Dr. John D. Stover DDS, MD, PhD
TRIPLE BOARD CERTIFIED:
Diplomate, American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
Diplomate, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Diplomate, National Board of Dental Anesthesiology
Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii
Most comprehensive cosmetic surgical procedures in Hawaii
LASER TREATMENTS
Laser Hair Removal
Safely remove unwanted hair from any part of your body without the discomfort of shaving, waxing, tweezing, or electrolysis!
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a safe, non-invasive way to remove unwanted hair from any part of the body. At Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii, we use the state-of-the-art lasers called Cutera CoolGlide™, along with the Lumenis Lightsheer Duet for larger areas. We find that these lasers are superior to the traditional IPL lasers. In just a few treatment sessions, you can greatly improve the appearance of skin with unwanted hair.
These lasers generate a pulse of intense, concentrated light directed through a small, cooled hand piece that is gently applied to the treatment area. This laser energy passes through the skin and safely destroys the hair follicle without damaging your skin. It can even treat ingrown hairs that have not yet reached the surface of the skin.
Hair removal methods like plucking, waxing, or sugaring cause irritation and may actually stimulate hair growth. Electrolysis can be a tedious process and is a difficult undertaking for some patients. Even a small area like the face can require electrolysis for two or three hours per week for a period of two years. This is because electrolysis must be performed on one hair at a time. Our laser hair removal methods use a wide beam which treats many hairs at once. This makes it possible to treat larger areas such as the back, shoulders, arms, legs, and face.
The unique design of these advanced lasers allows us to customize treatments according to your hair and skin color, hair texture, and location on the body. They even work on people with darker skin tones.
What Can I Expect from Laser Hair Removal?
- The laser emits only light. You may feel a tingling or snapping sensation like a rubber band. Even sensitive areas such as the breasts, upper lip, and bikini line can be treated easily with minimal irritation.
- Protective cooling gel pads are applied to your skin immediately before and after your treatment, but no anesthesia is required. A cooling gel is applied right before the laser is used.
- If you are particularly sensitive, you can take Tylenol or ibuprofen an hour or two before your procedure to minimize any discomfort.
- The length of the procedure can range from a few minutes for the upper lip to an hour or more for larger areas.
- There is no bleeding, and no open wound is created. Short-term side effects may include a slight reddening of the skin or local swelling which typically lasts less than an hour, although it may infrequently last a few days.
- The hair shafts in the treated hair follicles will fall out or be "shed" 1-3 weeks after treatment.
- Since the laser does not burn or cut the skin in any way, no bandages are necessary. You can return to work the same day and resume all regular activities.
- Avoid tanning both before and after your treatment.
- The results are often subtle at first. After four to six treatments, the total amount of hair will be reduced by 70-90%. Note that there is NO permanent hair removal method, including laser. The most realistic description of the results after laser treatment is: "long-term hair reduction."
- Any regrowth will be much finer and lighter in color, so most people are very happy with the results of laser hair removal.
If you are tired of repeated, painful hair removal methods, laser hair removal may be the answer for you.
Dr. John D. Stover is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon and a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with offices in Kona, Hilo, and Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii. He is a fellow of both the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Ms. Marné CarMichael Walsh, M.S., PA-C, a certified physician's assistant, supports Dr. Stover in diagnosing and treating a variety of skin conditions. She is board certified by the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Hawaii Association for Physician Assistants. The Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii offer the most extensive variety of non-invasive cosmetic treatments in the state.
