Laser Hair Removal - Forum

Laser Hair Removal Information

Laser hair removal is a fast and easy way to permanently remove unwanted hair anywhere. 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 Laser Hair Removal 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 hair 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 the laser 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.

How Long Does It Take?

The amount of time a laser hair removal procedure takes depends on the area being treated. An entire back can be done in 1 to 1 1/2 hours, underarms in 1-2 minutes, and an upper lip in less than 10 seconds. These are just a few examples. Here is a comparison of time between laser and electrolysis for a single hair removal procedure:

Does Laser Hair Removal 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 a rubber band snap 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?

Results for laser hair removal will not be immediate. Individuals will need to receive multiple treatments in order to completely disable the hair follicles. Most need anywhere from 3 to 6 laser hair removal treatments, but some might need up to 8. Skin type, coarseness of hair as well as hair coloring all contribute to the amount of treatments needed.

Once the 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.