Laser Hair Removal
How does laser hair removal work?
 Lasers, which is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation, are designed to remove unwanted hair through selective absorption of an intense light pulse at wavelengths that are absorbed by the hair follicles but not by the surrounding tissue. The light beam is transformed into heat which destroys the hair follicle within a fraction of a second.
Why is laser preferred for hair removal?
Traditional hair removal techniques, such as shaving, plucking, waxing, and depilatory creams provide only temporary relief from unwanted hair. Before the laser, the only long-lasting solution has been electrolysis which can be time-consuming and is usually limited to small areas because each hair is treated individually. Since lasers can treat lots of hair follicles at once the results are quicker and more permanent than the temporary fixes. Laser hair removal is non-invasive and safe removing unwanted hair without damaging the surrounding skin.
What does the treatment involve?
The procedure varies from patient to patient depending on the amount of hair and the area to be treated. Generally, the treatment will include:
• Safety eyewear to protect the patient's eyes from the laser light.
• A small handpiece will be used to deliver the laser light.
• Most experience little discomfort during the treatment. In some cases a topical anesthesia is an option.
• The duration of the treatments will vary from minutes to hours depending on the size or number of areas treated.
• Patients can expect to resume normal activity immediately following the treatment.
• Depending on the area and skin sensitivity, the treated area may become slightly red which may last from a few minutes to several days.
How many treatments will I need?
Lasers can only effect actively growing hair during each treatment. And because hair grows in cycles, only a certain number of hair follicles are growing at any one time. The number of treatments depends on the area of treatment, hair density and the hair's growth cycle. As a general rule, several treatments will be required but hair growth is usually noticeably reduced after just one treatment.
There are three stages of hair growth. Anagen - the active gowth phase; Catagen - the regression phase when the lower part of the hair stops growing but is not shed; and Telogen - the resting phase when the hair falls out in preparation of new hair growth. The most effective treatment for hair removal is the Anagen stage when the hair contains the most melanin which is the focus of the laser. Because hair grows in cycles, hair in the Telagen phase has no melanin and therefore remains active until subsequent treatment.
How much does laser hair removal cost?
Treatment costs vary with the size of the area treated. Small areas, such as the upper lip that take from 1 to 10 minutes are considerably less than a larger area such as the entire back or leg, which could take over an hour. Individual consultation is necessary for exact pricing.
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