Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal Depending on the area being treated, the process may take anywhere from several minutes to several hours to complete. The most commonly used lasers utilize a low energy laser beam. This beam passes through the patients skin and is attracted to the pigment of the hair. The energy passes down the hair shaft and is absorbed by hair follicles that are in the active growth phase, thereby disabling the hair follicle in the deeper layer of the skin. The hair follicles that are in dormant phase are not affected by the treatments. In most cases, minimal pain should be experienced and no anesthesia is required.

Laser Hair Removal Benefits

•  A non-invasive, gentle technique that reduces undesirable hair from most parts of the body
•  Treats larger areas effectively because it disables more than one hair at a time
•  May make skin color and complexion more uniform
•  Minimal discomfort
• Replaces waxing, electrolysis, shaving and bleaching
• No downtime

Laser Hair Removal Considerations

• Laser hair removals is an ongoing process that requires multiple sessions because it only affects actively growing hair, and not all hair follicles are active at the same time. In addition, high energy levels are avoided so as to minimize the risk of injury to the adjacent skin
• Occasionally patients may experience slight redness of the skin or mild swelling around the hairs
• Sunscreen is recommended for any area treated that may be exposed to the sun
• Patients with darker skin may not respond well due to inadequate discrepancy between skin and hair colors
• Blonde or gray/white hair is less responsive due to lack of ample pigment in the hair

Benefits of Laser Hair Removal

Lasers are useful for removing unwanted hair removal from the face, leg, arm, chest, underarm, bikini line, and other areas.

Benefits of laser hair removal include:

Precision: Lasers can selectively target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.

Speed: Each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time. The laser can treat an area approximately the size of a quarter every second. Small areas such as the upper lip can be treated in less than a minute, and large areas, such as the back or legs, may take up to an hour.

Predictability: Ninety percent of patients have permanent hair loss after an average of three to five sessions.

How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is more than just zapping unwanted hair removal. It is a medical procedure that requires training to perform and carries potential risks. Before getting laser hair removal, you should thoroughly check the credentials of the doctor or technician performing the procedure.

If you are planning on undergoing laser hair removal, you should limit plucking, waxing, and electrolysis for six weeks before treatment. Thats because the laser targets the hairs roots, which are temporarily removed by waxing or plucking.

You should also avoid sun exposure for six weeks before and after treatment. Sun exposure makes laser hair removal less effective and makes complications after treatment more likely.

What to Expect During Laser Hair Removal

Just before the procedure, your hair that will be undergoing treatment will be trimmed to a few millimeters above the skin surface. The laser equipment will be adjusted according to the color, thickness, and location of your hair being treated as well as your skin color.

Depending on the laser or light source used, you and the technician will need to wear appropriate eye protection. It will also be necessary to protect the outer layers of your skin with a cold gel or special cooling device. This will help the laser light penetrate the skin.

Next, the technician will give a pulse of light to the treatment area and watch the area for several minutes to make sure the best settings were used and to check for bad reactions.

When the procedure is completed, you may be given ice packs, anti-inflammatory creams or lotions, or cold water to ease any discomfort. You may schedule your next treatment four to six weeks later. Youll get treatments until hair stops growing.