| For many women, buying bikini or summer
outfits has meant choosing garments that didn't expose
embarrassing, unwanted body hair. Many men needlessly suffer
every day from having to deal with unwanted body hair on their
eyebrows, necks, backs and shoulders. With laser hair
removal procedures, such self-conscious decisions can
be a thing of the past. In a painless procedure with next to
no recovery time, unwanted body hair can be replaced with
smooth beautiful skin.
Enjoying the benefits of laser hair removal treatments can
mean spending as little as 15 minutes in a cosmetic surgery
center. Patients can achieve different degrees of success with
just one visit, and complete hair removal in about three
procedures.
Laser hair removal works by targeting hair follicles that
are in an active growth stage. Hair follicles go through three
stages: regression, resting and growth. Each phase can last
two to six months. Laser hair removal is most effective when
targeting hair in its active growth phase, so three treatments
are typically required to achieve the most thorough results.
Laser hair removal treatments can be performed with equal
effectiveness on the face, armpits, bikini areas, back, legs,
arms and chest. The procedure has proven to be safe, gentle
and effective, affording thousands of men and women a simple
long-term solution to unwanted body hair.
Recovery
After your procedure your skin will usually be red and
swollen, but this will disappear in a short time. On occasion,
small crusting or pimples may appear around your hair
follicles. Your physician can provide you with an antibiotic
ointment that will quickly reduce these symptoms. You should
experience a significant reduction in the growth of new hair
at your treated areas. To achieve permanent hair loss, at
least three treatments will probably be needed at one to three
month intervals.
Patients should avoid sun exposure to treated areas for two
weeks.
Possible Complication
Though complications with laser hair removal are rare, as with
any medical procedure there are potential risks that you
should be aware of. There is a minimal chance of scarring, and
in certain instances increased or decreased skin pigmentation
may occur within the lasered sites, especially in darker
skinned patients. In most cases, changes in pigmentation will
resolve themselves during the natural healing process. This
risk can be minimized by avoiding exposure to the sun soon
after your procedure. If such sun exposure cannot be avoided,
be sure to wear protective sun block lotions at all times.
Frequent Asked Questions
How is the procedure done?
During a laser hair removal procedure, your surgeon will
run a laser that produces a powerful beam of invisible light
over the area you are treating. The invisible light emitted
from the laser passes harmlessly through the skin and is
absorbed by the hair follicle. This action disables the hair
follicle and reduces its ability to grow new hair. Lasers used
in this procedure are designed to act on hair follicles only,
leaving surrounding tissues untouched. The pulses produced by
the laser creates a minor burning or stinging sensation that
most patients can tolerate without the need of any anesthetic.
After the procedure, your treated area may be slightly pink or
swollen, producing the feeling of a mild sunburn for a day or
two.
How do I prepare for this
procedure?
Your physician will normally advise you to avoid sun
exposure to the areas you are having treated for two weeks
prior to your procedure. In most cases, you will be asked to
shave the area intended for treatment the day before your
procedure. You also will be advised not to have pluck, wax or
electrolysis hair removal procedures for six weeks prior to
your laser hair removal treatment.
How long does the
procedure take?
Laser hair removal procedures normally last from 15 minutes
to one hour, depending on the size and scope of the area you
are treating.
What form of anesthesia is
used?
Laser hair removal is a pain-free procedure and anesthesia
is not required. However, some patients choose to apply a
topical anesthetic to avoid feeling any sensation from the
laser.
Can I return home the same
day?
You may return home or to work immediately following your
treatment. Since anesthesia is not required, you will not need
to make arrangements for someone to drive you.
How long before I can
return to normal activity?
Laser hair removal procedures are noninvasive so you can
immediately return to your normal activities, including work
or your exercise routine.
Hair Removal Before and After
(click photo make bigger)
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