Laser Hair Removal - Patients ask Dr. Ringpfeil answers
Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about Laser Hair Removal or to ask Dr. Franziska Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.
Philadelphia and Mainline Center of Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery
Laser Hair Removal
Hair Removal Pricing - Price List
| P | Legs | Body | Arms (both) | Head/Face |
| r | thighs - $230 | chest - $250 | hands - $90 | cheeks - $90 |
| i | lower legs - $200 | areola (nipples) - $65 | underarms - $90 | chin & upper lip - $90 |
| c | legs & thighs - $330 | abdomen - $170 | full arms - $200 | ears - $60 |
| i | feet & toes - $100 | upper back - $200 | forearm - $120 | neck - $90 |
| n | lower back - $150 | Sholders - $170 | ||
| g | bikini lines - $120 | |||
| Brazilian bikini - $220 | ||||
| Buttocks - $200 |
What makes us your best option for hair removal?
We offer you the fastest, safest and most cost effective hair removal.
1. Better Results in Fewer Treatments
- Unlike most providers who use "a laser that treats all skin types" we have multiple lasers and we use the most effective laser for your skin type.
- Having a dermatologist on site and the experience that our staff has enable us to use the most aggressive setting for faster results without increasing risk to you.
2. Lowest Overall Cost
- Our price per treatment is among the lowest in Philadelphia, Mainline, and Delaware Valley.
- As a medical office, we do not accept tips. This saves you additional 10%-20% of the cost.
- We deliver your desired results in fewer treatments - saving you additional money (and time).
- You get our low price without the need to be locked in a multiple treatment package. You might not need all treatments.
3. Safety and Experience
- A Dermatologist is ALWAYS on site.
- Our staff has treated over 10,000 patients since 1996.
- We do not employ technicians who have trained for a weekend before seeing their first patient.
Find out what laser most suitable for your skin & hair type
We use Candela Gentle-Lase Alexandrite laser for light skin (skin type I, II, III) and Candela ND:Yag for laser hair removal for African Americans, Indians and other dark skin (skin type IV, V)
Upload a picture & schedule a FREE phone consultation
We will call you to provide pricing, #of treatments, best laser for your skin type, and more
Related treatments
Treatments: Alexandrite laser, Nd:YAG laser, diode laser, IPL, Electrolysis.
It is safe to say that all of us, some more than others, suffer from unwanted hair on our face, neck and body. This unwanted hair growth can occur due to heredity, hormonal levels, and certain drugs.
Who can benefit from Permanent Hair Removal?
Usually, hair growth is desirable; however, when the hair is on the wrong part of your body i.e. a woman's upper lip or chin as well on your hands or arms then you may be considering the help of permanent hair reduction.
There are several methods of hair reduction available, both temporary and permanent.
Temporary Hair Removal
Temporary methods of hair removal are achieved through depilation (removal of the hair above the skins surface) and epilation (removing the entire hair). Depilation refers to methods such as shaving and creams that chemically dissolve the hair. Epilation refers to methods such as tweezing and waxing. These methods remove unwanted hair for a period of a few weeks.
Permanent Hair Removal - Laser
Laser hair removal is the most effective method for permanent hair reduction. Laser hair reduction works well on dark hair in people of all skin types. On average, 20-25% of hair follicles are permanently destroyed after each laser treatment, leading to about 50-70% reduction after three treatments and about 80-90% reduction after six treatments.
The remainder of the hair then becomes finer and lighter. However the most common misconception about permanent hair reduction is that a series of laser treatments destroys all hair when in reality some hair follicles are dormant at the time of treatment and are able to produce hair at a later stage.
For near complete hair removal, periodic maintenance treatments can be performed.
Pre and Post Permanent Hair Removal Instructions
If you are planning to undergo permanent laser hair reduction, the hair must not be plucked or waxed for four weeks prior to treatment.
Once the treatment has been administered, you should avoid long periods in direct sunlight for six weeks.
Hello,
After reading many reviews and side affects of laser hair removal, I have a few questions. I am an Indian womon, I have dark dark and fair-medium skin. I am interested in laser hair removal on my chin/upper lip. The questions i have are:
1) Is hyperpigmentation common in this area? How long does it take to appear after a treatment? How long does it last? What about hypopigmentation? I have dark spots and scars from acne as a teen, so I am concerned about this issue and if i would be prone to it.
2) I have read that some women develop hair growth in the adjacent areas to the chin/lip. Why does this happen and is it common? This actually happened to my sister a few years ago.
3) I read that some women get burns from laser hair removal, but the only images i have seen were on the legs and abdomen. Can this happen on the face or chest? What is the followup if this happens?
4) lastly, what type of laser is most suitable for my skin and hair type? dark hair/fair-medium skin color.
These are the questions I thought of after I already had my consultation. Thank you!
1) Hyperpigmentation is not common on the upper lip and chin. If it occurs, it is usually visible within 5-7 days. A history of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation puts you at risk of future hyperpigmentation and we adjust our laser settings to prevent this.
2) Hair growth immediately adjacent to the treated area can occur when heat spills sideways. According to most reports, it can affect a couple of centimeters next to the treated site. The risk is highest in the Mediterranean population. I have not yet seen it other than on photos – we have not had this side effect in our practice.
3) Burns with laser treatment are even less likely than hyperpigmentation. A burn can theoretically happen anywhere on the body. Foreign material that was not removed from the skin or hair that was not trimmed are the most likely causes. As with any burn, ice should be applied immediately after a burn and kept on for 30 minutes. Sun protection, a topical steroid and fading cream is needed after that for several days and would be prescribed according to the findings by our dermatologist.
4) Nd:YAG laser.
Hello Dr.
I tried laser treatment in the past and would like to start again but because I have so much hair that grows on my neck and chin, I have to pluck every day. I cannot imagine letting the hair grow in-between treatment especially being in pubic and at work. Is there an alternative treatment in between treatment that helps with the seeing the hair that grows?
Shaving, bleaching, and depilatories are acceptable techniques to keep the hair from the surface of the skin while preserving it in the follicle where the laser can target it.
I like to know if you do nose hair? thanks
We do not remove hair on the inside of the nose. It is not accessible by laser or electrolysis.
what would be the cost for electrolysis of the back of my neck (elevate hairline)?
also, is there a current laser technology that will remove grey/white hair?
thanks
We do not perform electrolysis only on the face. Please check with a Lucy Peters Salon. They might be offering electrolysis on the back of the neck. There is no laser hair reduction for grey or white hair yet.
I have age related white/grey hair which i color. I’d like to elevate my hairline at the neck. Will this type of hair lend itself to laser removal? If not, what are my options? Thank you.
The only lasting option is electrolysis.
I am interested in laser hair removal for my bikini area. I suffer from terrible ingrown hairs, any where from 2 to 6 cysts at a time. I am fair skinned and have dark brown curly hair. I have waxed for years and it seems more recently the ingrown hairs have gotten worse! Generally how many treatments will it take and is the price listed above per treatment? Also how long in between treatments? I also noticed the list of Medical Insurance listed below, is this something that could be covered? And do you offer any financing? I am desperate for some relief and to resolve this once and for all…..Thank You!
Your description is that of pseudofolliculitis or even a mild variant of hidradenitis suppurativa. Destruction of the hair follicles through laser assisted hair removal is extremely helpful, if not curative. Most people will notice reduction in their symptoms after 1-2 treatments. It takes about 6 treatments 6-8 weeks apart to reduce 90% of the hair in the affected area. Any discoloration from repeated inflammation will resolve simultaneously while going through laser treatments. The price listed on our website is per treatment, We offer financing through Care Credit. While I believe that insurance should cover the first 3 treatments, the reality is that insurance coverage is next to impossible to obtain even with repeated appeals. Please schedule a consultation with one of our dermatologists before you start treatments if you would like to submit your receipts to your insurance. Most of our patients will use their flex spending account for these procedures.
Hi,
My daughter has been experiencing pustules under her arms. She rows which generates a lot of sweat & is often not able to shower for a while after exercising.
She has dark, course hair.
Would laser hair removal help reduce the pustules? I’m beginning to wonder if it is Hidradenitis Suppurative. She has also experienced pustules in her bikini area.
Thank you
Pustules under on the skin of the underarms suggest bacterial infection. Repeated sterile abscesses or cysts in the underarms are a sign of hidradenitis suppurativa. Laser hair removal is very helpful in hidradenitis suppurativa. Good hygiene is important to reduce bacterial infection. I recommend that she be evaluated by a dermatologist to make the proper diagnosis and discuss treatment options.
Hello,
I also wanted to inquire as to the prices for hair removals for full body parts:
How much for:
Full back? Does this include shoulders?
Full leg?
Full arm?
Back of neck?
Underarms?
Buttocks?
Brazilian Bikini? What does brazilian bikini hair removal include?
Thank you!
You find our current price list at https://www.ringpfeildermatology.com/laser-hair-removal.php
It contains all of the areas you are looking for. For upper an lower back, please combine their cost and for shoulders please add cost of shoulders to arrive at the total. Brazilian bikini refers to complete removal of hair around the genitals but does not include perianal area or buttocks.
Hi, I have a history of melanoma running in my family but would love to get laser hair removal on my legs. I am really concerned about safety; Is there a link between laser use and cancer? Thanks
Laser treatment of skin is not considered unsafe with a history of melanoma or a family history of melanoma. Laser treatment of moles is still
controversial and here in the United States is not considered safe practice due to lack of sufficient data. If any mole were in the area of laser hair removal, we would spare the mole. This would be the case regardless of melanoma history.
I am currently undergoing treatment for a keloid, first one I have ever had which was a result of a piercing on the ear, which includes getting kenalog injections. I am interested in getting laser hair removal on my face. Would this history of having a keloid or currently undergoing kenalog injections not make me a good candidate? Do I need to finish my treatment first or can I start my laser while still getting the injections?
You do not need to complete your keloid treatment before starting laser hair removal. In general, laser hair removal will not create keloids because it does not wound thec cells in the second layer of the skin (fibrocystes) that are responsible for keloid formation.
Teenage male with light skin that can tan. Have had laser hair removal with Alexandrite Laser on chest and abdomen, due to excessive hair growth in those areas- simply looking to reduce the hair count and thickness, so that it is not beard-like in density.
However 7 treatments at a clinic (all of which stung quite a bit) have not decreased the hair density at all- perhaps even a slight increase. Hair falls out each time but grows back just as thick. Not sure what is wrong- perhaps hormonal?- but I’d still like to significantly reduce hair and not sure what the problem is/where to go from here… Any thoughts? Thanks
I sounds unusual that your hair density and its thickness has not decreased after 7 alexandrite laser hair reduction treatments. Hormonal imbalances might play a role and screening is recommended if review of the laser settings reveals that energy levels were up to par.