Laser Hair Removal

By Mariam Alimi, MSN, FNP, BC

Impressions MediSpa

. https://impressionsmedispa.com

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Laser Hair Removal

Are you tired of constant shaving and having unsightly razor bumps? Are you looking for a better solution for removal of unwanted hair?

Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a laser an intense, pulsating beam of light to remove and reduce unwanted hair. The laser beam passes through the skin to the individual hair follicle, heating it so the follicle is damaged, inhibiting future hair growth from that follicle.

There are various wavelengths for laser systems, which target and treat hair removal differently such as intense pulsed light, alexandrite and a diode laser. In my opinion, the best system is the Lumenis LightSheer diode laser system, which represents quintessential simplicity in a state-of-the-art package.

It has an unsurpassed library of
clinically documented success and
is more targeted for hair reduction
because the laser penetrates deeper.
It provides continuous contact
cooling of the epidermis for maxi-
mal patient safety and comfort.
How long does it take?

Laser treatments can be a few minutes or a few hours, depending on the size of the area. For most patients, multiple sessions are usually needed to optimize results. Typically six treatments, four to six weeks apart, are needed.

Benefits

Lasers target hair follicles and eliminate, or significantly impede, hair from growing back. It is quick, comfortable and virtually painless, so patients are able to return to their normal activities soon after treatment.

Laser hair removal has become very popular. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over 600,000 patients underwent laser hair removal in 2003, in the United States alone. This was a 6% increase from the previous year.

Long-Term Effects

The most important effect is permanent reduction in hair. It doesn't mean that all the hair in the treated area will never grow back, but most of it won't and the hair that does grow back is usually thinner and less noticeable.

While permanent hair removal can occur, the procedure may simply result in reducing the amount of hair in the treated area, or it can lighten the color of the hair and decrease its thickness. Results vary for each patient, which can be determined ahead of time and planned into your treatments.

Risks and Limitations

While laser hair removal is a minimally invasive procedure, patients may experience some short-term side effects, which include slight reddening of the skin or local swelling that goes away within a few days.
Individuals with lighter hair color may require more treatments because the laser actually targets the melanin in your hair follicles and lighter hair has less melanin.

Patients can go back to work and return to normal activities soon after treatment. Limited sun exposure is recommended for a few days because the treated area will likely be a little sensitive.