Laser hair removal

Laser hair removal reduces unwanted hair on the face and body for a long time. The laser light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair and converted into heat, which destroys the hair follicle. At Medest, the procedure is performed with two lasers, Candela GentleLase Pro and DEKA, for both women and men.

Who it is for

• those who are tired of shaving, waxing, and sugaring and want to think about hair removal less often;
• ingrown hairs and irritation after shaving;
• women: face, underarms, arms, legs, bikini area, abdomen, back, buttocks, and other areas;
• men: back and shoulders, chest, abdomen, neck and nape, cheekbones and beard line, ears, bikini area;
• excessive hair growth, after a consultation: if the cause may be hormonal, the doctor will recommend an evaluation.

How the laser works and which devices we use

The laser targets melanin, the dark pigment in hair. Melanin absorbs the energy of the beam, which turns into heat and damages the follicle and the blood vessels that feed it. With correctly selected settings, the surrounding skin is not harmed. This is why the laser works best on dark hair. Blond, red, and gray hair contain almost no pigment, so electrolysis hair removal is usually the better option for them.

The laser only affects hair that is actively growing at the time. Some follicles are “dormant” during the procedure and will become active later, so it is not possible to remove all hair in one session, and a course is needed.

• Candela GentleLase Pro — a laser by the American brand Candela.
• DEKA — laser equipment by the Italian brand DEKA.

In the price list, areas are divided by device and listed separately for women and men. For the deep bikini area, there is a combined treatment with two lasers, DEKA and Candela. The doctor decides which device suits your skin and hair at the consultation, taking into account your skin phototype and the color and thickness of your hair.

How the procedure works

Before the course, you have a consultation: the doctor examines the skin and hair in the treatment area, checks for contraindications and any medications you take, and, if necessary, performs a test treatment on a small patch of skin.

The area needs to be shaved before the procedure: there should be no hair on the surface of the skin, but it must remain in the follicle. During treatment, both you and the doctor wear protective goggles. With each pulse, you feel warmth, tingling, or a brief snapping sensation; the bikini area, underarms, and upper lip are usually more sensitive. After the procedure, redness and slight swelling around the hairs are possible, and they usually pass quickly.

How many sessions you need and when results appear

Treated hairs fall out gradually, and new ones from “awakened” follicles grow in later, so hair removal is done as a course with intervals between sessions. The doctor determines the number of sessions and the interval between them at the consultation; they depend on the area, the color and thickness of your hair, your skin type, and your hormonal background. Facial hair usually grows faster than body hair. Over time, maintenance sessions are sometimes needed.

Who performs it

Narine Felixovna Karapetyan is a dermatologist and trichologist with 10 years of experience. She graduated from Mkhitar Heratsi Yerevan State Medical University and is a certified Candela specialist. As a dermatologist, she looks not only at the hair but also at the skin: she will assess any spots and moles in the treatment area and let you know if a separate examination is needed first.

How to prepare

• do not sunbathe or use a tanning bed before the procedure and during the course, and do not use self-tanner;
• for several weeks before and during the course, do not pluck, wax, or sugar; shaving only;
• shave the area the day before or on the day of the procedure;
• on the day of the procedure, do not apply cream, deodorant, or perfume to the area;
• tell the doctor about any medications you take, as some increase the skin’s sensitivity to light.

Learn more in our articles: can you have laser hair removal in summer, laser hair removal after a tan, and ingrown hairs and irritation after shaving.