Laser Versus Razor Permanently remove unwanted facial and body hair

If you’re exhausted by your daily shaving routine, tired of expensive painful waxing, or embarrassed by the wooly hair growth on your face, back or bikini, it might be time to consider an easier more permanent solution. Laser hair removal is second only to Botox as the most popular cosmetic procedure in the United States. For women, the most common choice is removal of facial and bikini hair and men are choosing to have less hairy backs. Overall Laser hair removal is less time consuming than shaving, less painful than electrolysis, waxing and plucking, and more permanent than all of the above.

Lasers and light sources used in hair removal such as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) act by a principle known as selective photo-thermolysis.

If you have darker skin, a test pulse should be performed prior to lasing large areas of the skin to ensure safety. Experienced Beams of light are aimed through the skin’s surface where they target physicians can manipulate parameters during the laser or IPL a specific chromophore (pigment). The chromophore in hair follicles treatments to provide safe and effective results. Epidermal cooling is melanin, just like the pigment in our skin. Melanin in the hair gels or other cooling devices further reduce the chance of pain and follicle absorbs the laser energy, creating heat that destroys the injury. Also, certain lasers are better designed for dark skin types. existing hair, and damages the follicle, preventing it from producing It is important to choose a physician that is experienced with lasers another hair. and all aspects of skin. It doesn’t take a genius to fire up a laser; Although this destruction is considered permanent, it usually however it does take experience to properly deal with complications requires 5-6 treatments for desired results. This is because hair should they arise. grows in cycles. It is in the “growth” (aka anagen) phase of the There is no question that lasers have revolutionized and simplified cycle that hair follicles are largest and most visible to the laser beam. the world as we know it, but it is important to be realistic and At any given time, only 20-50% of hair is in this vulnerable anagen respectful of your role both before and after laser treatments of any phase. The anagen phase ranges from 4-8 weeks depending on the kind. Regardless of skin type, tanning should be avoided before and area of the body. For example, Hair grows quickest on the face and after laser treatments to reduce the likelihood of problems. Daily use takes just four weeks to complete each cycle. With the next cycle, a of SPF of 20-30 sunscreen containing zinc or titanium dioxide should new “crop” of hair grows and presents itself for destruction by the be applied before and during the course of treatment. Be sure to laser. Treatments on the face are thus performed about every four inform your physician, during the initial consultation, if you have any weeks. On the legs and back, hair growth is slower and treatments underlying medical conditions that may predispose to excessive hair are performed about every 5-7 weeks. Each treatment session lasts growth such as polycystic ovarian disease, pregnancy, or between 5 minutes to an hour depending on the size of the area being medications. Lastly, remember that laser hair removal doesn’t work treated. the same way on everyone and doesn’t remove 100% of the hair Touted as “painless”, most patients describe laser hair removal as 100% of the time. It removes most of the hair most of the time. uncomfortable but tolerable. It is often equated to the feeling of a Because of the unpredictable nature rubber band snapping on the skin. To minimize discomfort, topical of hair growth cycles, some people numbing cream is applied 30-45 minutes prior to treatments. Tylenol need a touch-up treatment within 6 or Aleve can also be taken before the procedure if needed. Compared months to a year. with electrolysis and waxing, laser hair removal is almost always Laser hair removal is soaring in reported to be less painful. Electrolysis is laboriously slow, targeting popularity with both men and only one hair at a time. Laser hair removal is extremely fast as it women. As traditional hair removal destroys hundreds of hair follicles with each pulse of light. techniques such as waxing and Who is a candidate for Laser hair removal? Hair color and electrolysis provide only temporary skin type are the key factors that influence the success of laser hair relief with ongoing inconveniences removal. It is most effective on people with light skin and dark and expense, it’s no wonder more (brown or black) hair. Because melanin is the target during laser hair than 2 million people each year removal, the more pigment there is in the hair follicle, the better the choose laser over razor. results. Melanin is also found in the epidermis, the skin’s outer layer. The laser beam cannot discriminate between melanin in the epidermis Kimberly Moskowitz,MS, MD and melanin in the hair follicle. Because of this, dark or tanned skin Board Certified: Phlebology & Internal Medicine: Medical School & competes with the melanin in the hair follicle and “steals” the laser’s Residency: Georgetown University: American Society for Laser Medicine & energy before it can descend into the follicle. Less energy is then Surgery: American College of Cosmetic Physicians delivered down the follicle resulting in less effective hair reduction. At the same time, energy absorbed by dark skin can damage the Cosmetic Vein & Laser Center epidermis. The laser beam does not target blonde or gray hair; 651 Grand Panama Blvd Suite 102 however, a special temporary dye can make light hair more Panama City Beach, FL 32407 susceptible. (850) 233-0264 www.skinandveins.com