Laser Hair Removal

Laser Hair Removal ... The Power of Elos™ for the entire body!

Finally, effective, fast hair removal for everyone!  Elos™ Technology is the first and only technology that effectively removes hair of all colors. The Emax is the fastest way to remove unwanted hair on most colors of skin, including tanned skin, with exceptional results. And with its large spot size and fast pulse rate, there is no hair removal technology that can beat the Emax’s speed. Imagine legs, backs, arms and all large body zones, treated in half the time! Simply put, the Emax is proven to be the safest, fastest, most effective hair removal solution for the superior results that you deserve.

Cost | Before & After Photos | Precautions | Pre-Treatment

Post-Treatment | Skin Types | FREE Consultation | Video

Throw away your razor in 2007!
Package pricing is for life.
No additional costs for touchups.
Hopkins Clinic is a physician’s office, not a spa.
You deserve the best.
Call us today. (727) 544 - 3330

Choosing a solution for hair removal was once a confusing and difficult decision. Many methods and technologies promise the best results but most fall short. Elos™ Technology has changed everything to prove to be the safest, most effective and comfortable solution for the superior results you demand.

So if you have experienced Laser Hair Removal before and found it too painful and/or ineffective, please consider trying it again. We are confident you will be extremely impressed and happy with the superior results that you will achieve.

Be careful when you are shopping for laser hair reduction treatment using price as your only comparison variable. Remember, you usually get what you pay for. The success of your hair reduction treatment is dependent upon many variables to include your individual skin and hair type, the quality of the equipment used and the skill of the equipment operator. If appropriate assessment of you as a patient, accurate machine settings and appropriate technique are applied, you will obtain very good results. It is very important for the patient to closely follow all the pre and post treatment instructions as well. Incorrect evaluation, sloppy technique, hurried treatment and incorrect laser settings will result in limited hair reduction and dissatisfaction. At Hopkins Clinic, highly trained clinicians under the direct supervision of physicians will provide you with the results you are seeking. Call for your free consultation appointment now at (727) 544-3330.

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Laser Hair Removal Before and After Photos

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Hair Removal Costs

Single session prices are listed below followed by the Package price. The package price covers treatment until you are "clear of hair" in the area treated or satisfied with your improvement of hair reduction. This package includes up to 10 sessions.

Please be sure to ask for special package prices for combining multiple areas during your complimentary consultation.

If pretreatment shaving is required, and preparatory shaving charge of 10% of the single treatment price for the area will be charged.

Prices listed on this website are subject to change at any time. A written quote is provided to all patients at the time of your consultation in the office. This quote remains in effect for 30 days from the date the quote is written.

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Laser Hair Removal Patient Precautions: Medications & Medical Conditions

Laser hair removal is generally safe and effective, but this is highly dependent on operator knowledge and experience. There are medical conditions and medications which preclude a patient from getting laser hair removal done safely. Medical histories and medication histories should be taken at the initial consult and evaluated by a trained and experienced physician. Many consumer advocate groups feel anyone other than a physician is not qualified to assess medical and medication histories.

Some medical conditions are not absolutely contraindicated, but must be approached with caution. These conditions especially require the knowledge and experience of a trained physician because there is not an absolute answer on whether or not it is safe to treat. For example, patients with psoriasis, vitiligo, history of keloids, bleeding disorders, and history of severe histamine reactions must be thoroughly evaluated before a decision can be made. Even some medications are contraindicated, but some are dependent on the dose and time the last dose was taken. Some common medications that may cause controversy and require the evaluation of an experienced physician include certain antibiotics (especially those of the tetracycline and sulfa classes), common over-the-counter analgesics (such as ibuprofen), and also steroids. There are many medications that cause increased photosensitivity, but they are not all absolutely contraindicated in laser hair removal.

Medical conditions and medications that are absolutely contraindicated should be easy guidelines to follow, but reports of inexperienced operators treating people with these conditions still continue. Laser hair removal is contraindicated over skin that is not intact or infectious. This includes surgical procedures. Waiting periods are even needed for skin that has undergone chemical peels, laser resurfacing, and even sunburns. Laser hair removal over tattoos is contraindicated. The most common medication that is absolutely contraindicated is Accutane, an oral acne medication. At least 6 months is needed before laser hair removal can be performed. Some topical acne medications may also cause photosensitivity, but waiting periods vary for each and require the experience and knowledge of a trained physician.

Consumers seeking laser hair removal should let the operator know about all of their medications and medical conditions. Consumers should also seek an experienced and knowledgeable physician who will be able to use this information and use proper judgment to assess each situation individually.

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Laser Hair Removal Pre-Treatment

The effectiveness of laser hair removal is highly dependent on patient cooperation. There are many things a patient can inadvertently do to decrease either the safety or effectiveness of their treatment. It is, therefore, imperative to follow directions by the provider.

Tanning is one of the biggest factors. Most practitioners believe it is the single most important act that patients do to decrease the effectiveness of their treatment. Although a practitioner may advertise for and even have a laser that is able to treat tanned individuals, the laser may not always be the ideal laser for an individual’s hair type. These lasers usually have a longer wavelength and are much better at treating coarse hair than fine hair. If the practitioner has evaluated the area and decided the best laser to use would be one where tanning should be avoided, this is usually much heeded advice. Tanning should be avoided for 4-6 weeks prior to treatment if one of these lasers is to be used. Self-tanning creams and sprays need to completely fade also. During the course of treatment, if a patient is exposed to sun, sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 applied as a thick layer 20 minutes before sun exposure is recommended.

The hair needs to be in the follicle at the time of treatment. Lasers target the pigment melanin in the hair beneath the surface of the skin. Because of this, patients should not wax, tweeze, bleach, thread, or use depilatory agents for 4 weeks prior to treatment. If facial hair is being treated, usually avoidance of these methods for only 2 weeks is necessary because facial hair grows faster. If a form of hair removal is necessary, shaving or clipping can be done because these methods allow the hair to stay in the follicle. It is usually advisable to see some hair growth on the day of treatment.

Lotions, creams, makeup, and deodorant are removed before treatment as well. These can obstruct or refract laser light negatively.

Patient cooperation is essential for the success of laser hair removal.

Patients need to follow explicit directions with regards to tanning, other hair removal methods, and topical agents.

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Laser Hair Removal Post-Treatment

Although pre-treatment instructions are probably more important for a patient to follow in order to ensure safe and effective results, most patients concern themselves more with post-treatment care. Below is a list of post-treatment instructions.

1) Immediately after treatment, there should be mild redness and swelling at the treatment site, which may last up to 2 hours or longer. The redness may last up to 2-3 days. The treated area will feel like a sunburn. Apply ice in 15-20 minute intervals for first few hours after treatment to reduce any discomfort or swelling. If redness or swelling persists, ice can be continued in 15 minute intervals 3-4 times a day for 3 days.

2) Makeup may be used immediately after the treatment unless there is blistering.

3) Avoid sun exposure until skin has returned to its normal baseline (no redness or swelling).

4) Avoid picking or scratching the treated skin. Do not use any other hair removal treatment products or services (waxing, electrolysis or tweezing) that will disturb the hair follicle in the treatment area.

5) Wash the treated area and pat dry for 3 days after treatment. Do not scrub.

6) Start gently scrubbing treated area on the 4th day (ex-foliate).

7) Anywhere from 5-20 days after the treatment, shedding of the surface hair may occur and this appears as new hair growth. This is not new hair growth.

8) At 1 week post treatment, attempt to pull hairs out gently. If the hair comes out, as if unattached to the skin, proceed to pull out the hairs. Otherwise, wait 2 to 3 days and try again for up to 3 weeks.

9) For 2 to 3 weeks after treatment, ideally avoid shaving the shedding hair, although if absolutely necessary, gently touch hair with razor. Shaving can be performed on newly growing hair.

10) After the underarms are treated, ideally use a powder instead of deodorant for 24 hours after the treatment to reduce skin irritation.

11) There are no restrictions on bathing except to treat the skin gently, as if you had a sunburn, for the first 24 hours.

12) Use post-laser lotion (if available) twice a day for 3 days.

At the next visit, it is important for the patient to let the practitioner know how long the redness lasted after treatment and when significant hair growth was noticed in the area. This info will allow the practitioner to individualize treatments to achieve the desired results.

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Fitzpatrick Skin Types

More than 35% of the U.S. is comprised of non-Caucasians. This includes Hispanics, African-Americans, Asians, and Native Americans. There are several different methods of classifying these different skin types, but the most common is the Fitzpatrick Phototype. The Fitzpatrick method takes into account not only the color of unexposed skin, but also sensitivity to light and sunburn and tanning history. More elaborate Fitzpatrick scales also take into account presence of freckles, hair and eye color. The following chart is a good guide regardless of race for the purpose of laser hair removal. 

The reason that certain races have darker skin colors is due to the fact that melanosomes are larger and show a higher degree of melanization. There is also a greater production of melanosomes in melanocytes and a higher degree of dispersion in the keratinocytes. There is also a slower rate of degradation. These factors are usually dependent on heredity and racial factors. The combination of these factors can be the reason we see varied skin tones among the same race. In terms of laser hair removal, darker skin types will need longer wavelengths for better safety. Longer wavelength lasers such as the diode laser mean less scatter in skin and deeper penetrations. The hair bulb can be as low as 7mm in depth. These lasers target deeper hair very effectively, but are not as effective for the finer, closer to the surface hair. Melanin is found in the hair bulb, shaft, outer root sheath, and also the dermal-epidermal junction.

Click here for comments from the FDA on Hair removal: FDA

FREE Consultation

For a FREE no obligation consultation or for more information please contact Hopkins Clinic at 727-544-3330 today.

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