 Laser Hair Removal
At the Vein & Skin Care Institute, we believe any time is the right time to begin Laser Hair Removal Treatment. We hope we can answser some of your questions here, however, please keep in mind each indivdual is unique and it's always best to call us to set up a free consultation to discuss your specific needs.
How is hair removed with a laser?
Am I a candidate for laser hair removal?
What will it cost me for laser hair removal?
Is it safe?
Does it matter what color hair I have?
How long will a treatment take?
What areas can be treated?
Is laser hair removal permanent?
What does it feel like?
What are the advantages of laser hair removal
What are my other options besides laser hair removal?
Can I have a tan while having laser hair removal?
How important is experience when selecting a laser hair removal facility?
Are there any adverse treatment reactions?
Can men have laser hair removal?
Can children have laser hair removal?
Can African-Americans have laser hair removal?
Myth #1: Guarantees in laser hair removal
Myth #2: Discount laser hair removal clinics
Myth #3: Laser hair removal limitation of effectiveness
How is hair removed with a laser?
The laser emits a powerful beam of invisible light, which passes harmlessly through the skin, but is absorbed by the hair follicle. By selectively absorbing the laser energy, the hair follicles are disabled, impairing their ability to grow hair.
Laser hair removal is most effective for hair that is in the anagen phase. Anagen is the growth phase of hair. Since hair grows in cycles, not all of the hairs are in anagen at any given time. Additional sessions are necessary to catch all of the hairs when they are in anagen. Besides the different stages of hair growth, there are other factors that influence the effectiveness of laser hair removal; hormonal influences, age, type of skin, hair characteristics, sex, etc.
Anagen Phase I
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Catagen - Phase 2
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Telogen - Phase 3
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Am I a candidate for laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is not for everyone. The absolute requirement is that one's hair must be darker than the surrounding skin. Additionally very darkly pigmented people absorb too much laser energy in their skin and are not candidates. Tanned patients with light hair are not candidates. Tanned patients with dark hair must wait until their tan fades before they can be treated
What will it cost me for laser hair removal?
Treatment cost varies with the size of the area treated. Experienced laser centers, which have developed expertise in laser hair removal, Individual consultation with the laser center is necessary to obtain exact pricing.
Is it safe?
Yes! All lasers located in Vein & Skin Care Institute have FDA approval. The laser parameters were carefully designed by studying the anatomy of the hair follicle and precisely matching the laser light and pulse duration to the follicle size, depth, and location to inhibit re-growth of the hair. The treated area may become slightly pink or red afterwards. This will go away within a few minutes to a few hours and in some cases a few days. When cold packs are used the skin usually goes back to normal soon after treatment. The energy that the laser utilizes is a wavelength of light, which means, simply put, the light that penetrates the skin is passive, it passes through your body and does not leave a residual.
Does it matter what color hair I have?
Dark hair absorbs more laser energy and is easier to treat. Coarse dark hair responds the best to laser treatment. Light hair is more difficult to treat. Blonde or red hair is very difficult to treat. Multiple treatment sessions are required, and results are variable. Blonde or red hair usually contains pheomelanin, which absorbs laser energy less avidly than the eumelanin, pigment that is present in black or brown hair.
How long will a treatment take?
Men:
- Back 1 ½ -3 hours
- Shoulders 10-20-minutes
Women
- Underarms 10 minutes
- Bikini 15 minutes
- Upper Lip Less than 1 minute
- Chin 2 - 3 minutes
- Legs 1 1/2 - 3 hours
What areas can be treated?
Any area, except adjacent to the eye, where there is excess hair. The most common areas requested are the face, upper lip, neck, chest, underarms, back, abdomen, bikini line, and legs.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
Waxing, shaving, & plucking all produce hair removal, which is temporary. Several of the newer lasers have clearly documented that there is permanent hair reduction after each treatment. The FDA has approved three lasers for permanent hair reduction, and more results with additional lasers are pending. The results tend to be additive, i.e. more treatments lead to greater degrees of permanent hair reduction. For any given patient results cannot be precisely predicted. Results can be variable, even with the best lasers.
What does it feel like?
The treatment consists of a series of laser pulses, accompanies by a tingling or slight burning sensation. Most patients describe the feeling is like a pinch on the skin or a series of rubber band snaps. A topical anesthetic is used as well as a cooling unit to help alleviate the uncomfortable feeling.
What are the advantages of laser hair removal?
- Fewer treatments required
- Shorter course of treatment
- Greater Coverage
- Suitable for large areas
- Accuracy
- Non-Invasive
What are my other options besides laser hair removal?
- Shaving: The simple way, it does not affect the coarseness, thickness, growth rate or cycle of the shaved hair.
- Waxing: This procedure can cover a large area at a time and results last a month or more, but it's painful and can cause allergic reactions and inflammation of the hair follicle.
- Depilatory Creams: Remove hair from the surface of the skin. This only lasts for several days. This procedure may cause an allergic reaction and skin irritations.
- Tweezing: It is tedious, painful, and impractical for large areas.
- Electrolysis: This procedure involves inserting a needle into each hair follicle and applying an electrical current. Expertly used, it can be successful in eliminating hair permanently. It is tedious and time consuming.
- Bleaching: This procedure temporarily colors the hair. An allergic reaction and skin irritation may occur.
Can I have a tan while having laser hair removal?
Tanning and laser hair removal are not compatible. Tanning prior to the procedure will necessitate turning the laser power down, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the treatment.
How important is experience when selecting a laser hair removal facility?
Experience is crucial in selecting the proper laser parameters to use for any given area for any individual patient. Centers with the most experience generally have the best results.
Are there any adverse treatment reactions?
Pigmentary change of the skin treated can occur, including either dark or light areas. Pigmentary changes may persist for months, but are almost always temporary. They are very rare in patients with fair skin who are un-tanned. Blisters and burns are rare but occasionally occur, particularly in patients with dark skin.
Can Men have Laser Hair Removal?
Men are you tired of shaving or waxing chest, shoulders or back hair? Want to be smooth and cool all summer? You don't have to be an athlete to benefit from laser hair removal! We treat all body areas, including the back, chest, shoulders, abdomen, beard, arms and legs. We can even remove hair from "hard to treat" areas like the ears, nostrils, fingers and toes!
Can children have laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is successful for children but it does require their cooperation.
Can African-Americans have laser hair removal?
The darker one's skin, the more difficult it is to obtain adequate results from laser hair removal. The darker one's skin the more sessions one requires and the greater the chance of an adverse result. Laser hair removal can be successful for African-Americans with light skin and coarse, dark hair.
Myth #1: Guarantees in laser hair removal.
It is impossible to predict the exact result a patient will achieve with laser hair removal, especially with regard to how many sessions a given individual will require. Many of the hair removal clinics, which guaranteed results have gone out of business. Like most reputable medical practices, the most established laser hair removal practices do not guarantee results.
Myth #2: Discount laser hair removal clinics.
Established medical centers with excellent reputations do not discount their fees. Patients know their reputations and rely upon their experience and expertise. The same is true for laser hair removal.
Myth #3: Laser hair removal limitation of effectiveness.
Contrary to the statements of those unfamiliar with this new technology, laser hair removal is effective when properly performed for the great majority of candidates. Non-responders are usually limited to those with blonde or red hair.
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