Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal technique was made commercially available in mid 1990s. It is a safe technique for removing unwanted hairs. It is now widely accepted technique in dermatology. Laser hair removal technique is still getting better with researches going on it. It can now be used for any skin type and effectively removes hair from body and face. People, especially women want to get rid of unwanted hairs from their body. Unwanted hairs may be present at legs, arms, back, chest, face, upper lip, and chin or bikini line. Laser technique can be used for removing hair from almost any part of the body. Laser hair removal does not remove hairs permanently but the person can have longer hair free periods which may extend up to many years. Hair removal by this method may take various sittings.

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is clinically performed procedure which makes use of laser beam to remove hairs. It is intense and pulsating beam of light which used to remove hairs. A light beam is targeted on the skin in this technique. This laser beam in fact, targets the dark pigment, melanin, present in the hair. In effort to reach melanin, laser beam hits hair follicle where melanin is stored and this intense beam instantly destroys the hair follicle. Hair follicle is the part where hair originates. In many cases, hair regrowth is reduced and for getting longer hairless period, several treatments are needed.

What are the risks involved with Laser Hair Removal Technique:

Success of this technique depends upon the hair and skin color. Laser hair removal works best for the dark, coarse hairs. People with light skin and dark hairs are the best candidates for this technique. But newer lasers are working for darker skins also. People with white, blonde, light brown or light red hairs can get the benefit of this technique.

For getting this procedure done on you, choose only a skilled and experienced medical expert. If you select the clinic and doctor carefully, there are rare chances of getting any complication.

Some possible side effects:

Darkening of the skin: Sometimes skin gets temporarily dark but in some cases, it becomes permanently dark.

Lightening of skin: Dark colored people sometimes have light colored patches on the skin. Light skinned people do not face this situation.

Sometimes hairs regrow after treatment or some hairs are resistant to laser treatment.

Few people may experience temporary crusting or scabbing.

New hair may grow near to the treated hairs but they may be lighter and finer. These can be successfully treated by more sessions of laser treatment.

Some Preparation before Treatment:

Talk to your Doctor: Before considering any laser hair removal treatment, talk to your doctor about possible risks and expectation from the treatment. Doctor will take into account your medical history and other conditions. He may take photographs of the area to be treated from different angles. Doctors use these photographs for assessment.

Avoid Sun Exposure: Before undergoing any laser hair removal treatment, make sure that you do not have any sun tan. If you have tan, let it fade away first before treatment. Also avoid any kind of sun exposure for 4-6 weeks prior to the treatment.

Avoid Waxing or Plucking: For most effective laser hair removal treatment, hairs should be shaved short. But do not pluck or wax hairs or go for electrolysis three weeks before the treatment.

What Happens during and after the Treatment?

Hairs are removed in this procedure by passing laser beam through the hair follicles. Intense heat produced by the laser beam destroys the hair follicle where the hair originates. It reduces the growth of hair.

While procedure is going on, you are made to wear goggles to protect your eyes from laser beam. A topical anesthetic is applied to reduce the stinging sensation occurred during the procedure. You can feel the strong smell of singed hair due to charring of stubbles.

Time taken is according to the amount of hair to be removed. It may take from 15 minutes to several hours.

After the treatment, there is temporary redness or swelling which soothes after few hours. If you get crusting of skin, apply petroleum jelly over it.

After Treatment care:

• Do not scrub or rub the treated area.
• Avoid sun exposure for several weeks after the treatment
• Avoid any exertion for a day after the treatment.