Those tired of shaving, waxing and plucking their unwanted hairs may consider Laser Hair Removal. It is one of the safest and most effective treatments for permanently reducing the number of hairs.
Light therapy with the neodymium-YAG laser or IPL is based on selective photothermolysis: the optical energy is absorbed by dark melanin pigment in the hair shaft and converted into thermic energy, permanently destroying the hair follicle without harming the surrounding skin tissue.
Hair color and skin type
For people with lighter skin and fine hair, an Alexandrite laser is most suitable. This type of laser treatment delivers a light beam that targets the pigment in the hair follicles to reduce growth. It takes several sessions for a noticeable and long lasting effect.
For those with darker skin and coarse hair, the Diode laser is a great option. During this treatment, a specialist moves the device over your skin to emit light at targeted areas of hair growth. The light absorbed by the melanin in the hair follicles causes them to heat up, which disables their ability to grow more hair.
Laser hair removal is an alternative to shaving, plucking and waxing. This treatment is quick and convenient and can remove unwanted hair from your legs, back, arms, face, chest or bikini line. During a consultation, a practitioner can recommend the best method to treat your specific skin tone and hair color. This will ensure the best results.
Target area
Laser hair removal is a quick, painless, and permanent treatment for unwanted hair on the face, arms, legs, back, and chest. Unlike waxing and electrolysis, which can leave scarring on the skin’s surface, laser treatments destroy the root of the hair so that it will never grow back.
The best type of laser to use for hair removal is the Q-switched Nd: YAG laser. It adjusts the wavelength of light to selectively target melanin pigment and avoid the surrounding tissue and blood vessels.
During a laser treatment, the practitioner will move the device over the area you want to treat. The laser’s focused beam of light will heat the melanin in the hair follicle and destroy it, preventing future hair growth. The procedure can take as little as 15 minutes or up to an hour, depending on the size of the area being treated. Immediately after your treatment, you may have slight redness and swelling, but this will resolve in a few hours.
Safety
Laser hair removal is considered a safe treatment procedure when performed by trained professionals. However, like any other type of medical treatment it is not without risks. In most cases, the risks associated with laser hair removal are minimal and may be minimized by taking a few precautions.
The most significant risk is from injury to the eyes, which can occur when the laser beam hits a reflective surface. For example, metal cabinets and wall coverings can reflect the laser light back into the eye.
The best way to reduce this risk is to keep the laser treatment room free of these reflective surfaces. The laser hair removal room should also be free of flammable materials. A fire extinguisher should be placed near the electrical equipment, and all staff should know how to use it. A regular safety audit should be done, and the results should be documented. These audits should be supervised by the LSO, and should be conducted on a schedule determined by the facility.
Results
Laser hair removal is a permanent way to reduce the amount of unwanted hair. However, it will not remove all of the hair completely and it may take several treatments to reach your goal of smooth skin.
The treatment works by delivering pulses of light energy that penetrate the surface of the skin and destroy the hair follicle. This will lead to the thinning and eventual removal of the hair follicle over time. The treatment is much less painful than waxing or tweezing and can feel similar to a light sting or pin prick.
Studies have shown that the use of an 810 nm novel scanning diode laser in patients with a wide range of skin types is safe and ef cient at removing unwanted hair. It has also been demonstrated to be effective at reducing hair growth with results that are sustained up to six months after the last treatment. The number of treatments that are required will vary from patient to patient based on their hair growth cycle and the location of the unwanted hair.