LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Laser hair removal uses a process called selective photo-thermolysis. Heat from a laser destroys cells that have a lot of pigment (color). Since dark hair has a lot of pigment, it absorbs the most heat. Hair transfers heat to the hair follicles and destroys them, so hair can’t grow. A hair follicle has to be in its anagen, or growth, stage for the procedure to work. Follicles are in different stages at different times, so most people need multiple laser treatments. Laser hair removal is used to reduce unwanted hair. Common treatment locations include legs, armpits, upper lip, chin and the bikini line. However, it's possible to treat unwanted hair in nearly any area, except the eyelid or surrounding area. Skin with tattoos should not be treated either. Hair color and skin type influence the success of laser hair removal. The basic principle is that the pigment of the hair, but not the pigment of the skin, should absorb the light. The laser should damage only the hair follicle while avoiding damage to the skin. A certified technician applies a laser light to the area of unwanted hair. The pulses of light emitted by the laser attack the hair and the follicle, destroying the hair at the root and preventing it from growing back. Hair grows in three different phases, and for the laser to effectively destroy the root, the hair needs to be in the growth phase. It is for this reason that multiple treatments are required. In order to capture each hair in that growth phase, you will need to have several sessions spaced out roughly four to six weeks apart.
BENEFITS OF LASER HAIR REMOVAL
LASER IS QUICK AND EFFECIENT:
If it’s a quick solution you’re searching for, laser hair removal is the fastest way to get rid of unwanted hair. You will have to have multiple treatment sessions, but most sessions only take a few minutes. The smaller the treatment area, the less time you’ll spend under the laser.
LASER IS MUCH LESS PAINFUL THEN OTHER METHODS:
Laser hair removal is a lot less painful than most people think. Many people equate it to the feeling of snapping a rubber band against the skin.
Depending on your threshold for pain, you may find it slightly uncomfortable, but the sessions are so fast that most people find it easy to endure.
LASER IS PRECISE:
Laser technology is incredibly precise, making laser hair removal ideal for people looking to target and remove a few specific hairs. This makes it a great option, even if you’re looking to remove small areas of hair from around the eyebrows, upper lip, nose, bikini line, or hairline.
LASER CAN REMOVE HAIR FROM ANY PART OF THE BODY:
With the exception of the eyelashes, laser hair removal can be performed on any part of the body. It’s especially ideal for the back and Brazilian-bikini area, which can be hard to reach with razors and extremely painful to wax.
LASER PREVENTS INGROWN HAIR:
Shaving, waxing, and other methods of hair removal can cause ingrown hairs. If you’re prone to ingrown hairs, laser hair removal is an excellent option.
By destroying the hair at the root, you’ll never have to worry about those pesky hairs growing back in or curling back into the body and becoming ingrown.
LASER SAVES FROM HAVING TO ENDURE CONSTANT REGROWTH
Some methods, such as waxing and plucking, require that you endure a bit of regrowth in between sessions. With laser hair removal, you can enjoy smooth, hair-free skin at all times.
LASER IS A LONG TERM SOLUTION:
The effects of hair removal using laser are long-lasting. Hair can take weeks or months to grow back, and with every subsequent session, the hair takes much longer to reappear. And even when it does grow back, the hair is so much thinner and sparser than before. Eventually, you’ll find that you’re practically hairless. That’s one of the most beneficial parts of using laser technology to get rid of the hair on your body.
LASER LEAVES YOUR SKIN SOFTER THAN BEFORE:
Have you ever shaved your hair off and been bothered by prickly stubble in a couple of days? Or felt a similar stubble after you’ve epilated or waxed? With laser hair removal, there’s no stray hair or stubble left behind. This means your skin feels silky smooth after a session of laser treatment. And even when your hair eventually grows back, it’s thinner and softer than before, so you don’t have to feel upset about thick hair that leaves your skin rough.
HOW LONG DO THE BENEFITS LAST?
Most patients remain hair free for months or even years. When some of the hair regrows, it will likely be less noticeable. To keep the area free of hair, a patient may need maintenance laser treatments.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE REQUIRED?
Typically it will take six to eight treatments to achieve a full clear area, but there are certain people who only need four treatments.
WHEN SHOULD YOU START SEEING RESULTS?
You will likely see the results immediately after treatment. The results vary from patient to patient. The color and thickness of your hair, area treated, type of laser used, and color of your skin all affect the results. You can expect a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after the first treatment. To remove the hair, most patients need 2 to 6 laser treatments. After finishing the treatments, most patients do not see any hair on the treated skin for several months or even years. When the hair regrows, there tends to be less of it. The hairs also tend to be finer and lighter in color.
DOES LASER HAVE A DOWN-TIME?
No, laser hair removal generally does not require any real downtime. Immediately after having laser hair removal, your treated skin will be red and swollen. Despite this, most people return to their everyday activities.
ANY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
Risks of side effects vary with skin type, hair color, treatment plan and adherence to pre-treatment and post-treatment care. The most common side effects of laser hair removal include:
Skin irritation. Temporary discomfort, redness and swelling are possible after laser hair removal. Any signs and symptoms typically disappear within several hours.
Pigment changes. Laser hair removal might darken or lighten the affected skin, usually temporarily. Skin lightening primarily affects those who don't avoid sun exposure before or after treatment and those who have darker skin.
Rarely, laser hair removal can cause blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include graying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, particularly on darker skin. Laser hair removal isn't recommended for eyelids, eyebrows or surrounding areas, due to the possibility of severe eye injury.
THE PROCEDURE
THE PROCEDURE:
Before the treatment, the area to be treated will be cleansed. Some patients receive a numbing gel. Numbing the area to be treated helps when a small area will be treated and the skin is very sensitive. It takes about 30 to 60 minutes for a numbing gel to work.
The laser treatment will take place in a room set up specifically for laser treatments. Everyone in the room must wear protective eyewear during the procedure. To perform the procedure, the skin is held taut and the skin is treated with the laser. Many patients say that the laser pulses feel like warm pinpricks or a rubber band being snapped against the skin.
A laser removes hair by vaporizing it. This causes small plumes of smoke that have a sulfur-like smell.
How long your treatment lasts depends on the size of the area being treated. Treating the upper lip takes minutes. If you are having a large area like the back or legs treated, your treatment may last more than an hour.
PRE-TREATMENT PROTOCOLS:
Avoid the sun for 2-4 weeks before the treatment
The use of tanning creams, tanning beds or bronzers must be discontinued 2 weeks prior to the treatments.
No retinol based products or benzoyl peroxide for 2 weeks pretreatment.
Avoid electrolysis, plucking, and/or waxing for 4 weeks prior to treatment.
Antibiotics must be stopped 2-3 weeks prior to the treatment.
No bleaching and whitening creams 2 weeks prior to the treatment
No chemical peels or skin resurfacing treatments 2-3 weeks prior to the treatment
If you have a history of herpes, prophylactic, antiviral therapy must be started the day before treatment and continued one week after treatment.
POST-TREATMENT PROTOCOLS:
To avoid possible side effects, all patients need to protect their skin from the sun. After laser hair removal, you should:
Immediately after treatment there may be erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) at the treatment site. This usually lasts 2 hours or longer. The erythema may last up to 10 days post treatment. The treatment area may feel like a sunburn for a few hours after the treatment but will subside shortly after.
Aloe Vera gel or hydrocortisone may be used for 3-5 days post treatment to help with burning and or itchy sensations.
Avoid saunas, steam rooms, Jacuzzis, extremely hot showers, or strenuous activities causing excessive sweating for at least 3 days.
Avoid sun exposure for 2 weeks to avoid hypo-pigmentation and hyper-pigmentation.
Use sunscreen multiple times a day. SPF 50+ is recommended.
Avoid picking or scratching the treated areas. Please do not use any hair removal products or similar treatments (i.e. electrolysis, plucking, and waxing, laser, or hair removal products.) Those will disturb the hair follicle. Shaving is permitted.
Up to two weeks post treatment you will notice shedding of the treated hair. This is not new growth. You may clean and remove the hair by washing or wiping the area with a wet cloth.
Treat your skin gently for at least 24 hours after the treatment.
No retinol based products or benzoyl peroxide for 1 week post-treatment.