Laser Epilation (Hair Removal)

The Benefits Of Laser Hair Removal

Removing unwanted body hair is a constantly troubling process for many men and women. Patients who are tired of the temporary, painful methods of removing hair from the face, back, legs or other body areas may benefit from laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure used to remove unwanted body hair with intense pulses of laser energy that specifically target the hair follicle. This minimally invasive procedure removes hair through a series of treatments while leaving the surrounding skin and tissue unharmed. Through this safe, painless and convenient procedure, patients can enjoy long-term hair removal from nearly any area of their body.

Laser hair removal is most commonly performed on the face, upper lip, neck, chest, underarms, back, abdomen, bikini line and legs, although it can be performed on virtually any area with excess hair growth.

Candidates for Laser Hair Removal

The ideal patient for laser hair removal is someone with excessive hair growth who is unhappy with the appearance of the hair and seeking a long-term, simple solution. Excessive hair growth may be caused by a number of different reasons, including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, heredity, medication or disease.

Other patients with normal hair growth who are tired of constantly shaving, waxing or plucking their unwanted hair may benefit from this procedure as well. This procedure is usually most effective on patients with dark hair and light skin, however most patients will achieve gratifying results. Although current laser technologies cannot remove white or gray hairs, there are other treatment options such as prescription creams worth discussing with one of our skin care experts.

Laser Hair Removal Procedure

During the laser hair removal procedure, a cooling gel – and in some cases a topical anesthetic – will be applied to the area to prevent pain and discomfort. The laser is then moved across the treatment area with a hand held device that heats the hair follicles while cooling the overlying skin. Hair follicles in the active growth state are selectively targeted. Patients may experience the sensation of a rubber band snapping the skin during this procedure and some mild, temporary redness and swelling after, but most tolerate the procedure well.

At Advanced DermCare, we proudly offer permanent laser hair removal with the MedioStar diode laser: a popular, clinically proven and FDA-approved device that can be used safely in all skin phototypes including tanned and darker skin. For optimal results, you should plan on undergoing treatment when you don’t anticipate heavy sun exposure in the weeks before or after treatment.

Before starting a full treatment, we may recommend a complimentary test spot in order to ensure the best, safest results for each patient. In general, multiple treatments will be needed to achieve optimal hair removal, with most people needing 3-5 treatments, ideally spaced 4-8 weeks apart. The length and number of treatments depends upon the location of the hair and the patient’s individual response to treatment. Patients who wish to remove hair in between treatment sessions can still shave the treated area, but should not use any other type of depilatory.

Since excessive facial or body hair may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, patients considering laser hair removal should always see one of our skin care professionals before starting treatment. Please let us know if you have a pre-existing medical condition that may influence your treatment such as a history of cold sores, abnormal scarring or keloids, vitiligo, or recent isotretinoin use.