Laser Hair Removal

Lasers can help eliminate hair from just about anywhere on the body. Some of the more popular areas from which to have hair removed are:

Safety

Lasers have been used in medicine for a wide range of treatments since the early 1960s by many specialties, including dermatology and plastic surgery. In the hands of a trained healthcare professional, the use of a laser is safe and effective.

How It Works

The laser generates a very high energy beam of light that comes in contact with hair. The hair's pigment absorbs the light and turns it into heat. That heat destroys the surrounding hair follicle. Since the laser only removes hair in its growth phase, your dermatologist must wait until more hair moves into its growth phase to treat it. As a result, it generally takes several treatments to get rid of all the unwanted hair.

How Is It Done and Does It Hurt?

The amount of hair that can be removed depends on the type of laser used, which, in turn, depends on the patient's skin and hair color. Depending on the type of laser used, hair can be removed from a small area, such as a chin, or a large area, such as an entire leg. Some types of lasers make it possible to remove hair from large areas of skin very quickly. Unlike waxing, the hair does not have to be a particular length before it can be treated.

The procedure is generally performed over several sessions, right in the doctor's office. It can be uncomfortable, but is not especially painful. Some patients have said that it feels like a rubber band being snapped against their skin. That discomfort is usually tolerable over small areas, but for larger areas or in sensitive patients, the dermatologist can apply a topical anesthetic beforehand to eliminate any uncomfortable sensations.

What To Expect Following Treatment

Some people may notice some skin irritation or small scabs after treatment, and in rare cases, the procedure can cause blistering. In most cases, however, patients are able to go right back to work after laser hair removal.
Depending on the area treated, some people do not need another treatemnt for one to three months.

Is Laser Hair Removal For You?

Although laser hair removal is generally safe, some people make better candidates for the procedure than others. Because the skin's pigment turns the laser's light into heat, dark-skinned or tanned people need to be treated with extreme caution, since they are more prone to side effects and pigmentation changes. Although newer types of lasers may help to eliminate this problem in the future, for the time being, dark-haired, light-skinned people seem to get the best results with the fewest side effects.
People who may not make ideal candidates include those being treated with isotretinion, those prone to keloid scarring, and those with suppressed immune systems, or those susceptible to herpes infections in the treatment area.