What Is Laser Hair Removal?


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Intense Pulsed Light Therapy

Laser Hair Removal

Thermage

Member - American Society of Plastic Surgeons

What Is Laser Hair Removal?

What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?
Where Can Laser Hair Removal Be Used?
How Long Do Results Last?
Your Laser Hair Removal Treatment
Post Treatment Instructions

What Is Laser Hair Removal?
For years, people have used shaving, electrolysis, and waxing to remove unwanted hair from their bikini lines, underarms, and legs. With laser hair removal, patients now have a safe, fast, and effective alternative to dealing with unwanted body hair in these sensitive areas.

Lasers work be emitting a specialized light that passes through the skin and is absorbed by the laser's target. In the case of laser hair removal, the laser targets the melanin, or color, in the hair follicle, damaging the follicle and removing the hair. Because laser hair removal is safe and relatively painless, it can be used to remove unwanted hair on all parts of the body, including the face, back, underarms, bikini line, legs, and arms. The experienced doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will be happy to meet with you to explain the laser hair removal procedure and to determine if you are a good candidate for this revolutionary way of dealing with unwanted body hair.

Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?
Laser hair removal devices have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are a safe and effective method for removing unwanted body hair. When used by qualified plastic surgeons such as the doctors of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery, laser hair removal can safely and effectively achieve the desired results with little or no side effects. The most frequently reported side effects are redness and skin discoloration on or around the treated area. These side effects usually disappear within a few days.

Where Can Laser Hair Removal Be Used?
Laser hair removal can be performed on almost every area of the body. The most common areas for laser hair removal are the bikini line, the underarms, and the legs; however, laser hair removal can also be used on the face, the back, the arms, or anywhere unwanted hair grows.

While a wide variety of skin tones and a wide range of hair colors can be treated, the effectiveness of the laser hair removal procedure depends on the color of the hair you want removed and the color of your skin tone. The larger the contrast between the hair color and your skin tone, the more effective laser hair removal will be. This is due to the fact that dark colors attract light energy and hold it and light colors reflect light energy. Therefore, dark pigments in the hair follicle will absorb the laser light energy and pale skin tones will not absorb the light energy, meaning that the dark hair follicle will absorb more and more of the laser energy, causing the follicle to die and no longer grow hair.

The doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will answer any questions you have about laser hair removal and determine whether or not you are a good candidate for the procedure.

How Long Do Results Last?
There are many different options for laser hair removal; each of these options will be discussed with you during your initial consultation. Depending on the option you choose, laser hair removal can provide permanent hair reduction to more temporary hair removal known as "laser waxing."

As with all cosmetic procedures, results may vary and it is best to discuss your individual case with the doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery.

Your Laser Hair Removal Treatment
Your laser hair removal procedure will take place in the doctor's office and may take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour to complete, depending on the size of the treatment area. Prior to treatment, a topical black-colored solution is applied to the treatment area. The solution penetrates the hair follicles and its black color aids the absorption of the laser wavelength by the hair follicles.

After the solution is applied, the doctor scans the laser device across the area being treated. Most patients describe the feeling experienced as the laser is scanned across the skin as a warm, stinging sensation or like that of a light rubber band being snapped.

Virtually no recovery time is needed; you may resume normal activities immediately. Side effects of the procedure are minimal, other than short-term swelling and/or skin discoloration on or around the treated area. These side effects usually disappear in a few days; contact The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery if the side effects worsen or prove troublesome.

Precautions
While no pre-treatment tests are required, there are a few precautions you should take into account prior to your laser hair removal procedure:

� Avoid using aspirin, non-steroid anti-inflammatory medicines, St. John's Wort, or high does of Vitamin E supplements for one week prior to your procedure because they may cause bruising or bleeding at the treatment site.

� Do not consume alcohol leading up to and immediately after your laser hair removal procedure because alcohol can effect the circulation and blood flow in your body, which could impact the effectiveness of your procedure.

� You should avoid undergoing laser hair removal in areas where you have any type of infection.

� The safety of laser hair removal for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding has not been established.

� The safety of laser hair removal for patients under18 years of age has not been determined.

The doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will discuss these precautions and answer any specific questions you may have during your initial consultation.

Post-Treatment Instructions
While there are few if any side effects from your laser hair removal procedure, there are a few post-treatment instructions you should be aware of. The doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will discuss these instructions and answer any questions you may have prior to your treatment.

Immediately after your treatment, you may notice temporary redness or skin discoloration on or around the treated area. These effects are minor and typically disappear in a few days. If the inconvenience continues beyond two to three days or if other reactions occur, call The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery.

� Until any initial redness has disappeared, avoid exposure of the treated area to intense heat (sunlamp or sunbathing).
� Avoid touching the treated area within six hours of your treatment. After that, the area can be gently washed with soap and water.
� Avoid exercise and alcohol for six hours after your treatment.

Questions You May Have

� How Many Treatments Do I Need?
Initially, it is recommended that you undergo a series of 4 to 8 laser hair removal treatments at 4 to 8 week intervals in order to treat the complete hair shaft from the base of the follicle to the surface of the skin. After your initial treatments, the treated area will be evaluated to determine how much hair will regrow and how fast the hair will return. Periodic follow-up visits can be used to maintain the results you desire.

� Will my insurance coverage pay for my laser hair removal procedure?
Your laser hair removal procedure is considered a cosmetic treatment and, therefore, is not covered by your insurance. You are responsible for the full payment for your procedure. Cost and payment information will be discussed in detail with you during your initial consultation.