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LASER HAIR REMOVAL
(Feb 1999)Redding Dermatology Medical Group is pleased to be able to provide state of the art laser hair removal using the LightSheer™ Diode Laser. Although there are many laser and laser-like hair removal treatments available, the LightSheer™ Diode Laser has received FDA approval for permanent hair reduction.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
A laser produces a beam of highly concentrated light. The pigment located in the hair follicles absorbs the light emitted by the laser. The laser pulses for a fraction of a second, which is just long enough to vaporize the pigment. This disables several follicles at a time to eliminate or significantly impede the hair’s regrowth. However, inactive hair follicles and those containing minimal or no pigment are not adequately affected by laser treatment.
This technique is referred to as lasertrolysis. It was invented by a team of laser dermatologists at the Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital.
Is Laser Hair Removal Painful?
All effective hair removal techniques have some level of discomfort. Our expertise in skin anesthesia allows us to provide you with maximal hair removal results from the LightSheer™ Diode Laser with the best pain control available.
The LightSheer™ system is fast, which reduces treatment time. It provides long-lasting hair removal, which reduces the need for repeated treatment. The LightSheer™ system contains the patented ChillTip™ cooling lens that helps to reduce discomfort while protecting the skin surface from thermal injury during delivery of the pulse of the laser light.
Appearance of the Skin Following Treatment
Immediately following treatment, the site will be somewhat swollen, appear slightly red in color, and may feel like a mild sunburn. This reaction subsides over a few hours and then the treated areas usually return to their normal appearance. The amount of discomfort following a treatment is usually minimal and does not limit most physical activities.
Length of Procedure
Each pulse of laser energy will treat a square area of skin approximately three-eighths of an inch (9mm). For this reason, the amount of time required depends on the size of the area to be treated. For example, the upper lip and bikini line may require only five to fifteen minutes of treatment, while a longer period of time will be required to treat the back or legs.
Number of Treatments Required
Since each person has a different amount of hair follicles and different types of hair, the amount of treatments needed per area varies. Typically, three to five treatments are needed to achieve a satisfactory result.
Also, laser hair removal works only on those hair follicles that are in a growth stage. Typically, 80 – 85% of a person’s hair follicles are in a growth stage at any given time. After initial treatment of an area hairs that regrow are usually in the early stages of growth, which makes them most vulnerable to laser treatment. For this reason, any necessary follow-up treatments should be performed as soon as possible after the hairs begin to regrow.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?
As with any medical treatment, use of a laser for hair removal can have some side effects. However, side effects have been minor and manageable. The precise laser parameters used have been carefully defined by the study of hair follicle anatomy and the precise matching of pulse duration to the size, depth, and location of the follicle.
Is
Laser Hair Removal Right for Me?
Although laser hair removal is an option for almost everyone, there are some conditions that might make such treatment undesirable. For example, laser hair removal is ineffective for white or very light blonde hairs. Therefore, each patient is required to schedule a consultation so that their skin and medical history can be examined for any conditions that could be worsened by laser hair removal treatment.
During the initial consultation, photos will be taken of the area to be treated. Also, several small “test patches” will be done to gauge the patient’s reaction to laser hair removal treatment. This will allow for the selection of a treatment program that will ensure optimal results for each patient
Craig Kraffert, M.D.
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