FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Permanent Hair Reduction

At Allied Laser, P.C. we are pleased to offer a state-of-the-art laser system for removing unwanted body hair. The following material will inform you of the benefits, risks and anticipated results associated with laser hair reduction.

1. How does laser permanent hair reduction work?

A laser produces a beam of highly concentrated light. At the present time five main laser systems are available for the treatment of unwanted body hair. Different types of lasers produce different colors of light. In essence, these systems target pigment granules (melanin) in the hair and around the follicle in an effort to destroy the hair follicles. These follicles are capable of producing hairs of various thickness and colors. Dark hair and their follicles contain most of the pigment, melanin, which serves as the target for energy delivered by the laser. Four specific wavelengths, 694 nm. produced by the ruby laser, 755 nm. produced by the alexandrite laser, 805 nm. produced by the diode laser, and

1064 nm. produced by the Nd:Y AG laser, have been shown to be effective in the reduction of pigmented hair. Also approved for use in hair reduction by the FDA is a broad spectrum Xenon flashlamp that emits a wide range of wavelengths. The light energy is absorbed by the pigmented hair shaft and the melanin in the cells surrounding the follicle. Heat is produced in a fraction of a second by the absorption of energy by the hair and its follicle. This heat is capable of creating follicular damage and retarding or preventing future hair production by that follicle. This heat usually does not last long enough, however, to damage the surrounding skin. The LightSheer diode laser's special contact-cooling hand- piece further protects the epidermis (upper layer of skin). This patented method of epidermal preservation allows delivery of more laser energy deeper into the skin where the hair follicles are situated. Additionally, the LightSheer diode laser is able to treat all skin types, unlike most other hair reduction lasers. It is delicate enough for a woman's fine, sensitive skin and robust enough for a man's beard, back or arms.

2. How successful is the process of laser hair reduction?

Clients will achieve varying degrees of success. Repeated application of these laser energies to the skin gradually results in almost complete reduction of all actively growing hairs. The number of hairs that are permanently removed as a result of one treatment can vary. Part of the difficulty in eradicating unwanted or excess hair lies in the fact that the follicle has tremendous regenerative capabilities, and those recuperative powers are highly variable from individual to individual and from one anatomic site to another. In most instances several treatments are necessary in order to achieve a high degree of permanent hair reduction and in some instances treatment may fail to permanently remove hair. In order to understand the process it is important to understand the biology of hair growth itself. Hair forms in a pouch- like structure below the skin surface called a hair follicle. What we see as hair is actually the hair shaft, which is the keratinized, hardened tissue that grows from this follicle. Humans have more hair follicles per square inch of skin than most higher primates, including chimpanzees and gorillas. Because most of this hair is fine and pale (called vellus hair), it usually is not visible to the naked eye. Consider this: the human forehead has more hair follicles than any part of the body. The thicker, fully pigmented hair most people consider "real hair" is called terminal hair. This hair is found on the scalp, eyebrows, legs, backs, underarms, beard area (including upper lips and chin) and genital areas. This is the hair the LightSheer diode laser treats. Everyone's hair grows differently, depending on age, weight, metabolism, hormones, ethnicity, medications and other factors.

But all hair goes through three distinct growth phases:

1) Active growth phase (called the anagen phase), which lasts up to several years. At any given time, the majority (85%) of our body hair is in this phase. During anagen, the hair has an abundance of melanin and, hence, is the most vulnerable phase of the hair growth cycle to laser energy.

2) Regressive phase (catagen phase), which lasts about two weeks, during which the hair stops growing but is not yet shed. About 3-4% of our body hair is in this phase at any given time.

3) Resting phase (telogen phase), which lasts 5-6 weeks, at the end of which the hair falls out and a new hair begins to form. Approximately 10-13% of our body hair is in this phase at anyone time. Hairs in this phase are more resistant to laser energy.

The LightSheer diode laser (and all lasers, for that matter) most effectively disables hair that is in the active growth (anagen) phase. Depending on the body site, various percentages of hairs are in the anagen, catagen and telogen phase. As a result of this and other factors it is necessary to treat a given anatomic area more than once in order to attempt to achieve permanent hair reduction. A period of 8 to 12 weeks between treatments is recommended to allow the resting or telogen phase hairs to once again enter the anagen cycle and become more sensitive to the laser energy. This also permits skin recovery and allows visualization of hairs emerging through the skin from deeper follicles. The interval is dependent upon the area of the body that is being treated.

3. How is the laser treatment performed?

Laser hair reduction is a much quicker and more straightforward process than most temporary forms of hair reduction and electrolysis. Clients have the option of arriving at the laser center at least one hour before their planned treatment in order to have the hair in the area clipped or shaved and to apply a topical anesthetic cream. Clients may also apply the anesthetic cream at home one to two hours prior to their appointment. This cream greatly reduces the discomfort associated with the laser hair reduction process. Treatment times vary from a few minutes for areas such as the chin and neck to one to two hours for extensive areas such as full legs, back and chest. After the procedure, cool compresses and soothing gels may be applied to the treated area and clients may spend time relaxing before being discharged if they wish.

4. What will I look like after treatment?

The application of laser energy to the skin often results in a pink color and skin bumpiness and, on occasion, crusting in the area will develop lasting a few days. Discomfort similar to a sunburn may be noted over the first 24 hour period. In these instances, Tylenol or any other analgesics may be used. In certain situations (especially in darker complected individuals) temporary pigmentation changes may be noted. One may notice hair within the treated follicles for the first few days or weeks after therapy; this usually falls out leaving smooth, hair-free skin.

5. What do I have to do before treatment begins?

During your initial consultation you will be asked to provide a detailed medical and hormonal history. When indicated, you may be referred to your primary care physician or Dr. Garrett, our medical director. Clients who are darker skin types may need to use a skin bleaching cream (e.g., Hydroquinone 4%, or Kojic acid) for four to six weeks prior to treatment in order to lessen the effects of melanin pigment in the skin surrounding the hair follicle and to permit more energy to be safely applied to the area in order to increase the efficacy of the procedure. Hair bleaching creams should not be used for the five days prior to treatment.

6. What are the risks associated with laser hair reduction?

Laser hair reduction has proven to be a relatively safe procedure. Since laser pulses are a constant energy, there is little or no chance of scarring associated with this process. In certain instances temporary increased or decreased pigmentation will be noted within the lased sites, especially in more darkly pigmented clients. In certain cases there may be some degree of crusting during the post-operative period, which is treated by the use of bland emollients and/or topical antibiotics. Very infrequently a purplish skin discoloration occurs which spontaneously resolves within a few weeks. Our professional staff is available throughout your post-treatment period to answer any questions you may have during this time.

7. What are the costs involved in the procedure?

Laser hair reduction involves the use of sophisticated and expensive laser equipment in order to deliver precise and effective energy pulses. During your initial consultation the areas to be treated will be determined and a fee per treatment session, as well as a package price for several treatments, will be given to you. Please discuss these and other available options with your Allied Laser, P.C. representative. Our aim is to provide safe, effective and affordable laser treatments for clients wishing to enjoy the benefits of permanent laser hair reduction.

8. What can I expect?

Laser treatment for hair reduction currently represents one of the most exciting areas within laser medicine and surgery. Client variation and the nature of hair follicle growth make it difficult to predict the exact outcome in every case. We are committed to excellence and will attempt to provide a pleasing cosmetic result for all our clients. However, no specific guarantees can be made with regard to the final outcome.

Allied Laser, P.C. hopes that you will find this information handout useful in determining whether or not you wish to proceed. If you have any further questions that have not been answered do not hesitate to let us know. Thank you.