Nist Richard T MD Facog

Information may not be reliable

Richard T. Nist, M.D., FACOG

I use the best laser for permanent hair removal - the
Candela GentleLase. (Candelalaser.com) Not only is it the most
comfortable system, it is also the MOST efficient method to
permanently remove black, growing hair.

First, minimal pain occurs: A liquid cooling agent is
sprayed onto your skin just before the laser "pops"- thus
GentleLase. No other system uses this method. Most GentleLase
pops are painless, occasionally you will feel like a rubber band
snaps your skin. Rose colored glasses protect eyes.
This is much less painful than electrolysis or waxing.
Yag or diode lasers pull a cooling wand over the skin - which hurts
more and is less efficient. Light is not a laser - it hurts far more
and is much less efficient. In Alaska a physician by law must be
present when a laser is used.

Second, the efficiency: In 1-2 weeks GentleLase causes
most of the hair to fall out. However, permanent hair removal is
limited to only the growing hair - about 20%. A new crop of 20%
will have grown in about 6-8 weeks. Thus 5-6 sessions in about
6-8 week intervals is usually adequate dependent upon your skin.
Blond hairs, gray hairs, and a few "resistent" black hairs may
remain. These I'll be glad to do at a dollar a laser pop after

How does the GentleLase work: Circular spots 1/2
inch in diameter are lased every second or two zapping the
growing hair roots. An upper lip takes 3-4 minutes; a back about

Prices: Thus charges are based on the lased body part.
An upper lip is $100 per session, armpits $200, and backs at $500.
Incidentally, I do Brazilian bikinis $350 per session. My prices
are less than 2001 Chicago prices where I trained for laser hair
removal. (Google: Laser hair removal, Chicago) Approximately,
the prices are a dollar per laser pop.

Unusal complications: Lighning or darkening of the skin
can occur, but this slowly fades with time (rare), and small blisters
(like a sunburn) can occur which heals in about a week - tell me
if this occurs. Dark skin can be a problem, and tanning is
contraindiacted as are some medications. Hair re-growth can
occur if hormone balances change.

To prepare for a laser session: Shave the area you want
done 3-4 days before - the stubble shows me what hairs need to
be done and I'm not lasering through thick hair. The lased area
may be red overnight and may feel like a sun burn. Aloe-vera
lotion will help.

Perhaps of interest: GentleLase is the most expensive
laser; a yag laser costs about 2/3 of Gentlelase; and a light device
is about 1/3 of Gentlelase.

Call me if you have other questions; I don't take
credit cards and your insurance will not pay for cosmetic surgery.

* FACOG - Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology