Laser hair removal is a noninvasive treatment used to permanently reduce unwanted hair.
If you're considering laser hair removal...
Melanin pigment within the hair follicle is the target of the laser beam. The marked melanin is only readily available during a portion of the hair growth cycle. At any one time, only a percentage of the hairs are in the vulnerable portion of the cycle. Therefore, to effectively reach all the hairs in any area, it will most likely take more than one treatment. The target of the laser beam is melanin which exists in the skin, more so in those of darker skin color or those who have recently tanned. Newer generation lasers have been designed to safely bypass this skin melanin and to safely and effectively treat patients of all skin types.
Is hair loss permanent?
Some current research is suggesting that in properly selected and treated patients, the hair loss may be permanent. However, long-term studies are pending. Until permanent hair loss can be proven scientifically, the FDA has limited companies to declaring that lasers can achieve "permanent hair reduction."
As laser technology continues to improve it is becoming increasing clear that laser hair removal is rapidly becoming the best option for permanent reduction. When you consider that the path to permanency requires only a few treatments instead of years the benefits become obvious. To determine if you are proper candidate or to answer more questions about laser hair removal please give us a call.
Depending upon the size and the number of areas being treated, a single laser hair removal session can take anywhere from several minutes to several hours to complete. Though a topical anesthetic may be used for those who are very sensitive to pain, anesthesia is not required in most cases.
There is generally very little downtime associated with laser hair removal and most patients can return to their normal activities right away. Some temporary swelling or reddening may occur which usually clears up within a few days. Sun exposure will need to be limited for a period of time. Patients with dark or tanned skin may not respond well to treatment and may have an increased risk of damage to the skin. Otherwise, there are few complications associated with the procedure.
Frequently Asked Laser Hair Removal Questions
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