Laser Hair Removal
Traditional hair removal techniques, such as shaving, plucking, waxing and depilatory creams provide only temporary relief. Until recently, the only recognized way to remove hair permanently has been by electrolysis—which can be tedious, time-consuming and uncomfortable. Today, laser hair removal can be safely and effectively used on all skin types and most hair color.
How do Lasers Work?
Lasers are a form of light energy which target pigmented cells. With hair, the target is a pigment called melanin. The darker the hair the more melanin is present and the better response you going to get from laser hair removal. When a laser is directed on the unwanted hair, the laser energy is absorbed by the hair which creates a heat that destroys the hair root without causing damage to the skin. The light is quickly passed over the area, treating many hairs at one time.
Hair that is blonde, red, gray or white don't respond as well to laser hair removal -- even though there may be some hair reduction, there is usually not a long lasting, satisfactory result. Enhancing the treatment result by coloring the hair a darker pigment has NOT proven to be effective
The Life Cycle of a Hair Follicle
Each hair follicle lives in a cycle consisting of a long period of growth followed by a relatively short period of rest. During the rest period the hair is still attached to the hair follicle, but it is not growing. After the resting phase the hair is shed and a newer hair begins to grow, thus, starting a new hair growth cycle.
The growth cycle of a hair consists of 3 stages:
1. ANAGEN (GROWING) STAGE
This is the name for the growing period of a hair follicle. The anagen stage for the hair follicles in the scalp typically lasts about 3 to 5 years.
2. CATAGEN (INTERMEDIATE) STAGE
At the end of the growth period, hair follicles prepare themselves for the resting phase. This transition period of a hair follicle from growth to rest is called the catagen stage. This stage of the hair growth cycle usually lasts about 1 to 2 weeks or so. During the catagen phase the deeper portions of the hair follicles start to collapse.
3. TELOGEN (RESTING or SHEDDING) STAGE
This is the resting period of a hair follicle. It is usually 3 to 4 months in length and at the end of this period older hairs that have finished their life will fall out and newer hairs will begin to grow.
For laser hair treatment to be effective, the hairs must be in the anagen phase.
How Many Treatments Do I Need?
The number of treatments needed will depend upon the hair density, color, skin type and treatment area, together with ethnic background and hormones. Typically 6 or 8 treatments are required in a white skin and approximately 8 or 10 in a darker skin.
Laser Hair Removal: Do's & Dont's
1. DON'T tan before you're treatment. If you do have a tan, you will need to stay out of the sun, use bleaching cream and sunblock and then return for treatment when the tan is gone.
2. DON'T pluck, wax or have electrolysis for at least 6-8 weeks before the laser treatment -- these techniques pull the out the hair shaft from the follicle. Shaving and depilatory creams are allowed because they leave the hair shaft in the follicle. Since the laser targets the pigment in the hair shaft, it is essential that the hair shaft be present at the time of treatment.
3. DO make sure you tell us if you have a history of cold sores or herpes simplex. You will need to be put on oral antiviral drugs beginning the day before the treatment. This is especially important when treating the upper lip or the bikini line.
4. DO tell us if you have history of using Accutane. This must be stopped six months before laser hair removal
5. DO you shave before your treatment. It's important that the hair shaft (with pigment) be present in the follicle below the skin, but the hair NOT be present above the skin. If the external hair shaft is present, the laser will burn it and possibly burn your skin. If you do not want to shave, you may use a depilatory cream.
6. DO expect to see some swelling and redness around the hair follicles after your laser treatments. This is an indication of appropriate treatment. The sunburned feeling and swelling usually last 1-3 hours. Applying ice will give relief and reduce the swelling duration. A topical cortisone cream can also be used. The redness can last a few days, but can be covered up by applying makeup.
7. DO avoid sun exposure to the treated areas. Cover these areas with a high SPF sunblock when outdoors.
8. DO expect that it will take several treatments to achieve the desired results. Laser treatments are only effective in the ANAGEN phase of the hair growth cycle. The some of the hair in the treated area may be in different phases of the growth cycle and will need to be treated once they get to the anagen stage.
9. DON'T expect an ideal response if you have blond, red, gray or white hair. Using dye to darken the hair does not improve the response.
Laser Hair Removal on Darker Toned Skin
Laser hair removal on rich toned skinned individuals can be safely performed by qualified individuals. For richer toned asians, hispanic and african american skinned individuals need to be treated with Nd-YAG lasers. While we no longer offer YAG laser treatments at this time, we can recommend establishments with qualified individuals for our clients with richer skin tones.
A Note About Safety and Laser Hair Removal
New technologies and therapies have made laser hair removal procedures easier and less expensive for patients while the results continue to improve. Innovative approaches are allowing physicians to avoid some of the side effects that plagued earlier methods. On the other hand, the proliferation of laser hair removal and skin care spas has raised safety concerns.
With the increasing popularity and availability of these services, the incidence of injury from laser hair removal procedures are beginning to grow. While serious injury very rarely occurs (there have been two deaths associated with laser hair removal and the use of topical anesthetic), troublesome injuries requiring evaluation and treatment by a medical specialist are becoming more commonplace. Injuries can include scarring, pigmentation changes, and even blindness.
The North Carolina Medical Board considers laser hair removal to be laser surgery, and therefore "Hair-removal procedures using such technologies should be performed only by a physician or by an individual designated as having adequate training and experience by a physician who bears full responsibility for the procedure" (excerpt taken from the North Carolina Medical Board Position Statement). Visit the North Carolina Medical Board Position Statement to read more.
