Permanent laser hair removal | Dr Benjamin Cozanet Paris

Laser hair removal for both men and women is an effective and safe technique which has been used for years, and its goal is to permanently and almost fully destroy terminal hair.

Dr Benjamin Cozanet welcomes you to his aesthetic medical clinic in the 1st district of Paris, where your 1st consultation is free of charge, to advise you on the appropriate laser hair removal treatment and to provide all the necessary information along with a detailed treatment estimate.

Guidelines for Medical Necessity Determination for Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is recommended for both men and women on all facial and body regions for esthetic and sometimes therapeutic reasons (hirsutism, folliculitis, ingrown hairs leaving scars or hyperpigmentation marks).

It is effective on all types of pilosity, on all skins, except for fine hair, white or very light-colored hairs, and red hair (these hairs can be treated with electric hair removal or hair-by-hair electrolysis).

Hair removal with an Alexandrite laser or a Nd :YAG laser now treat all phototypes: white skins, mixed-race skins, Asian skins or black skins.

Depending on the patient’s age, laser hair removal provides the most permanent results possible.

Dr Benjamin Cozanet performs laser hair removal in Paris for both men and women and on all skin types (from the fairest to the darkest).

The complete guide to laser treatments

Dr Benjamin Cozanet uses two of the world’s leading types of lasers for permanent hair removal. 

These Class 4 medical hair removal lasers are called Alexandrite and Nd YAG (Elite + et Elite MPX, Cynosure®) and can treat all skin types.

Laser devices vary: flashlamps/ pulsed Light (IPL) which reduce hair growth for short to medium term hair removal.

Hair removal lasers which guarantee long-term results, practically permanent, depending on the age at which you get treated.

How does laser therapy work?

Laser hair removal works according to the "selective photothermolysis" principle.

You “selectively” heat the hair to destroy it permanently, without damaging the surrounding tissue.

The melanin contained in the hair absorbs the laser’s emitted light energy and transforms it into heat which is conducted through the hair shaft to reach the follicle, this permanently destroys the hair production structure and thus impedes regrowth.

The main contraindication of laser hair removal is tanning, in this case you must postpone the session 6-8 weeks.

The laser hair removal process 

Hair grows according to a hair growth cycle in 3 stages: anagen, catagen and telogen. It is only during the anagen phase (the production of a hair shaft from the hair follicle) that hair follicles are sensitive to hair removal, several sessions are required so that the full result becomes possible (90%). Each session destroys 20% of the hair follicles.

Most people will need 6-8 sessions, spaced 4-8 weeks apart between the first 3 sessions, and then 8-12 sessions apart for the following sessions to target the hair during the anagen phase. A single maintenance session per year is sometimes necessary depending on the sex and age category of the patient. Laser hair removal sessions take place at Dr Benjamin Cozanet’s clinic.

Pre-Care: Laser Hair Removal 

• Do not wax or bleach your hair for 3-4 weeks prior to treatment.

• Do not suntan, avoiding all sun exposure 6-8 weeks prior to the laser therapy sessions.

• You must shave the treatment zone the day before or the day of the treatment (except for the facial zones on women)

• If you desire, you can apply an anesthesia cream (Emla or Anesderm) 1h 30 minutes prior to the session. Dr Benjamin Cozanet will provide a prescription to buy this cream at the pharmacy.

Laser hair removal: what to expect 

• You will wear protective goggles (the same ones used during other laser treatments)

• The treatment is virtually painless due to cold air forced onto the skin by the laser handpiece adapter which momentarily numbs the top layer of skin.  You may experience a tingling sensation or feel like you’re being snapped with a rubber band. For highly sensitive patients, an anesthesia cream significantly reduces any discomfort.

• The treatment duration varies depending on the zone, from a few minutes for the chin, upper lip, bikini line or underarm pits, or up to 1 hour for legs.

Post-care: Laser Hair Removal

• Redness may appear (Erythema)

• A soothing, hydrating, repairing cream (Biafine or Cicalfate) is applied morning and night for 3 days, as the redness disappears.

• Dr Benjamin Cozanet also recommends avoiding any tanning or UV sessions after the laser session, and if the treatment is not fully complete, to avoid rescheduling the next session, and to optimize the synchronization of hairs during the laser sensitivity phase.

Other Skin Care Laser Treatments

Photorejuvenation lasers are used to erase signs of aging, like age spots or a dull complexion. This treatment corrects age-induced skin imperfections and external aggressions.

Vascular lasers to remove blood vessels which appear on the face and body’s skin surface (rosacea, erythema, angiomas, and varicosities).

To care for your skin, Dr Benjamin Cozanet may recommend hyaluronic acid treatments, skinboosters, Radiesse® (Calcium hydroxyapatite), Sculptra®, HarmonyCa® or peeling treatments.