Laser hair removal: Does it hurt? - Reflections Center for Skin and

Health & Fitness
NOVEMBER 2003
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Tips and opinions on a variety of health and fitness issues
Laser hair removal: Does it hurt?
By Mitchell Chasin
SPECIAL TO THE SPEAKER
Laser hair removal is a new and
exciting technology and an aesthetic procedure that has become
very popular. There is, however, a
lot of conflicting information. The
following is meant to guide those
considering the procedure.
•How does laser hair removal
work?
Laser sources produce a bright
beam of light that is preferentially
absorbed by melanin (the pigment
in hair), causing damage to the hair
shaft and follicle without damaging the surrounding skin. The hair
is either completely removed or
temporarily replaced with a vellus
(fine, light colored hair). With each
treatment, there is a progressive
decrease in the amount of hair that
regrows. The skin remains unaffected by the laser.
•Is laser hair removal permanent?
Yes. The F.D.A. (Food and
Drug Administration) has cleared
certain lasers for the permanent
reduction of unwanted hair. It is
important that you confirm the
laser your physician intends to use
has been cleared for permanent
hair reduction, as not all of them
are.
Several factors determine the
optimal effectiveness of a laser
system for hair removal — including hair color, skin color and hair
thickness. The ideal candidate for
laser is one with light skin and
coarse, dark hair. But, due to
recent developments and the latest
laser technology, we also can
achieve great results in patients
with dark skin. The physician
should be proficient in the use of
multiple laser systems and thus be
able to tailor a treatment program
specific to your needs.
•What are the possible side
effects?
There are rarely any permanent
side effects associated with laser
hair removal. The most common,
though unusual, side effect is temporary skin darkening or lightening, especially in those with darker
skin tones or tanned skin. These
pigment changes fade with time.
Newer lasers that are designed to
remove hair in those with darker
skin types significantly reduce this
risk.
•What areas of the body can
be treated?
All areas of the body, including
face, neck, underarms, bikini area,
breasts, legs, back and ears can be
treated. Laser hair removal is also
very effective for problematic
ingrown hairs and is performed on
both women and men.
•What are the advantages of
laser hair removal compared
with other methods?
✔Shaving — patients often
associate it with causing ingrown
hairs and skin irritation.
✔Waxing — side effects
include the potential for allergic
reactions and scarring. If not done
properly, it can be painful.
✔Depilatories can cause skin
irritation and burns and must be
performed weekly.
✔Tweezing is impractical for
large areas and can be painful or
lead to scarring and hyperpigmentation.
✔Electrolysis involves sticking
a needle into each hair follicle and
applying an electric current. In
expert hands, electrolysis can
remove unwanted hair permanently — but the process is often
painful, requires years of ongoing
treatment and may lead to scarring.
Whereas electrolysis treats one
single hair at a time, laser hair
removal covers a much larger area,
with each pulse of the laser. A
treatment for the lip can be performed in as little as 10-15 minutes.
•What can be done for
patients with blond, red, or
gray/silver hair?
A product named Meladine has
recently been made available to
enhance the results of laser hair
removal in individuals with blond,
Page 11
red or gray/silver hair.
Meladine is a natural
melanin enhancer that is
used prior to each treatment. The degree of hair
removal for patients with
blond or silver hair is still
less than those with darker hair. Meladine produces no noticeable
changes in the skin or
hair color itself.
•How many laser
treatments does it take?
Depending on the
concentration of hair in a
given area and the hair
and skin color, the typical
number of treatments
varies from four-eight,
spaced four-eight weeks
apart. Multiple treatments are required
because hair grows in
cycles and it is only the
follicles in the growth
phase that are removed by the
laser. With each treatment, the hair
in the treatment area becomes
finer, thinner and lighter.
•Does hair need to be long to
perform laser hair removal?
On the contrary. It is preferable
for hair to be short; namely, onetwo millimeters (one-two days
growth) at the time of the procedure. Hair can be clipped or shaved
prior to the treatment, but waxing
or plucking is avoided for two
weeks before the treatment to
enhance effectiveness.
•Is there any downtime after
Continued on Page Sixteen
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