If you're considering laser hair removal...
Traditional hair removal techniques, such as shaving, tweezing and waxing, provide only temporary results. Electrolysis often requires years of ongoing and frequently painful treatments. All of these methods can commonly result in scarring, allergic reactions, and ingrown hairs. Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment inside the hair follicle without damaging the delicate pores and structures of the skin. Not every single hair may respond to treatment. Most patients experience an 80-90% reduction in hair growth to the treated area. The number of treatments needed depends on hair and skin type and what methods of hair removal have been used in the past. The average number of treatments is four to six, but more may be required.
THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Because the function of the laser is based on interacting with contrasting pigmentation, the best candidates are patients with light skin and dark hair. There must be enough of a contrast between your skin and hair to allow the laser to target the hair while ignoring the skin. Hair that has less melanin, such as blonde, red, white, and gray hair, cannot absorb the laser’s energy as well as brown or black hair. Likewise, darker skin has a large amount of melanin and will attract the laser’s energy away from the hair follicle, which can result in hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, or blistering.
PREPARING FOR THE PROCEDURE
1. Stay out of the sun for the full length of your treatment process. Because the laser is attracted to pigment, patients who are in the sun or use tanning beds are more likely to have the laser focus on their skin rather than the hair follicle. This will make treatment more painful and less effective. 2. Do not tweeze or wax the area for six weeks prior to treatment. The hair root must be present for the laser to work; if it has been removed there will be nothing for the laser to interact with. 3. Shave the area one or two days before treatment. The hair needs to be long enough so the laser can find it, but short enough so the surface hair won’t attract the laser, increasing the risk of a burn and taking up energy that won’t reach the root of the hair follicle.
TYPES OF ANESTHESIA
There is a stinging sensation, but most patients have no problems tolerating the procedure. Small bursts of cold air or a cool tip are used to counteract the heat of the laser, and any residual discomfort fades shortly after the procedure.
THE SURGERY
Laser hair removal is a process in which a beam of highly concentrated light interacts with the pigment in your hair follicle to significantly impede your hair’s ability to regrow. The laser pulses over the area long enough to interact with pigment in several hair follicles at a time, but not long enough to damage the surrounding skin.
Physicians
