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Home > Ask the Doctor
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Can
I get some general information from you about laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal technology is safe, fast and highly effective in
the permanent reduction of unwanted hair.
- There are 3 different phases of hair growth - anagen, telogen
and catogen. In the anagen phase, the hair is actively making
pigment in the root of the hair follicle. In the telogen phase,
the hair is in the follicle, but is not making pigment in the
root of the follicle. In the catogen phase, the hair is being
shed by the follicle. The phase of hair growth most affected by
the laser is the anagen phase. Since 20-30% of the hair is in
the anagen phase at a time, we should destroy 20-30% of the hair
with each treatment. The normal hair growth cycle is 4-8 weeks;
therefore we schedule appointments 4-8 weeks apart. Scheduling
treatments too early or too late in the growth cycle may make
additional treatments necessary.
- The laser works by sending a beam of light through the skin
to the hair follicle and heating the hair bulb. There will be
some pinkness and swelling around the hair follicle. This is transient
and usually last 15 minutes to a few hours, however for some people
it may last a day or two. Over the counter topical steroid cream,
aloe vera gel, or cool compresses may be applied at home for discomfort.
- The laser targets melanin (the pigment in hair), therefore blond,
gray, strawberry red or fine peach fuzz will not respond to the
laser. Because the laser targets pigment, precautions must be
used in people with a lot of skin pigment. This means cautious
laser settings and darker skin types may be pre-treated wit ha
skin bleaching cream for 2-4 weeks before laser treatment. The
cream must be continued the entire duration of laser treatment.
- Most patients require 3-6 treatments to get the maximum benefit
of the laser treatment (an average of 88% permanent reduction).
People with darker skin types may need more treatments. People
with underlying hormonal imbalances, polycystic ovaries, adrenal
hyperplasia, use of oral steroids, or a strong genetic tendency
for hair growth may also need additional treatments.
- You must avoid the sun (on lasered areas) 2-4 weeks before,
during and 2-4 weeks after final laser treatment. It is mandatory
to use a sunscreen with UVA and UVB coverage and a SPF factor
of 30.
Can you provide me with some general information
about Vascular Lesion Pulse Dye Laser Treatment?
- The laser works by delivering laser energy to targeted blood
vessels, resulting in heating effect and uniform coagulation.
- The laser targets hemoglobin (the color in blood).
- The treatments will vary depending on the size and color of
the vessels. Multiple treatments may be necessary and it may take
up to three or more treatments for the best results. The treatments
should be spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart.
- You must avoid the sun (on lasered areas) before and during
your laser treatments.
- Immediately following the laser treatment, the treated area
will appear red or bruised with a blue/grey discoloration, depending
on the size of the vessel or lesion. Redness is usually gone within
2 to 24 hours. However bruising may last 5 to 10 days.
- Some areas may show swelling. In that case ice in indicated
for 10 to 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day, for 2 to 3 days.
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