to be sure that even with the smallest of complications, there is a specially trained provider available to treat you should a complication occur.

 

The Consultation:

Don’t underestimate the importance of a consultation.  Scheduling a consultation is the first step to smooth, hair-free skin and it is the key to a successful Laser Hair Reduction experience. Every so often an individual will inquire about Laser procedures who expresses their unhappiness with having to go through a consultation prior to scheduling their laser treatment. Let me just say that ALL reputable facilities will REQUIRE a consultation prior to your treatment. If you can walk in and have a laser hair reduction treatment, that is a big red flag.

You will meet with me, the skincare and laser specialist for G.D. Castillo, MD.  Your appointment will last about 45 minutes depending on the number of questions you have.

 

What Will We Talk About?

Roxanne, Skincare & Laser Specialist

We will begin by discussing your initial hair reduction goals.  I will ask you to show me the area(s) of hair you would like treated. I will ask some questions about your health history, lifestyle, sun habits and medications. I will ask you about any skin conditions, auto-immune disorders and whether you are prone to scarring. I will explain what Laser Hair Reduction is, how it works, how many treatments you should expect and who makes the best candidates. We will talk about the benefits, risks, other options to treat unwanted hair. We will discuss the steps you will need to do follow to prepare for your treatments and what to expect after each treatment.

 

Bring Your List of Questions:

You will have time to ask questions.  Don’t be shy, it’s important that you get all your questions answered because this is your chance to gather the information you will need to decide if Laser Hair Reduction is right for you.

 

Finally, you will receive a written quotation for the cost of the treatments and a reminder sheet containing general information on the procedure, expectations, pre & post care. If you decide you would like to move forward with treatment, you will be scheduled for a quick appointment (no charge) with Dr. Castillo to clear you for treatment.

If would like more information regarding the treatment options for unwanted body hair, please call the office to schedule your consultation!

 

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

New Exclusive & Informative Interview with Skin & Laser Specialist, Roxanne – Question #3

Tuesday, September 15th, 2015

Question: Why do people come to the skin rejuvenation suite at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery?

Roxanne: “Most men and women, even teens simply want to become a better version of themselves.

  • They may have a special occasion coming up like a wedding, vacation or new job.
  • Some are seeking one of our signature facials or microdermabrasion to relief stress and brighten their appearance while others are working on self-improvement with chemical peels, hair reduction or vein therapy.“
  • In January of this year, to support the services that the skin rejuvenation suite offers, Dr. Castillo introduced his own medical-grade skincare line called Castillo MD Skin Science.  It has been very well received by our patients and our staff.
  • The new skincare line has been a huge success and the results speak for themselves! This has brought a new sector of patients to us who are simply tired of being disappointed by empty promises made by over-the-counter skincare product lines. Trial sizes are available for most of the products so patients can try them out before purchasing a full size product. It is a nice benefit for the patient and they come back so excited, bursting with compliments about the skincare products they tried. As I always say, “you don’t need a cabinet full of skincare products, just the right products and knowledge to know the difference!”Microdermabrasion ScrubIMG_2054

Lush Simplicity Kit

New Exclusive & Informative Interview with Skincare & Laser Specialist, Roxanne – Question #1

Thursday, July 23rd, 2015

Question: How has the skin rejuvenation suite at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center sustained its success over the past 25 years?

Roxanne: “We are fortunate enough that the Skin Rejuvenation Suite has a wonderful, well- respected, word-of-mouth reputation I would imagine is due to many factors:”

  • 1. “Our focus at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center has always been about providing the best possible experience for each patient, every time. The nature of our services allows us to make deep connections with our patients as we guide them through their journey both surgically and non-surgically.”
  • 2. “We are a state-of-the art facility with a physician / cosmetic plastic surgeon who has over 30 years experienceCosmetic Plastic Surgery 9/11/12e in this field and as a staff, we all benefit from working under his direction. Dr. Castillo has created a well-oiled, professional, educated team of caring individuals, simply making us good at what we do, whether it is plastic surgery, Botox or skin rejuvenation. “
  • 3. “We do not work on commission. This means it’s a relaxed environment not only for the staff but for our patients as well. If there is a service that a patient is interested in, we tell them about it but our patients are never pressured to do anything. I believe this is yet another reason why patients refer others to us. Who would want to refer a friend to an office that is willing to pressure their friend into anything?” You will never find that kind of mentality or leadership here.
  • 4. “We are not interested in offering every new fad that comes along. We are interested ONLY in offering our patients the highest-quality skin rejuvenation and skincare product regimens that offer real improvements. Essentially, we are all results oriented perfectionists here and we want what our patients want; the best results possible!”

 

 

 

 

Laser Hair Reduction

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

 

Roxanne, Skincare & Laser Specialist

HAIR REDUCTION

 

What is laser hair reduction and how does it work?

Imagine never having to shave, wax, bleach or pluck again!  Feel relieved just thinking about it? Imagine the amount of time you could save and painful skin irritations that could be prevented with the simple flash of a light.  Imagine spending a week at the beach and being able to leave your razor at home; no embarrassing shaving bumps or rashes, no vacation time spent grooming or griping onto the edge of the waxing table in pain while paying someone to rip the waxing cloth away from skin.

At Cosmetic Plastic Surgery,  we utilize a very safe, effective technology called IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) .  IPL uses highly controlled flashes of light that are selectively absorbed by hair follicles lying below the surface of the skin.  The light energy damages the hair follicle, which disrupts the follicles ability to produce hair.  More advanced systems such as ours, allow us to customize your treatment according to your skin type, hair type and body location.

Laser Hair reduction be used on any body part.  The most popular locations for women are the face, underarms, bikini area and legs.  The most popular locations for men are the back, neck, shoulders and upper arms.  This treatment can provide significant improvement for those who suffer with ingrown hairs (follicular barbi)

How many treatments will I need?

It depends on several variables such as your skin type, hair color, and the percentage of hair follicles that are in the Anagen stage (growing stage) at the time of treatment.   It’s important to understand that hair reduction is a process.  It is not a one-time treatment, though it can provide very satisfying results.  Not all hair follicles are producing hair at the same time.  There are three different cycles; Anagen (growing stage), Telogen (dormant stage) and Catagen (the stage in between Anagen and Telogen).  Only the hair follicles in the Anagen stage are disrupted by the hair reduction treatments. A very high number of follicles are in the Telogen stage where there is no hair present to treat.  Because of this growth cycle, it will require several treatments to assure that we are treating each Anagen hair growth cycle.   Depending on the body location, this typically means 6-12 treatments.

How often will I need a treatment?

This depends on the body part being treated.  Hair grows in different areas of the body in a stochastic (probable behavior) process. In general we would treat the face, underarms or bikini area once every 6 weeks.  The back, shoulders, upper arms once every 8-10 weeks, and the legs once every 12 -14 weeks.

Where are the treatments performed?

Hair reduction is performed in the privacy and comfort of our skin restoration and laser suite.

Does it hurt?

Most patients find this procedure to be easily tolerated.  Most patients describe the procedure as feeling prickly or like a quick rubber band snap.

What is recovery like?

Some patients experience a mild sunburn sensation for about an hour after the procedure.  Your skin may appear red, pink or mildly swollen for 48-72 hours.  You are able to return back to normal daily activities immediately following your procedure. Avoid hot water, steam and high aerobics until redness is gone and skin sensation is back to normal, typically 2-4 days.

How can I find out more information or discover if I am a good candidate for hair reduction?

Call our office at 217-359-7508 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Castillo or Roxanne.  During your consultation, it will be determined if you are a good candidate and we can answer any additional questions you may have at that time.

 

Roxanne, Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Surgery Center

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)