Laser hair removal treatment is an FDA-approved treatment to achieve long-lasting or permanent hair removal. Every person is different and may respond differently to treatment, so results are generally not guaranteed by clinics. Laser hair removal is considered cosmetic, so it is often not covered by health insurance.
Description
Laser hair removal uses intense pulsed light technology to permanently target and remove hair on selected areas. The laser targets the pigment or melanin in the hair. The most ideal candidate to benefit from laser hair removal is a fair-skinned person with dark and coarse hair. Almost all skin types can now be treated, but those patients may require more treatments, and the effect of the treatment may vary. The laser treatment is most effective in the anagen (active growth) phase.
Procedure
When a person is preparing to undergo a laser hair removal session, she will need to take extra precautions. She should avoid tanning, wear sun block and avoid hair removal that removes the hair from the root such as plucking or waxing. You can shave, bleach, trim and use depilatory creams before treatment. A person can also opt to use a numbing cream prior to the session to minimize discomfort. Certain areas are more sensitive to the treatment than others. The technician will most likely remove the hair and wear protective eyeglasses while passing a handpiece slowly over the area being treated. The length of the procedure generally depends on the size and location of the area containing the hair to be removed. The skin can stay red and irritated for days following the procedure.
Complications
Complications and side effects of laser hair removal treatment include limited results, blistering, darkening or lightening of the skin, scarring and rare stimulation of hair growth. The procedure can be painful, especially in sensitive areas. In general, patients require three to six treatments spread apart four to 12 weeks at a time. The procedure can be more costly up front than non-permanent methods of hair removal. There is also a rare risk of bacterial infections, requiring antibiotics. The technician will most likely advise avoiding direct sunlight to the treated area for a designated length of time.
Types Of Lasers
There are five different FDA-approved laser types---alexandrite, ruby, pulsed diode, intense pulsed light source and Nd:YAG. The alexandrite and ruby lasers are effective on dark hair and can be safer for dark skin than the ruby laser. The pulsed diode laser is effective on dark, coarse hair and will at least delay hair growth. The intense pulsed light source is effective on fine and coarse dark hair and can potentially work on dark skin. The Nd:YAG laser has not demonstrated permanent hair removal but can temporarily remove light hairs and should be safe for all skin types. This laser causes the least amount of discomfort.
Treatment Areas
Laser hair removal can target almost any area on the body, except for near the eyes. Commonly treated areas include the face, upper lip, chest, breasts, underarms, back, abdomen, bikini area and legs.
Member Comments