of Milford
232 Boston Post Rd.
Milford, CT 06460
203-877-6568
What is Laser Hair Removal?
What is "Melanin"?
What are the advantages of Laser Hair Removal ?
What is Photoepilation?
Will Laser Hair Removal work for me?
What is Pseudofolliculitis?
What can I expect at my consultation?
What to expect during the laser hair removal procedure?
Will Laser Hair Removal work for me?
What are the limitations/disadvantages of Laser Hair Removal?
What areas can be treated with laser?
How does skin color affect the results?
What are the effects of tanning on laser hair removal results?
Does diet have an impact on the treatment?
How fast is laser hair removal?
Are there any side effects?
Is laser hair removal covered by insurance?
What are some pre-treatment instructions?
What are the post-treatment instructions?
How many treatments will I need?
What is Laser Hair Removal? What is "Melanin"? What are the advantages of Laser Hair Removal ? What is Photoepilation?
First of all, what is a laser? A laser is a device that produces light of a single color or wavelength. Lasers produce pulses of high-energy light that is taken up by the desired target. In the case of hair removal, the target is the melanin pigment contained within the hair shaft. Laser hair removal is the use of laser energy to produce long-term hair reduction. This is accomplished by producing heat in the hair, which is transferred to the hair follicle, which in-turn produces inflammation, and this inflammation sends a signal to the hair follicle to go into the resting (telogen) phase.
The tricky part of laser hair removal is targeting the hair shaft without damaging the melanin pigment in the surface of the skin. Thus the laser light has to be on long enough to heat the hair, but not too long to allow that heat to spread to the surrounding skin causing damage. In addition, the darker a patient’s skin, the more difficult it is to avoid injuring the surface of the skin while treating the hair. For this reason, there are three main types of hair removal lasers that are used today, and depending on the thickness of the hair and the color of the skin, one laser may provide benefits as compared to another.
In addition to lasers, intense pulsed light sources are also used for hair removal. These light sources do not emit a single color or wavelength of light, but emit light containing many colors. It is more difficult to predict the outcome and avoid complications when using light sources that contain many wavelengths of light.
Normally, a series of six to eight treatments are administered at four to eight week intervals depending upon the location of the hair. Following the initial series of treatments, subsequent treatments are administered, usually at longer and longer intervals. Some number of maintenance of treatments may be needed to keep all the hair away in a given area. After a single treatment, the hair in a given area is usually reduced in amount and thickness for a very long period of time. However, it may not be completely gone. To keep an area completely devoid of hair, maintenance treatments are always required. These maintenance treatments may eventually be required at only yearly intervals or even longer. This depends on the area being treated as well as the individual. As with any other traits in an individual, the frequency of maintenance treatments varies considerably from person to person.
Melanin exists in the plant, animal and protista kingdoms, where, among other functions, it serves as a dark pigment. This pigment is visible in human hair and is the primary determinant of human skin color. The process of laser hair removal works by directing the laser onto the skin, where the laser high-energy light becomes absorbed by melanin located in the hair follicles. Once absorbed, the light transforms into heat, destroying the entire part of the follicle responsible for the growth of new hair. Due to the fact that a laser targets melanin, the more melanin an individual has in his/her hair, the more effective a laser will be.
It is important to note that laser hair removal is a non-invasive method of photoepilation, which does not require needles or chemical creams. The advantages of laser hair removal include:
The technique is safe if performed properly. It is considered to be painless as compared to other methods. Many consumers have experienced long-lasting hair removal or even permanent hair reduction. The method is very useful for removing hair from large areas such as backs or legs.
Photoepilation destroys the hair follicle using controlled flashes of light. The light used is very powerful. The hair absorbs the light projected by the device and the intense heat destroys it. This heating is painless. In order to obtain the best results with photoepilation, we need all the light energy sent by the machine to be absorbed by the hair and not by the nearby tissues.
Will Laser Hair Removal work for me?
Due to the fact that a laser targets melanin, the more melanin an individual has in his/her hair, the more effective a laser will be. Therefore, someone with gray, red, or blonde hair is not as good a candidate for laser hair removal. In addition, the more melanin in your skin, the darker it looks. Since the laser does not distinguish between melanin in hair and melanin in skin, the more melanin present in the skin, the more the laser is going to target the skin rather than the hair. Therefore, someone with darker skin is not as good a candidate for laser hair removal. Light skin and dark hair are the best combination for laser hair removal. The more closely an individual's skin tone matches his/her hair color, the less likely he/she is to benefit from laser hair removal.
What is Pseudofolliculitis?
One of the more common problems you see in darker skinned patients, particularly when the hair is curly is pseudofolliculitis. Pseudofolliculitis is bumps in the area where the hair is and that problem improves very rapidly following laser treatment. In fact, after a single laser treatment pseudofolliculitis can improve tremendously even though all of the hair is not removed.
What can I expect at my consultation?
During an initial consultation, your laser technician will ask about your medical history, assesses your skin type and explains the risks and benefits of laser hair removal. To reduce the risk of complications, your laser technician may ask you to refrain from taking medications such as aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or dietary supplements such as niacin and vitamin E. If you have a tan from sun exposure or sunless tanning products, you must wait until the tan fades completely before you can undergo laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal is effective only on short, visible hair. Two to three days before the procedure, you shave the area to be treated, and allow it to grow to stubble. Avoid waxing or plucking the hair. Ask your laser technician about ways to minimize the discomfort of laser hair removal. He or she may advise you to apply a thick layer of an over-the-counter cream containing the anesthetic lidocaine to your skin 45 minutes before treatment.
What to expect during the laser hair removal procedure?
The length of a laser session may range from a few minutes to an hour or more depending on the size of the area being treated. How long the procedure takes depends on the area of the body involved. A small area such as the upper lip may take several minutes. A larger area such as the back may require several hours.
Since laser tends to treat hair follicles that are in an active growth phase, more than one treatment may be required to disable hair follicles that subsequently enter this growth phase.
During the procedure, laser light will be delivered through a hand held piece attached to a laser console. You may experience a stinging sensation as the laser pulse is delivered. To reduce discomfort, the cooling system automatically removes heat from the surface of your skin before, during and after the laser exposure. You should not need general anesthesia or pain medication, but a topical anesthetic cream may be applied to sensitive areas. The process can take from just a few minutes for an upper lip to several hours for a full back and legs.
Laser treatment itself may cause a slight tingling sensation. Most patients tolerate the procedure well. But because some areas of the body are more sensitive than others, topical anesthesia can be an option. The appearance of the treated area immediately after the laser session will vary from patient to patient depending on the extent of treatment and skin type. Immediate after-effects, if any, are minor. They may include redness and swelling, which disappear in a short time. Most people return to normal activity right away.
During the procedure, you wear goggles to protect your eyes from accidental exposure to laser light. The procedure causes a slight charring of your stubble. You may notice a strong odor of singed hair, which is normal. Afterwards, you may experience some temporary redness and swelling.
Will Laser Hair Removal work for me?
Due to the fact that a laser targets melanin, the more melanin an individual has in his/her hair, the more effective a laser will be. Therefore, someone with gray, red, or blonde hair is not as good a candidate for laser hair removal. In addition, the more melanin in your skin, the darker it looks. Since the laser does not distinguish between melanin in hair and melanin in skin, the more melanin present in the skin, the more the laser is going to target the skin rather than the hair. Therefore, someone with darker skin is not as good a candidate for laser hair removal. Light skin and dark hair are the best combination for laser hair removal. The more closely an individual's skin tone matches his/her hair color, the less likely he/she is to benefit from laser hair removal.
What are the limitations/disadvantages of Laser Hair Removal?
Although laser hair removal is an excellent treatment option, some patients may
experience hair regrowth. However, this hair is usually finer and lighter in color. Possible side effects, though very rare, may include damage to the surrounding healthy tissue in the form of scars, burns, redness and swelling. The process is also not as effective on unpigmented (gray) hairs and red or blonde hair.
What areas can be treated with laser?
Any area, except adjacent to the eye, where there is excess hair can be treated with laser. The most common areas requested are the face, upper lip, neck, chest, periareolar, underarms, back, abdomen, bikini line, and legs. Multiple treatment sessions are required, and results are variable.
How does skin color affect the results?
Light skin makes laser hair removal easier to perform. Fewer treatments are required, and better, faster results are obtained. People with darker skin can be treated, but results are slower, more sessions are required, and greater expertise is required on the part of the laser center. Laser hair removal must be individualized for each patient.
What are the effects of tanning on laser hair removal results? Does diet have an impact on the treatment? How fast is laser hair removal? Are there any side effects?
Having a tan increases your risk of side effects such as blistering and discoloration. Due to the fact that on a tanned skin, the laser tends to aim at the surrounding skin rather than the hair, scarring of the skin may also occur.
Diet is generally unrelated to laser hair removal treatment, except for Beta-carotene, which interferes with the treatment. Beta-carotene, which is normally found in carrots, vitamin A supplements, squash, and other vegetables, is deposited in the skin, producing a subtle orange or yellow color in the skin. This pigment absorbs laser energy, preventing it from reaching the hair follicle, and increasing the absorption of laser energy in the skin. Beta-carotene persists for months after ingestion. Patients interested in the best results from laser hair removal will benefit from discontinuation of the use of all forms of beta-carotene.
One of the main advantages of laser hair removal procedures is the speed of the treatment in combination with the long lasting results. For example, to remove hair from the back with laser hair removal usually takes about an hour. In contrast, a full back hair removal with electrolysis can take up to and over 125 hours.
In most cases there are no side effects associated with the procedure. However, 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 untanned. Blisters and burns are rare, but occasionally occur, particularly in patients with dark skin.
Is laser hair removal covered by insurance?
Laser hair removal is considered to be cosmetic and is therefore, not covered by insurance. The patient is responsible for payment, though financing options are usually available.
What are some pre-treatment instructions?
While the process in itself is considered to be very safe, individuals opting for laser hair removal should preferably follow the following pre-treatment tips:
. Laser treatment should be avoided when you have a suntan or sunburn
. Though not necessary, shaving before the treatment quickens treatment time. Shaving should be done to a degree where only a shadow or stubble remains visible
. Bleaching or plucking should be stopped for a couple of weeks before the treatment
. If you are likely to suffer from cold sores or have genital herpes, start taking appropriate medicines before the treatment.
What are the post-treatment instructions?
It is common to experience redness or bumps after the treatment. A cold compress often helps in this scenario. Apart from this, general precautions to take after laser hair removal treatment include:
. Minimal use of makeup and maximum use of moisturizer
. Use sun block of SPF 25 or more for a couple of weeks after the treatment
. If needed, the only other acceptable hair removal method during the treatment regimen is shaving
. Be aware that hair will continue to shed up to three weeks after the treatment. Help the hairs out by using a loofah or washcloth.
How many treatments will I need?
Multiple laser treatments are necessary for best results: Laser energy has its greatest effect on growing, or anagen hair follicles; as the dormant, or telogen hairs become active, usually within 3 weeks to 3 months, some new hair growth will be observed. Usually at least 4-8 treatments over the course of a year will be necessary for satisfactory, long-lasting results. The female face, armpits, and bikini lines are areas which respond fastest to laser treatments- backs, arms and legs usually need more treatments over time. The scalp is very resistant to treatment. Repeated laser treatments induce a permanent reduction in the amount of visible hair: Although current studies have shown a "permanent" reduction in hair growth, some hair regrowth may occur over time, although this is usually much slower and much finer than before treatment. Imagine a garden overgrown with weeds-after the first few weeding sessions, only occasional "touch-ups" are needed. True "permanent" "total" hair removal may be possible with repeated treatments over time.
Call us for a free consultation: 203-877-6568
Laser Hair Removal of Milford
232 Boston Post Road
Milford, CT 06460
203-877-6568
Email Us: info@laserhairremovalofmilford.com