Laser Hair Removal

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure that removes unwanted body hair with intense pulse laser energy. This minimally invasive procedure removes hair through a series of treatments, while leaving the surrounding skin and tissue unharmed. Through this safe, painless and convenient procedure, patients can enjoy long-term hair removal from nearly any area of their body.

Laser hair removal is most commonly performed on the face, upper lip, neck, chest, underarms, back, abdomen, bikini line and legs. It can be performed on virtually any area with excess hair growth.

Candidates for Laser Hair Removal

The ideal patient for laser hair removal is someone with excessive hair growth, who is unhappy with the appearance of the hair and seeking a long-term, simple solution.

Causes of excessive hair growth include:

• Puberty
• Pregnancy
• Menopause
• Heredity
• Medication
• Disease

Other patients with normal hair growth, who are sick of constantly shaving, waxing or plucking their unwanted hair may benefit from this procedure as well. This procedure is usually most effective on patients with dark hair and light skin, although most patients are able to achieve successful results. It is important for patients to have realistic expectations about laser hair removal in order to be satisfied with their results.

Laser Hair Removal Treatment

During the laser hair removal procedure, a topical anesthetic will be applied to the area to prevent pain and discomfort. Your dermatologist moves the laser across the targeted area with a hand held device to treat the area with intense laser pulses. Hair follicles in the active growth state are disabled. Patients may experience the sensation of a rubber band snapping the skin during this procedure, but most are able to tolerate the procedure well.

There are several different types of lasers that available for hair removal, including:

• Alexandrite
• Diode
• Light-based sources
• Nd: YAG
• Ruby

Dr. Callender will decide which laser is best for treating your skin to achieve the most successful results.

How Many Laser Hair Removal Treatments Will I Need?

Multiple treatments will are necessary in order to achieve optimal results. Since hair grows in cycles, one treatment will not be able to destroy all hair follicles. Most patients experience effective results after three to five treatments, spaced four to eight weeks apart. The length and quantity of treatments depends upon the location of the hair and the patient’s individual response to treatment. Patients who wish to remove hair in between treatment sessions can shave the treated area if they desire, but should not use any other type of temporary hair removal.

Recovery from laser Hair Removal

After laser hair removal, patients may experience some redness and swelling in the treated area, but these symptoms usually go away on their own within a few days. Patients can return to work and other normal activities immediately after treatment. Patients should avoid excessive sun exposure for some time after laser hair removal.

Laser Hair Removal Results

The results of the laser hair removal procedure are visible immediately, but hair may continue to grow until the full course of treatment is complete.

Although the results of laser hair removal may not be permanent, they are longer than the results of other hair removal methods. Through multiple treatment sessions, long-term results may be possible for many patients.

Laser Hair Removal side effects and Risks

Although laser hair removal is a safe procedure, there is always a risk of complication associated with any type of medical procedure.Some of these complications may include:

• Lightening or darkening of the skin
• Scarring
• Change in skin texture
• Blistering
• Incomplete removal of hair
• Regrowth of hair

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