Treatment FAQ

what is the appropriate effect upon the hair follicle when performing laser hair removal treatment?

by Josue Dickens Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Hair color and skin type influence the success of laser hair removal. The basic principle is that the pigment of the hair, but not the pigment of the skin, should absorb the light. The laser should damage only the hair follicle while avoiding damage to the skin.May 4, 2022

Full Answer

What is the goal of laser hair removal?

The primary goal of laser hair removal is to utilize a laser to target and kill hair follicles. Once the hair follicle is dead, the hair won’t grow back. Do you guarantee 100% hair removal?

Which areas of the body does laser hair removal work best?

Laser hair removal is more effective in certain areas of your body than others. Hair on your face such as the upper lip, chin, sideburns or neck grow back faster than your body hair such as those on your back, arms and legs.

Does laser hair removal work on hair that is too dense?

Laser damages or destroys the hair follicles from which the hair grows. So an effective laser hair removal therapy can not result in a more dense regrowth in the treated area. Actually there should be a reduction of about 10 to 25% reduction in hair growth after each session of laser therapy.

Can laser hair removal affect your fertility?

The laser beam used for hair removal works only at the surface of your skin. It does not reach your internal organs. Thus, there are almost no chances of laser treatment affecting your fertility. However, the effects of laser treatment on pregnant and nursing mothers are unknown.

What happens after laser hair removal?

The heat from the laser either weakens or completely destroys the hair follicle. Immediately after, the skin may be red and swollen – clients can experience a 'sun-burn sensation' this is normal and will subside after a few hours.

What can affect laser hair removal?

What are the risks of laser hair removal?Mild swelling around the hair follicles.Pigment changes may occur, especially in those with darker skin – these changes are usually temporary.Slight redness of the skin.Temporary irritation resulting in blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture.

How does laser affect hair growth?

Low-level laser therapy — also referred to as red light therapy and cold laser therapy — irradiates photons into scalp tissues. These photons are absorbed by weak cells to encourage hair growth. It's widely accepted that the procedure is safe, tolerable, and less invasive than hair transplant surgery.

When performing laser hair removal What is the main target?

In preparation for your first laser hair removal session, it is important to avoid waxing or plucking of hairs for four to six weeks before treatment. These activities temporarily remove hair follicles and roots, which are the targets during laser treatment.

What are the benefits of laser hair removal?

Here are just some of the benefits of laser hair removal treatment:It's Quick. ... It's Less Painful Than Other Hair Removal Methods. ... It's Precise. ... It Can Remove Hair From Any Part of the Body. ... It Prevents Ingrown Hairs. ... It Saves You From Having to Endure Regrowth. ... It's a Long-Term Solution.

Does laser hair removal actually work?

Laser hair removal eliminates at least 90% of hair growth. Instead of only removing the hair – as with shaving or waxing – the laser heats up the hair follicles, rendering them inactive and unable to grow hair. To understand why you need multiple sessions, let's explore how your hair growth works.

What stimulates hair follicle growth?

To stimulate your hair follicles, start by warming 1 tablespoon of oil, like olive, coconut, or jojoba oil, and massaging it into your scalp for 5 minutes. You can also add 3-4 drops of rosemary of peppermint oil, which have been shown to stimulate hair growth.

Does laser hair removal make hair grow back thicker?

In rare instances, laser hair removal may cause thicker, darker hair to grow or regrow in an adjacent area to the one being treated. This condition is known as paradoxical hypertrichosis.

Why is my hair growing faster after laser?

Why do hairs continue to grow after the the treatment? This is mainly due to the hair's growth cycle. Hairs in the anagen, or active phase will be affected by the laser. The hairs in the catagen, or dormant stage will be unaffected during the treatment and grows when it goes to the anlagen phase.

Does laser hair removal destroy hair follicles?

Laser hair removal uses light to target the pigment in individual hairs. The light travels down the shaft of the hair and into the hair follicle. The heat from the laser light destroys the hair follicle, and a hair can no longer grow from it.

What is the process of hair removal?

In this ArticleShaving.Plucking.Depilatory Creams.Hot Waxing.Threading.Laser Hair Removal.Electrolysis.Medications and Unwanted Hair.

What are the side effects of laser hair removal?

Risks of side effects vary with skin type, hair color, treatment plan and adherence to pre-treatment and post-treatment care. The most common side effects of laser hair removal include: 1 Skin irritation. Temporary discomfort, redness and swelling are possible after laser hair removal. Any signs and symptoms typically disappear within several hours. 2 Pigment changes. Laser hair removal might darken or lighten the affected skin. These changes might be temporary or permanent. Skin lightening primarily affects those who don't avoid sun exposure before or after treatment and those who have darker skin.

How to reduce swelling after laser hair removal?

You might notice redness and swelling for the first few hours after laser hair removal. To reduce any discomfort, apply ice to the treated area. If you have a skin reaction immediately after laser hair removal, the doctor might apply a steroid cream to the affected area.

How long does laser hair removal last?

Results vary significantly and are difficult to predict. Most people experience hair removal that lasts several months, and it might last for years. But laser hair removal doesn't guarantee permanent hair removal. When hair regrows, it's usually finer and lighter in color.

How does a laser work?

When the doctor activates the laser, the laser beam will pass through your skin to the hair follicles. The intense heat from the laser beam damages the hair follicles, which inhibits hair growth. You might feel discomfort, such as a warm pinprick, and you'll likely feel a sensation of cold from the cooling device or gel.

How long does it take to get laser hair removal?

What you can expect. Laser hair removal usually requires two to six treatments. The interval between treatments will vary depending on the location. On areas where hair grows quickly, such as the upper lip, the treatment might be repeated in four to eight weeks.

What is laser hair removal?

Overview. Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light (laser) to remove unwanted hair. During laser hair removal, a laser emits a light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. The light energy is converted to heat, which damages the tube-shaped sacs within the skin (hair follicles) ...

What is the best way to protect your skin from lasers?

The doctor will press a hand-held laser instrument to your skin. Depending on the type of laser, a cooling device on the tip of the instrument or a cool gel might be used to protect your skin and lessen the risk of side effects.

What is emla cream?

Emla cream (lidocaine + prilocaine) caused of type IV allergic contact dermatitis in a 67-year-old man undergoing hemodialysis [38]. In this and the few previously reported cases of hypersensitivity to Emla it was the prilocaine, rather than the lidocaine, that was implicated.

What are the most common cosmetic procedures performed in adolescents?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the most common cosmetic surgeries performed in adolescents are nose reshaping, male breast reduction, ear surgery, laser hair removal, laser treatment of leg veins, and laser skin resurfacing.268 Breast implants and liposuction are the most controversial cosmetic procedures performed, although combined they represent only 5% of cosmetic surgery in this age group. In 2011, 73% of male breast reduction and 28% of otoplasty occurred in this age group.268 The breast augmentation procedures were performed on an outpatient basis.269 These patients are generally healthy. Routine anesthetic induction with endotracheal intubation with no additional invasive monitoring is generally all that is required. This group of patients may be at increased risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting and will benefit from multimodal prophylaxis. Postoperative discomfort is common, requiring administration of systemic opioids or nerve blocks.

Does prilocaine cause methemoglobinemia?

Methemoglobinemia as an adverse effect of prilocaine [11] has been reported more often than with any other local anesthetic. It is caused by a metabolite and is a particular problem in neonates, who have an immature methemoglobin reductase system and residual fetal hemoglobin, increasing the risk of symptomatic methemoglobinemia.

What bleaching cream is best for Fitzpatrick skin?

A bleaching cream such as 4% hydroquinone with or without 0.025% retinoic acid and 2% hydrocortisone can be prescribed for patients with Fitzpatrick skin types III or greater and for patients with a recent sun exposure.

How many treatments are needed for a 50-75% improvement?

As with other regions on the body, an average of 5–7 treatments are needed to obtain a 50–75% improvement. The laser can convert large, pluggy 10–20 follicle grafts into cosmetically more acceptable smaller minigrafts.

What lasers are used to treat hair growth?

The lasers used to treat unwanted hair growth can be grouped into two categories, according to their wavelengths; either the red light systems, the 694 nm ruby lasers or the infrared (IR) light lasers. The IR lasers include the 755 nm alexandrite laser, the 800 nm semiconductor diode laser and the 1064 nm Nd:YAG.

How does laser hair removal work?

Laser Hair Removal. Laser hair removal uses a laser light source to target pigmented hair, destroying the follicle with heat while electrolysis destroys the hair follicle through the use of an electric current directed through a needle or probe , and can be used on pigmented or unpigmented hair.

How does laser hair removal work?

The primary goal of laser hair removal is to utilize a laser to target and kill hair follicles. Once the hair follicle is dead, the hair won’t grow back.

How can I get the most effective hair removal laser treatment?

Multiple treatments are needed for the best results. I advise at least 12 treatments, but there is no set number a person can have to achieve optimal results. The key is to be consistent. Be sure to come back when you are supposed to, which is typically around 4-6 weeks depending on the body area.

Are there any areas on the body people should avoid?

I can laser just about anywhere, but I never shape eyebrows with the laser. It's not precise enough to shape brows, and it's too close to the eyes.

Is it painful?

The procedure isn't usually too painful, but certain areas of the body can be more sensitive, such as the bikini line, or upper lip areas. Pain tolerance varies, so it depends on the person. If a patient has a difficult time with the procedure, a topical numbing cream can be applied one hour before the appointment to provide relief.

What are the risks?

Risks can include burns, blisters, scabs, welts, scarring, pigment changes such as hyperpigmentation, or hypopigmentation, or the possibility that the hair cannot be removed permanently and continues to grow back.

Does it work on all hair colors?

Laser hair removal is best on dark, coarse hair. It will not respond to red, white, or blond hair because the laser light searches for the dark pigment in the hair follicle, so it will not see lighter hair.

Can all skin tones receive laser hair treatment?

With the right laser, all skin types can be treated. The lighter your skin is the safer it is, because the laser is searching for dark pigment. Darker skin types such as Asian, Hispanic, or African skin need to be treated more carefully so that the laser doesn’t burn the skin or upset their pigment in any way.

How long does it take for hair to grow after laser treatment?

Within a few days of the therapy the dormant hair will start growing actively. So a minimum of 4 to 6 sessions, spaced over a few weeks, are required to destroy all the hair in the targeted area. However, the number of sessions required by you will depend on a number of factors like your hair type, rate of regrowth and so on.

What are the stages of hair growth?

The hair on your body are at different stages of growth at any given point of time: 1 Anagen- growing phase 2 Catagen- transitional phase 3 Telogen- resting phase 4 Exogen- shedding phase

Can laser hair removal hurt your eyes?

The strong laser beam used for hair removal is capable of causing injury to the eye, especially while being used on the face. Appropriate eye protection gear should be used to avoid any adverse effects of laser on the eye.

Does laser hair removal work?

Laser hair removal is more effective in certain areas of your body than others. Hair on your face such as the upper lip, chin, sideburns or neck grow back faster than your body hair such as those on your back, arms and legs. The rate of regrowth post treatment varies from person to person but the new hair is usually sparse and finier, making it less apparent.

Is laser hair removal good for dark skin?

Laser hair removal is typically most effective if you have a light skin tone with dark hair. The melanin in the hair absorbs the laser better and gives better results. If you have grey, white or blonde hair, laser hair removal will not be much effective for you. However, the current advances in laser technology has made it possible to make laser hair removal available for people of all skin and hair color.

Can you feel heat from laser therapy?

The level of discomfort felt during laser therapy varies from person to person. Some people may feel a pin-prick like sensation or a little heat. But lasers today come with cooling fans which reduce the heat sensation. Your dermatologist may also use a cooling gel or an anesthetic ointment right before the procedure to minimise the discomfort.

Can laser treatment cause scars?

In some people laser treatment may cause hardening of the treated area which may lead to a scab or a scar. Taking good care of the treated skin as per your doctor’s recommendations will speed up the healing process. A mild moisturiser can be used to relieve irritation.

Answers ( 1)

Great question!The answer stems from how the light energy from lasers and IPL machines affect the hair follicles. Light energy will heat the pigmented portions of the skin and hair components. The energy that builds up in the pigments can achieve a temperature that can damage or destroy the surrounding tissue.

Answer: Laser hair removal

Great question!The answer stems from how the light energy from lasers and IPL machines affect the hair follicles. Light energy will heat the pigmented portions of the skin and hair components. The energy that builds up in the pigments can achieve a temperature that can damage or destroy the surrounding tissue.

How long does it take to get rid of hair after laser treatment?

It is OK to resume shaving or clipping hair in the treated area after 3-4 days. You should not have waxing, plucking or electrolysis done after laser treatment, because these procedures will temporary remove pigmented hairs from the hair roots and reduce the effectiveness of your next laser treatment.

What is velvet effect laser?

Velvet Effect Lasers > Services > Laser Hair Removal. Lasers can remove unwanted hair faster, more comfortably and more reliably any other methods. Whether you are a man or a woman, young or old, laser hair removal is an alternative to plucking, shaving, waxing, electrolysis or chemical depilatories that provide only temporary relief.

How to remove unwanted hair before laser?

Shaving is the best temporary way to remove unwanted hair before laser treatment and between laser treatments. Shaving leaves the hair shafts in the hair follicles so they can be good targets during the next laser treatment, optimizing your results.

What is laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal is a finely tuned sophisticated procedure done with the use of a laser. These specific lasers are designed to remove the growth center at the base of the hair follicle. The laser emits a gentle beam of light that passes through the skin, to the hair follicle, where the laser light is absorbed.

Why is it important to treat hair in an active growing phase?

It is necessary to treat the hair in an active growing phase in order to target the germination cells that produce the hair in the follicle. Because not all hair follicles are in a growing phase at the same time, multiple sequential treatments are required for optimal hair reduction.

How long before waxing can you bleach?

Please shave the area to be treated the morning of the treatment. The less hair on the skin during treatment, the more comfortable the treatment. Avoid the sun 2 to 3 weeks before and after treatment until your technician allows it. You must not bleach, pluck or wax for 3 weeks prior to your treatment.

How to get rid of black dots on skin?

Exfoliating and/or scrubbing gently in the shower with a loofa can help speed up the process. After shedding finishes, you might experience little black dots still “stuck” in the skin. These are commonly referred to as “pepperspots” and will shed eventually, but might take a bit longer.

Overview

  • Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light (laser) to remove unwanted hair. During laser hair removal, a laser emits a light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. The light energy is converted to heat, which damages the tube-shaped sacs within the skin (hair follicles) that produce hairs. This damage inhibits or delays fut…
See more on mayoclinic.org

Why It's Done

  • Laser hair removal is used to reduce unwanted hair. Common treatment locations include legs, armpits, upper lip, chin and the bikini line. However, it's possible to treat unwanted hair in nearly any area, except the eyelid or surrounding area. Skin with tattoos should not be treated either. Hair color and skin type influence the success of laser hair removal. The basic principle is that the pi…
See more on mayoclinic.org

Risks

  • Risks of side effects vary with skin type, hair color, treatment plan and adherence to pre-treatment and post-treatment care. The most common side effects of laser hair removal include: 1. Skin irritation.Temporary discomfort, redness and swelling are possible after laser hair removal. Any signs and symptoms typically disappear within several hours...
See more on mayoclinic.org

How You Prepare

  • If you're interested in laser hair removal, choose a doctor who's board certified in a specialty such as dermatology or cosmetic surgery and has experience with laser hair removal on your skin type. If a physician assistant or licensed nurse will do the procedure, make sure a doctor supervises and is available on-site during the treatments. Be cautious about spas, salons or other facilities t…
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What You Can Expect

  • Laser hair removal usually requires two to six treatments. The interval between treatments will vary depending on the location. On areas where hair grows quickly, such as the upper lip, the treatment might be repeated in four to eight weeks. On areas of slow hair growth, such as the back, the treatment might be every 12 to 16 weeks. For each treatment you'll wear special goggl…
See more on mayoclinic.org

Results

  • Hairs do not fall out immediately, but you will shed them over a period of days to weeks. This may look like continued hair growth. The repeated treatments are usually necessary because hair growth and loss naturally occur in a cycle, and laser treatment works best with hair follicles in the new-growth stage. Results vary significantly and are difficult to predict. Most people experience …
See more on mayoclinic.org

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