Laser Hair Removal Facts and Information

  
The Laser Hair Removal Process
by: Aimee Smyth

Laser Hair Removal is becoming more popular then ever for the removal of unwanted body hair. Before making the decision to go forward with laser hair removal it is important to understand the removal process and to determine if you would make an ideal candidate for laser hair removal.
Below we are going to talk about some of the most common questions asked before making a decision to get laser hair removal done.


Is it safe?

Yes, the removal process is safe. Some patients may notice pinkness or redness to the skin on the treated area. Most commonly the color will go back to normal in a few minutes up to a few hours. In a few rare cases it may take a few days for the normal skin color to appear. The skin color variation will depend greatly on the process used during the hair removal as there is more than one process available.


What is the laser hair removal process?

The laser hair removal process works by sending a beam of laser light to a group of hair follicles with enough power to disable or destroy the root, but not enough power to harm the surrounding skin. The laser beam finds the hair follicles by targeting melanin (the substance that gives skin and hair dark color). People that have dark hair and light skin are the ideal candidate for laser hair removal. However, it is important to note that the laser process will not work on those people that have red, grey or real blonde hair.


Is the hair removal process painful?

The answer to this question varies greatly by patient as everyone feels pain differently and no two people are the same. Some patients have said it feels like a pinch while other patients noted it feels like a rubber band snapping your skin. For the most part most patients have noted mild discomfort and in those cases the doctor will usually provide the patient with a mild anesthetic during the hair removal process.


How long is the hair removal process? And how many treatments will I need?

Both of these questions don’t have a single definitive answer. The length of time for removal will depend on the area being treated. How many treatments needed also have many different variables to consider making the answer different per case - skin tone, hair coloring and the coarseness of hair are all variable that help determine how many hair removal treatments will be needed.


While these are our opinions on the laser hair removal process, it is best to do your research and find out the specifics for your removal process. It’s always best to get more then one opinion and be thorough before making your decision.

About The Author

Aimee Smyth
Aimee is the owner of My Laser Hair Removal a site that provides information about laser hair removal and what to expect during the process. For more information, visit her at My Laser Hair Removal.info.

Top of Page





Laser Hair Removal Frequently Asked Questions
by: Fern Kuhn, RN

There is such excitement in this cutting edge technology for laser hair removal. In order to decide if you want to use laser hair removal, you can check online for research and then you would need a doctor consultation.

Why should you use a laser to remove hair?

Lasers can target pigmented hair while leaving the skin around the laser treatment unaffected. With each pulse of the laser, you can treat many hairs. Each pulse only takes a fraction of a second. Compare this with electrolysis and you will see that laser hair removal is much more precise and faster.

Does laser hair removal really work?

The results are quite predictable. 90% of patients usually have permanent hair loss. 10% percent of patients, no matter what you do, hair loss just does not happen. Usually after each session, most of the treated hairs by the laser fallout. After about six weeks the hair follicles that have survived gradually start growing back. But on the average with each session, approximately one third of the hairs’ treated never return back and, therefore, are permanently removed.

The remaining hairs tend to be lighter in color and also smaller in size. Patients typically, on the average, are satisfied with three to five treatments separated by two months apart. Patients that have darker colored skin may need more sessions as their skin may require lower energy levels in order to be a safe treatment.

Will it work for me individually?

A consultation is required to determine if you really are a suitable candidate for a laser hair removal procedure. Dark, coarse hairs on any part of the body usually respond well. As a rule, very fine or very lightly colored hair whether it's white, gray, or red, do not respond well to treatment.

Patients with dark complexions really need to be treated cautiously because the dark skin interferes with the laser light even before reaching the hair. With the latest technology available, there is some flexibility to treat a wide variety of patients effectively and safely.

What should I do before treatments?

Prior to treatments some protection from the sun is recommended. Usually for at least a month in advance. Tan skin increase the pigmentation and this can compete with the laser light. This can result in less effective sessions with a higher chance of side effects. The hairs in the areas that you want treated must be short but visible. It is very important not to pluck or wax the hair for a month prior to the treatments.

How long does each session usually last?

The treatment is relatively quick but also depends on the amount of hair to be treated. The laser can treat the hairs about the size of a quarter every second. A small area like the upper lip can be treated in less than a minutes, while large areas like the back or the legs may need up to an hour.

Will it hurt?

An anesthetic cream is usually recommended to numb the skin before treatments. This you will need to speak with the doctor and he can discuss with you which cream would be effective. The procedure is usually tolerated well with a mild sensation of heat tingling or stinging.

What should I expect after the Treatment?

The laser hair treatment area looks and feels much like a sunburn that usually last one to two days. You can use a cool compress and moisturizers. The area treated pretty much is usually pain-free the day after. Makeup can usually be used after the treatment unless there are blisters. Blisters, though not common, are more likely to happen in patients with darker skin. The lasered hair falls out over a month period and should not frighten you. Also, you should use sun protection for a month afterwards so it won’t change the pigment in your skin. Changes that sometimes may occur, which are permanent undesirable side effects, are scarring or skin color changes, though rare.

Again you really need to speak with a doctor before you even consider having laser hair removal. This is only general information and not to be taken as the only answers to these questions.
About The Author

Copyright 2005

Fern Kuhn, RN
Specializing in Diabetes

http://www.diabetestestingcenter.com

http://www.gastricbypassreviews.info

You may reprint this article as long as you keep the links active

Top of Page





The Principle Of Laser Hair Removal
by: Rachel Stepsen

The principle of laser hair removal revolves around the principle of light radiation. The concept of laser hair removal is simple to understand.

Laser Hair Removal involves the use of light energy for the removal of hair. The basic principle of laser hair removal is that the dark objects absorb light. The laser will selectively target hair or the hair root and burn it.

This is possible only when the target area is darker than the surrounding skin. The dark target area is called chromophore and it can be created artificially or is found naturally on the skin.

Natural chromophores are melanin and hemoglobin. Melanin is a pigment that gives color to the hair. Hemoglobin is what gives red color to the blood. Carbon is an artificial chromophore.

Carbon is introduced into the skin by rubbing a carbon- based lotion into the skin after waxing. The principle of laser hair removal is selective photothermolysis. The laser hair removal treatment is also called phototricholysis or photoepilation.

There are certain technical parameters that determine the effectiveness of the laser hair removal process.

* Pulse widths - Studies have established that longer pulse widths are more effective for laser hair removal process and have fewer side effects.

* Width of the laser beam - The width of the laser beam determines the efficacy of laser hair removal process. The width of the laser beam should be four times as wide as the depth of the target.

* Repetition - Repetitions of the laser hair removal process is necessary for lasting solutions against the problem of laser hair removal. Usually two or three pulses of light have to be targeted for efficient removal of hair.

Cooling is a necessary ingredient of laser hair removal process. Cooling of the skin is done along with the laser treatment in order to prevent pain and reduce the side effects of the hair removal process.

Use of clear gel, contact cooling, cryogen spray and air- cooling are the various types of cooling methods for laser hair removal. The color of the hair is an important factor in the principle of laser hair removal.

Laser works effectively only on relatively dark hair, that is present among lighter surroundings. This is because light energy is absorbed only by the darker area, making selective absorption of the light energy efficient. This removes the hair without affecting the nearby skin.

Find out all you need to know about permanent laser hair removal. Discover latest techniques and ideas for effective hair removal. Subscribe to daily updated blog of news items and articles. Click http://www.laser-hair-removal-permanent.com/
About The Author

Rachel Stepsen suffered hair loss from her mid-20's. In an effort to find treatment, Rachel learned all there is to know about hair. Although she tried to prevent hair loss, she also learned all about hair removal. She's written a series of articles to help others learn about hair, and permanent hair removal

Copyright© 2003-2005 SkinCareUS.com and its Laser Hair Removal Facts and Information. All Rights Reserved. privacy policy