Laser Hair Removal
Overview of Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal has recently become very popular. The reason is that with the advent of new lasers the procedure has become quite effective. Along with its increased effectiveness came the ability to treat larger areas. In fact, it is not uncommon for some of our patients to have full body hair removal. The procedure involves using a laser to destroy that part of the hair shaft that adds color to the hair. This means white hair, or hair that has no color, is not effectively treated with the laser.
The way the laser works is that when actively growing hair is struck with the laser beam it is either destroyed or sent into a resting phase. Not all hairs are actively growing. Most hairs are actively growing but a smaller percentage of hairs is in a resting phase. If the hair is struck by the laser when it is in a resting phase it is not affected by the laser. This is why multiple treatments are necessary in order to catch each hair when it is in its active phase.
The laser has a very cool tip that is gently slid over the skin on a film of cool gel. This cool tip effectively diminishes pain, redness, and swelling. The procedure is relatively painless.
On average, three treatments are needed to address the majority of hairs in their active phase. Most people comment that this is all that is necessary, but sometimes a small number of hairs persists and further treatment is necessary. The treatments are spread out over about 6 weeks so that hairs that were previously in their resting phase have had time to go into an active phase.
After the procedure, the treated skin has a pink glow to it and may be mildly irritated. This will go away in 2 or 3 days.