During the hair removal procedure, the laser device is moved along the skin in the desired area, targeting hair follicles that are in their active growth phase. The laser destroys the follicle, which prevents future hair growth. Because hair follicles grow in stages, several sessions are needed to target all of the follicles during the growth phase.
Laser hair removal is versatile and can be used on multiple areas of the body, including the face, legs, back, underarm, and bikini area.
Other benefits include:
- Eliminates ingrown hairs
- Quick treatments
- Save money on waxing appointments and different types of temporary hair removal
- No need to grow out hair between treatments
Dermatology + Cosmetic Surgery
Allan S. Wirtzer, MD, Medical Director
There have been tremendous advances in recent years for laser removal of unwanted facial or body hair.
Lasers produce intense light that is absorbed by the pigment in hair called melanin. The melanin absorbs the light and heats up. This heat damages the hair follicle without hurting the surrounding tissue. The damaged hair follicle stops producing hair or replaces thick adult hair with a fine, light-colored hair (vellus hair).
Traditional hair removal methods, such as waxing, shaving, and plucking, remove only the hair shaft. This leaves the hair follicle in place to grow new hair. Electrolysis delivers an electrical current to each follicle that can lead to permanent hair removal. However, it is painful and slow and usually requires multiple treatments over months or years.
Laser hair removal is a safe, effective, and convenient alternative to those methods. Lasers can treat large areas quickly, often in the time it takes to shave. Improvements may be seen after only one treatment, but repeat treatments are usually required to achieve desired results.
During treatment, you will experience mild to moderate discomfort similar to being snapped by a rubber band. Most patients tolerate the procedure without anesthesia, but anesthesia may be recommended for sensitive areas. This may include a numbing cream applied to the skin one hour before treatment.
After treatment, the area may appear swollen and feel like a mild sunburn.
Results of laser hair removal depend on several factors, including:
- Hair color—Lasers are most effective for dark hair. Light hair lacks sufficient melanin to absorb the light and heat up the hair follicle.
- Hair thickness—Thicker hairs respond better than thinner hairs.
- Skin color—Previously, only fair-skinned people could be treated with lasers for hair removal. Now dark-skinned individuals can also be treated, but gentler and more numerous treatments may be required to deliver the same results.
- Body area—Arms, legs, underarms, and hair in the bikini area respond best to treatment. Facial hair (chin and lip) tends to be more resistant.
People of all skin colors and hair types will benefit from some delayed hair re-growth for as long as 6 months after one treatment. However, because not all hair follicles are active at the same time, multiple treatments are usually needed to remove all hair from each area. Most people require 3–6 treatments, 4 to 6 weeks apart. After the initial round of treatments, your doctor may recommend maintenance treatments once or twice per year.
Along with mild side effects, some people may experience scarring or changes in skin color, although these changes are rare and usually resolve quickly. You can minimize these risks by carefully following your pre- and post-treatment instructions.
Many women have had to endure the embarrassment of dark hair for their entire lives. Many are surprised to learn that just about your entire body is covered with hair. But when darker, coarser hair appears in places we don't like or expect, it may be time to consider laser hair removal.
We have found that the LightSheer laser as a clinically safe and effective method for laser hair removal that has had a positive impact on patient's lives.
Laser hair removal treatments can be applied to the face, upper lip, underarms, bikini lines, legs and arms.
Previously, standard treatments for unwanted hair included plucking, shaving, waxing, or chemical depilatories. Electrolysis has been popular and effective for long-term hair removal, but can be painful and slow.
LightSheer Dioide Laser provides a more effective solution. The LightSheer laser offers a state of-the-art system specially designed to remove unwanted hair faster, less painfully and more reliably.
And the LightSheer laser is great for men who wish to remove excess hair on their backs or reduce the "5 0'clock shadow" appearance by reducing beard growth.
Laser hair removal done by a skilled physician in the medical office setting is a reliable, safe and effective procedure.
We have seen several patients who have used at-home lasers. Most have had no benefit, and some have been injured with burns to the skin. We strongly discourage our patients from using these readily available tools.
This is a case of 'you get what you pay for.' A professional hair laser can cost upwards of $100,000. It is impossible to reproduce the safety and efficacy of one of these devices in an at-home unit.
I think what is so important for patients to realize is that laser hair removal, though one of the most requested aesthetic procedures, is not quite as simple as many will have them believe.
I actually turn many patients away because they are not likely to respond to treatment or because they are asking me to remove hair that is just too light or fine to expect laser/IPL to work. Even when everything is perfect the results are in the 75-90% range after 4-7 treatments. Most of the improvement comes in the first 2 treatments and from then on it's about getting rid of as much hair as we can to be sure our patients are as satisfied as possible based on expectations discussed at initial consultation.
More importantly, there are risks to the procedure, and we are very careful to properly judge our patients skin types, recent sun exposure, medication risks,.... etc., to be certain we use safe and effective energy levels. If we don't use high enough energy levels, the results are poor. If we use too much, a patient can be burned and left with a permanent reminder of the experience. This is definitely a procedure I would highly recommend my patients, including those that are family, do in my office rather than at home.
Source: Vivacare
Last updated : 2/10/2023