Laser Hair Removal
Most hair growth is predictable and in predictable places. In fact, short, light-colored hair covers most of the body. In some cases, though, unusually dark and coarse hair may grow in unexpected place. Laser hair removal is one procedure that can reduce or eliminate this growth. Some commonly treated areas of the body include the back, chin and neck. The treatment may also be employed for purely cosmetic reasons or to reduce the time spent on personal grooming.
How It Works
Each hair grows out of follicle, which is a small sac-like structure located in the lower layers of the skin. The follicle produces the hair itself, but also provides the pigment or melanin that gives the hair its color, much the same way pigment colors the skin. The laser, a focused beam of light, destroys the pigment in the hair and damages the follicle that grows the hair. This impedes, though may not entirely eliminate future hair growth. As darker colors absorb light much more easily than lighter colors, laser hair removal tends to be effective only for black or dark brown hair.
During the Procedure
Laser hair removal is considered to be a generally painless procedure, so patients are not typically given a general anesthetic. In some cases, the physician may give a topical anesthetic to spread on the skin prior to the procedure. Patients are given protective eye-wear to avoid accidental damage to their eyes by the laser. A small, hand-held device that produces the laser will be applied to the skin in the areas where hair needs to be removed. The light from the laser will penetrate the top layers of skin and damage the targeted hair follicles. The length of the procedure varies by the size of the area that needs treatment, but typically ranges from several minutes to several hours.
Recovery
Laser hair removal is an outpatient procedure and considered minimally invasive. The recovery period lasts about one week and patients are advised to keep the treated area protected from direct exposure to sunlight. Aside from avoiding sunlight exposure, patients can proceed with their normal activities. Some sensitivity or a stinging sensation may occur in the treated areas, but these symptoms typically resolve themselves within a few days. Other symptoms that may occur include redness and minor swelling.
Limits
Hair follicles are not always active and the procedure does not tend to treat inactive follicles. It can take multiple sessions over a period of several months in order to halt the majority of follicles in a given area. In some cases, the follicles do not stop growing hair, but the hair that does grow is lighter in color and less coarse. This makes the hair less noticeable and may prove sufficient for some patients. Patients with darker complexions may be advised against receiving laser hair removal since the laser cannot distinguish between dark hair pigment and dark skin pigment. The treatment can leave darkly complected patients with areas of lighter skin.
Safety
When performed correctly, laser hair removal is a very safe procedure. Nonetheless, the lasers used in the procedure can cause burns to the skin when used inappropriately or by people with limited experience and training. While some boutiques or salons offer laser treatment, the safest course of action is to set up an appointment with a qualified physician. Many plastic surgeons that focus on cosmetic surgery offer laser hair removal, as do some dermatologists. Some physicians will have a PA (physician’s assistant) or a nurse on their staff perform the procedure. In these cases, be sure that a physician is readily available at the office in the event a problem occurs.