 Laser hair removal is a
fast and easy way to permanently remove unwanted
hair. With our improved
understanding of laser skin interactions and advances
in laser technology, successful laser-assisted
hair removal has become a reality. Unlike electrolysis,
a slow process which kills one hair follicle at
a time, laser hair removal reaches and treats
hundreds of hair follicles simultaneously.
How Does It Work?
A laser produces a beam of highly concentrated
light that is directed over the area being treated.
There are a variety of lasers and each is unique
based on the color of light it emits. Each color
is used based on the skin type and hair type being
treated. The light's color is the key to its effectiveness
on the hair follicles.
The pigment located in hair follicles absorbs
the light emitted by the laser. The laser produces
precisely controlled pulses of energy that are
concentrated in the follicles under the skin.
The energy pulse plus the absorption of light
causes vaporization of the pigment and the disabling
of the follicles in order to eliminate or significantly
impede the hair's re-growth.
The key to the effectiveness of laser hair remvoal is
the principle of Selective Photothermolysis. By
properly adjusting the pulsewidth (the amount
of time the laser is on) the laser light is able
to pass, unaffected, through the thin layer of
skin pigment and reach the deep hair follicle.
At the follicle level, the laser energy is absorbed
and transformed into heat that ultimately disables
the follicle. As a result, hair growth is impaired
without affecting the surrounding tissue.
Does It Hurt?
During the laser hair removal procedure, most lasers emit either
a cooling gel or a cooling spray a split second
before the laser pulse in order to ensure maximum
protection. While this protects the skin, some
patients still describe feeling slight discomfort
during the procedure. Most describe the procedure
as feeling prickly or like a rubber band snapping against
the skin.
Although the cooling devices are in place to
help protect the skin and minimize redness, the
skin will sometimes become slightly red afterwards.
If any redness does occur, it usually goes away
within a few hours. Most patients will not experience
any redness at all.
What Results Can I Expect?
Laser hair removal results will not be immediate.
Individuals will need to receive multiple treatments
in order to completely disable the hair follicles.
Most need anywhere from three to six laser hair removal treatments,
but some might need up to eight. Skin type, coarseness
of hair as well as hair coloring all contribute
to the amount of treatments needed.
Once the laser hair removal treatments are completed, the hair will
most likely cease to grow back but if it does,
the thickness, coarseness and amount of hair
in the desired area will be significantly reduced.
Am I A Good Candidate?
The laser hair removal industry has continued
to grow with the advent of laser devices that
are able to treat dark and deeply tanned skin.
At first, the industry was confined to working
only with patients that had dark hair and light
skin. As new technology has been created, more
options have become available.
Newly manufactured lasers that utilize the nd:
yag laser are as efficient on dark skin (skin
types IV, V, VI) as the alexandrite and ruby lasers
are on white skin (skin types I, II, III). Laser
Hair Removal Clinics that offer this new technology
to their clients are now able to fulfill most
consumer needs. Lasers can be used on all consumers
today except for those with light hair (light
blonde, gray and red hair). These consumers will
still need electrolysis for their hair removal
needs. | 
