How is hair
removed by laser treatments?
Laser light targets and disables hair follicles without harming the skin. Only
the hairs in the active growth phase are eliminated in one session so several
treatments are required in order to treat each new growth cycle. The number
of treatments varies depending on the hair density, hair color and skin type.
Less hair grows back after each treatment. Laser hair removal is effective
and safe with any skin type, even dark or tanned skin. Laser treatments also
correct folliculitis, shaving bumps or ingrown hairs which affect some people
with dark hair.
How often
are hair removal treatments needed?
Every 6 to 8 weeks.
How many
treatments are needed for hair removal?
Most people require 4 to 6 treatments. Results may vary depending on skin color,
hair color, texture, distribution and area to be treated.
What can
be expected after treatments?
A little redness or irritation is not unusual, but only lasts about 30 minutes.
How much
time for one hair removal session?
It depends on the surface area to be treated, usually 10 to 30 minutes per
treatment session.
What forms
of therapy are available for removal of unwanted hair?
Mechanical methods of hair removal provide only temporary results. These
include shaving, waxing, tweezing, and epilation. These methods remove the
hair but leave the hair follicles intact. The hair re-grows within one to four
weeks in most cases.
Electrolysis is able to provide
long term hair removal using electricity. A needle is inserted
into each individual hair follicle then electricity is applied.
This method is painful, time-consuming, and expensive. Electrolysis
can sometimes cause folliculitis, infection, or scarring.
To be successful multiple treatments are required. Typically
once weekly for up to one year.
Medical lasers are available that
can effectively treat the hair follicles using laser light.
They can disable the follicles so hair will not grow while
avoiding damage to the surrounding skin. This method is more
efficient, rapid and safe. It is also more comfortable. Multiple
treatments are usually needed: on average between three and
six treatments are sufficient.
How does
the GentleLase remove hair?
The light emitted from the GentleLase is absorbed mainly by the melanin
in the hair follicles. It is delivered in a very short pulse (3/1000 second)
which disables the hair follicle without heating up the surrounding skin. The
laser light does not break or burn the skin.
Hair follicles respond best to laser
treatment when in their active growth phase. 50 to 85% of
the hair follicles are in the active phase at any one time.
Some hair will grow from remaining hair follicles several
weeks after treatment. This hair is usually finer, lighter
and thinner after each treatment. Treatments repeated at
four to eight week intervals give the best long-term results.
Three to five treatments are typically required. Some patients
may require more.
Are all hair
removal lasers the same?
Several early hair removal lasers had variable results. The most advanced
systems now in use are the Ruby and Alexandrite lasers. These are more simple,
effective, comfortable than the early lasers. The GentleLase is an excellent
Alexandrite hair removal laser. It has dynamic skin cooling which protects
the skin and makes the procedure more comfortable.
Is it safe?
What are the potential complications?
The GentleLase's Alexandrite laser is safe and effective. Operators are
licensed health care professionals well trained in the proper and safe use
of the laser.
Treatment with the Alexandrite laser
for patients with naturally dark skin or tanned skin can
produce temporary irregular darkening or lightening of the
skin color, although this is infrequent. This usually goes
away in three to six weeks. Some patients may experience
a temporary skin reaction similar to sunburn (redness, puffiness,
or peeling). A lightening of the skin, could occasionally
occur. The light from the GentleLase does not cause skin
cancer.
The Lyra YAG laser does not generally
produce any temporary skin tone changes. As the YAG wavelength
finds the skin transparent to the light, very little energy
is absorbed by the skin. Rather, the energy is absorbed by
the melanin in the hair itself, instead of the skin. It is
for this reason that tanned, brown, or even black skinned
persons can be effectively treated.
The selection of lasers used is
usually left to the experience the Cadiz Medical Staff. But,
discussion and patient choices are very important to any
form of treatment.
Does it hurt?
The laser emits only light. You may feel a tingling or snapping sensation
like a rubber band. There is no bleeding and no open wound is created. The
GentleLase skin cooling system can reduce any discomfort. For areas that are
more sensitive, an anesthetic cream can be used. Most patients find the treatment
sufficiently comfortable without this. No pain medication is needed.
Is it Permanent?
The GentleLase produces long term improvement through progressive
hair reduction. Lasers have been used for hair removal for just
a few years. Once a satisfactory level of hair removal has been
achieved, the results seem to persist for years. Studies have
shown persistence of the improvement for years. But, due
to body chemistry changes and/or hormonal influences we cannot
not guarantee permanence. Your individual long-term results cannot be known.
And, if you request touch-up treatments in the future, we have special pricing
for that.
What preparations
are required?
You may call to schedule a consultation with us. Your skin and hair type
will be determined. Your medical history will be reviewed for any history of
skin problems, medications, keloids or scarring, cold sores, etc. Laser hair
removal will be explained fully and all of your questions answered.
Some patients will
need a "test
patch" to determine the best laser settings for their skin
type. A small area will be treated at varying settings and
rechecked up to one week later. This may be done at the same
time as your consultation, and a fee is required for this
test.
For best
results you should:
Avoid all forms of tanning for four to six weeks prior to treatment Use
SPF 15 sunscreen when outdoors for 4-6 weeks before treatment. Cold sores should
be treated and healed before treatment. Darker skin types may need to use a
lightening cream for one month before treatment.
Persons who have had problems with
scarring or keloids in the past, or problems with skin darkening
from inflammation, may not be good candidates for laser hair
removal. Those who have taken Accutane for acne should discontinue
it for six months before laser treatments.
What happens
after the treatment?
Within several minutes, the skin may become slightly red and puffy, like
mild sunburn. This goes away over several hours to one day. The laser does
not cut the skin in any way. No bandages are required and most people return
to normal activity immediately.
How much
does the treatment cost?
The cost of laser hair removal is dependent upon the size and number of
body areas to be treated. Since repeat treatments are usually required, treatment
plans are designed with this in mind.
The average patient may require
three to five treatments. Some patients may require more.
Laser hair removal is not usually covered by medical insurance.
Fees for laser hair removal are substantially less than fees
for electrolysis when the whole course of treatment is considered.
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