Frequently Asked Questions

Laser hair removal is a procedure which removes hair from the body utilizing a long pulse laser. Laser hair removal lasers have been in use since 1997. The treatment is performed by a specially-trained laser specialist by pointing the laser device at shaved skin. Laser heat disables follicles from producing hair. It is important to note that the laser process will not work well on people that have red, white, gray or blond hair. For those areas with light hair color, we recommend you see one of our licensed electrologists.

No, absolutely not. Unlike many other laser hair removal clinics, we do not require you to sign a contract. At Wilmington Laser Hair Removal & Skin Clinic, you only pay for treatments that you NEED.

Unlike earlier years of laser hair removal technology, when lasers were unable to see hair on dark skin, our advanced lasers can remove hair on all colors of skin including African American and Middle Eastern ethnicities. It is important to know that lasers can only see dark hair and laser hair removal will not work on white, gray, light red or light blond hair. For those areas, we recommend you see one of our licensed electrologists.

Just about all of them! Wilmington Laser Hair Removal and Skin Clinic's advanced lasers can safely treat any body part except for the small area inside the bony ridge of the eye socket.

Treatment will take place in the comfort and privacy of your practitioner’s office. First the treatment area will be prepared for the laser; then the treatment follows. You are given safety eyewear to protect your eyes from the laser light.     

During the actual treatment, the our hair removal specialist guides the laser light to the treatment areas with a small hand piece. Each laser pulse is preceded and followed by a short pulse of cooling spray. A treatment could take as little as a few minutes to as long as an hour and a half, depending on the area being treated.

Some patients may feel a slight discomfort with each laser pulse, sometimes described as the snapping of a rubber band on the skin. This mild discomfort resolves in several seconds and is minimized by the high-tech laser’s DCD cooling.   

NOTE:  We recognize that some of the earlier aesthetic lasers delivered painful pulses.  If you have been treated with one of these devices and now fear a similar experience, please give us the opportunity to show you how much more comfortable our state-of-the-art technology can be.

There are a number of factors determine the length of time for a treatment. We plan for adequate time to go as slowly or as fast as is comfortable and appropriate for each client. 
The size and “topography” of the area treated factors into the time required, as does the amount of preparation. As a general rule, legs and backs take an hour to an hour and a half, while an upper lip or the tops of ears may require eight to 10 minutes. The front of the neck or underarms can take as little as 20 minutes.

The number of treatments needed is different for everyone. We have some clients who are happy after 4 treatments, and a small minority who have needed more than 8. The number of sessions depends on the treatment you require and the condition of your skin. Many factors impact the efficacy of individual laser treatments, including the severity of the condition being treated.

You will see results after the VERY FIRST treatment. You will have fewer hairs and they will be finer and weaker. Your skin will be smoother and your hair pores less visible. The results will become more impressive with each successive treatment.

All of the electrologists at the Wilmington Laser Hair Removal and Skin Clinic are licensed by the State of North Carolina which is renewed yearly. An electrologist specializes in the permanent removal of unwanted hair. The State of North Carolina sets strict standards for the practice of Electrology so it is important to work with a licensed Electrologist.
There are many salons and other businesses that advertise as "electrologist" or "permanent hair removal" but instead offer temporary hair removal or hair reduction. The only method that offers permanent hair removal is "needle electrolysis."     

Any hair, anywhere! is our motto. Women often have treatments on eyebrow, upper-lip, chin, cheeks, hairline, breasts, chest, tummy, fingers, arms, underarms, legs and bikini/genitals; Men on outer ear hair, brow, nose (avoiding nostrils), back, shoulders, chest and tummy.

Yes! Unlike lasers, electrolysis will work on all colors of hair: red, blonde, gray, or dark hair. Electrolysis is safe for all skin colors.

YES! Electrolysis is the only medically proven method of permanent hair removal. Once the hair follicle is destroyed the hair will not grow back. Having a good understanding about how electrolysis works will help you understand why it requires a series of treatments for permanency.

The sensation is a quick warmth. Some areas may be more sensitive than others and at certain times of the month you may feel more sensitive. We do provide products that can help you feel more comfortable during your treatments. You can also take your favorite pain reliever a half an hour before your appointment to lessen the sensation. It is impossible to properly treat the follicle without any sensation. The more warmth you can tolerate the faster you will be hair-free.

An electrolysis program must be tailored to meet each individual client's needs. Certain factors determine the number and length of time for each treatment, such as the number of hair follicles contained in the area of treatment, the sensitivity of the skin in the particular area to be treated, and previous methods of hair removal. Most clients find that a weekly session—beginning at 15-30 minutes, and gradually moving to 15-20 minutes—is the most effective. The closer you adhere to your treatment schedule, the more effective your treatment program will be in helping free yourself of superfluous hair—forever.
Electrolysis may take weeks to months to see marked improvement, and sometimes over a year to permanently destroy every hair cell. An encouraging fact is that the area being treated is continuously improving during treatments, and visits becoming shorter in duration, as well as spaced further apart. When all unwanted hairs are gone, some people will need periodic treatments. Sometimes new hairs can be produced due to reasons such as stress, medications, hormonal changes, etc. Remember we cannot change the reasons new hairs may be produced, but at this stage it becomes easy to maintain. There are some people who, when finished with electrolysis treatments, do not have a need to come in for maintenance treatments. Individual factors that effect hair growth make it difficult to predict how many treatments will be needed and how long the process will take.

That depends on individual growth. If the hairs are thick and plentiful, you may require a longer treatment session. Your electrologist will discuss the best course of action during the consultation. Treatments usually range from 15 to 30 minutes per session. Many clients have them on their lunch hour.

Estimating the time and cost of electrolysis is something most electrologists stay away from, due to the fact that every single client is different. How often you need to come in, and how long your treatments will be, depends on the density, coarseness, and previous methods of hair removal. During your FREE CONSULTATION with one of our licensed Electrologists, your situation will be evaluated and appointments will be set up accordingly.When compared to the expense of a lifetime of shaving, depilatories, or laser treatments, the permanence of electrolysis makes it a wise investment in yourself.

Immediately following treatment, there may be a temporary redness or tenderness, which varies with each individual. The latest technology has made electrolysis more comfortable and effective than ever before. Your electrologist will provide you with post treatment instructions and any personal attention you may need. You are assured of the best care from a skilled hair removal professional. Learn more about how electrolysis works.

You can safely cut or shave hairs in or near the area being treated but you must leave enough hair for your electrologist to treat and remove. Do not tweeze, wax or use depilatories between appointments. Doing so will slow down your results.

Permanent cosmetic makeup is cosmetic tattooing. The specialized techniques used for permanent cosmetics are often referred to as “micropigmentation”, “micropigment implantation” or “dermagraphics”. The cosmetic implantation technique deposits colored pigment into the upper reticular layer of the dermis.

Permanent cosmetics procedures are performed using various devices, including the traditional tattoo coil machines, the pen or rotary machine (includes the digital rotary machines) and the non-machine or hand device. The process includes a consultation, the application of pigment, and at least one or more follow up visits for evaluating the healed design work and color of the pigment.

People who meet minimum age requirements and have the ability to heal properly from minor wounds can benefit from the liberating benefits of permanent cosmetics. Interest in this service spans the young to the more mature;    

• Those who desire a soft, natural enhancement to their appearance.
• Those who can’t wear traditional cosmetics due to allergies and skin sensitivities.
• Active people who want to look their best for sports activities such as swimming, hiking, biking, tennis, aerobics; and those who don’t want to worry about “sweating off” or reapplying cosmetics.
• Those who are vision challenged who have difficulty applying their cosmetics
• Others with dexterity related conditions such as arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke survivors
• busy people who don’t have time to spend applying and refreshing makeup throughout the day and evening.

Permanent cosmetics procedures are considered permanent because pigment is tattooed into the upper reticular part of the dermal layer of the skin and cannot be washed off. However, as with any tattoo or colorant (pigment) in general, fading can and often does occur, requiring periodic maintenance referred to as color re-enhancement or color refreshing.

The scientific structure of pigments and the requirement for periodic refreshing is identical to that of tinted hair color; faded material on furniture that may be located near a window and subject to sun exposure; house paint that is exposed to the sun and other environmental elements; pigment implanted in the skin may fade with time.

The fact that most people will require periodic color refreshing of their permanent cosmetics is the opportune time to work with your technician to reevaluate your overall appearance profile and determine if any changes are appropriate. 

Longevity varies from person to person depending on their life style (sun exposure), the color(s) used for the permanent cosmetic procedure, and are also thought to be affected by topical products applied to the skin.

Make sure you have no major events at least 3-4 days after your procedure. It is also wise to wait a week before going on any exotic vacations. 

• Stop wearing contacts a day before Eyeliner procedures.
• Bring eyeglasses to procedures.
• Avoid alcohol, Vitamin E, Multi-Vitamins, Niacin, St Johns Wart, Evening Primrose Oil, Ginko-Biloba, Aspirin (any non-vital blood thinners) for 24 hours before all procedures.
• Understand that Fever Blisters are a very common side effect of lip tattooing. I strongly suggest getting your doctor or dentist to prescribe an oral medication prior to any Lip procedures.
• Do not wear any makeup to the procedure, unless specified.
• Gently exfoliate and moisturize the procedure area.
• Be off of RetinA and Renova 30 days prior to any procedures.
• Be off Accutane one year prior.
• Not have a sunburn prior.
• Not be pregnant.
• Be over 18 yrs old.

Relax. This is easy and will make your life much more convenient!!

The initial procedure will generally take approximately 2 to 2 ½ hours;

• Records to establish
• Photographs to take
• Desired design and color to discuss
• procedure to perform;
• aftercare requirements to discuss.

*Follow up or color refresher procedures usually do not require the same amount of time.

Most people experience some discomfort. This will vary according to each individual’s pain threshold. There are different methods available, however, to help with discomfort management, including various topical anesthetics that are specifically developed for our industry. Your permanent cosmetic professional will discuss these methods with you to determine which one is appropriate.

To put this in perspective, thousands of body art tattoos are performed annually, possibly millions. As a rule, traditional tattoo professionals do not use any anesthetics for their tattoo procedures. Anesthetics for permanent cosmetics are more of a tattoo service luxury because of the nature of the tattoo location and the fact that permanent cosmetics falls into the beauty treatment category.

Although the procedure is considered permanent, these procedures do have flexibility in changing color and shape to some extent. Colors will appear darker immediately following the procedure but will soften and lighten during the healing process. The healing time is different for each individual and procedure. It’s very important to realize that often the new procedure represents something somewhat different; at times color where there was no color at all or very little. It takes time to become acclimated to a new look (very often this applies to eyebrows which were sparse and unnoticeable before the permanent cosmetic brow procedure.) Eyeliner color is more evident due to the contrast to the skin color.

Be patient. After the procedure has healed, and you are able to make an informed decision about the healed version of the procedure.

While eyebrows may show little after effect, eyeliner and lips may show slight to moderate swelling. This is very dependent upon the amount of work performed. As examples; an eyelash enhancement will show very little response to the tattooing procedure compared to a more moderate response when wide eyeliner is performed. The same philosophy applies to lip color procedures. A lip liner or blended lip liner will show less effects of the procedure than that of a full lip color. Also, some people swell more from minor skin infractions than others.

During the procedure there may be some minor bleeding. This again, is client specific. Many people take blood thinners on a daily basis so some slight bleeding would be expected. Others show little or no signs of bleeding. Bruising is rare but again, if a person is on blood thinners, bruising could occur. What is seen more often is that eyebrows rarely if ever produce any bruising; minor bruising during eyeliner procedures is possible if the skin being tattooed is very thin and close to the vascular system. 

There is usually some tenderness for a few days. The color is much darker than you may expect for the first six to ten days.

Other less often reported side effects are difficult to determine due to the individuality of each person’s biological system. This is why professional permanent cosmetic technicians require a client history profile be filled out to assess different factors that may contribute to your experience after the tattooing procedure has been completed.

Often the tattooed color is not perfect after the initial procedure heals. Permanent cosmetic procedures are a process and at least one follow-up to the initial procedure should be scheduled.It is recommended that any required detail work to the original procedure be performed no sooner than four weeks after the original procedure.The minimum standard for follow-up detail work for lip procedures is six weeks. Lips have a different healing agenda than procedures performed on other parts of the face due to their delicate natureThe cited time frames will vary depending on the health profile and age of the client, but these are good minimum standards for consideration.

Eyebrow Before Care

• Do not work out the day of the procedure
• Do not tan or have sunburned face
• Do not take Aspirin, Niacin, Vitamin E or Ibuprofen 24 hours prior
• No alcohol or caffeine on day of procedure
• No waxing or tinting 3 days before the procedure
• Please note that you will be more sensitive during your menstrual cycle

Eyebrow After Care

• NO water, cleansers, creams, makeup, or any other products on treated area for 10 days
• 4-5 hours after procedure, clean the area with soap and water and allow to air dry
• DO NOT rub, pick or scratch the treated area. Let any scabbing or dry skin natural slough off. Picking can cause scarring.
• Avoid direct sun exposure or tanning for 3-4 weeks after procedure
• Avoid heavy sweating for the first 4 days.
• NO facials, botox, chemical treatments or microdermabrasion for 4 weeks.
• Avoid sleeping on your face for first 10 days.

Long Term Care

• Use a good SPF on your eyebrows if you plan to be in the sun for a prolonged period of time. Sun exposure will fade your permanent cosmetics
• If you are planning a chemical peel, laser procedure, or MRI scan, please inform your technician of your permanent cosmetics.
• The use of RetinA/Tretinoin or any other rapid skin exfoliation products used regularly on the forehead will cause the permanent makeup to fade prematurely.
• The use of chemical peels and acid peels regularly can also cause premature fading.

Please note: Eyebrows will appear darker and bolder due to natural scabbing and healing for the first 10 days. This is very common for all permanent cosmetic procedures.

Eyeliner Before Care

• Do not work out the day of the procedure
• Do not tan or have sunburned face
• Do not take Aspirin, Niacin, Vitamin E or Ibuprofen 24 hours prior
• No alcohol or caffeine on day of procedure
• No waxing or tinting 3 days before the procedure
• Please note that you will be more sensitive during your menstrual cycle
• Do not wear contact lenses during the procedure or for 24 hours after.
• Please do not wear mascara to an eyeliner procedure.
• Any eyelash or eyebrow tinting or eyelash curling should be done no sooner than 48 hours before, or two weeks after the procedure.
• If you have lash extensions, please remove them at least 3 days prior to treatment.

Eyeliner After Care

• NO water, cleansers, creams, makeup, or any other products on treated area for 10 days
• 4-5 hours after procedure, clean the area with soap and water and allow to air dry
• DO NOT rub, pick or scratch the treated area. Let any scabbing or dry skin natural slough off. Picking can cause scarring.
• Avoid heavy sweating for the first 4 days.
• Avoid sleeping on your face for first 3 days.

Long Term Care

• If you are planning a chemical peel, laser procedure, or MRI scan, please inform your technician of your permanent cosmetics.

Please note: Eyeliner will appear darker and bolder due to natural scabbing and healing for the first 10 days. This is very common for all permanent cosmetic procedures.