PROCEDURE:

This newest generation, 755nanometer, Diode LASER effectively removes dark, unwanted, excess, visible hair much faster, more reliably and comfortably and with better long-term success than electrolysis, waxing and intense pulsed light.  The pigment in the hair follicle selectively and maximally absorbs laser energy.  The follicle is “cooked” instantaneously, but there is minimal damage to the surrounding skin because it is less pigmented and therefore absorbs less laser energy.  Additionally, the skin is protected by a special cooling system that touches the skin before the laser fires.  Even so, laser hair removal is part science, technology and experience and part “art”.

There are basically two kinds of hair.  Fine, pale, “vellus” hair usually isn’t visible to the naked eye.  Nor is it sensitive to any wavelength of laser energy.  Thicker, darker “terminal” hairs are sensitive to laser destruction while they are growing because of the dark pigment they contain.  All hair goes thru three distinct phases.  Different locations of our body have different amounts of hair growing in different phases.  Anagen phase-an active growth phase lasts months to years.  The hair is thicker and more pigmented in this phase and is a better “target” for the laser and more sensitive to destruction.  Catagen phase is a short phase, lasting weeks, during which the hair stops growing, but is not yet shed.  Telogen phase is the resting phase.  It lasts weeks to months and at the end of this phase the hair falls out and a new hair begins to form.  During these later two phases the hair follicle is “hibernating” and relatively immune to any type of hair removal treatment.

Damaged hair follicles are gradually absorbed or rejected by the body as part of the normal healing process.  It usually takes several weeks for dead hairs to be released and shed.  PLEASE BE PATIENT.  Depending on the body site, growth phase, thickness and color of the hairs and skin, multiple treatments over a number of months are required to obtain the best results.  (The best results are obtained treating thick, dark hair in light skin.)  With each treatment, you should see less hair and finer, lighter hairs remaining after several months.  Sun exposure may cause prolonged darkening or irregular pigmentation at treatment sites.

Treatment by Diode Laser involves multiple-usually 4 to 6-treatments.  Haired areas may require periodic treatments-perhaps once or twice per year-to maintain optimum results.  Often, we start therapy with several “test spots” after review of your history and examination.  The charge for test spots is applied towards the cost of any treatments you have.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

• Contraindications to procedures with laser include pregnancy; use of medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight, recent or planned sun exposure, history of keloid scarring and bleeding disorders.

RISKS:

• There is a possibility of temporary side effects that resolve in days to weeks.  They include skin reddening; mild burning; swelling; bruising; blistering and temporary discoloration of the skin.  Scarring and permanent discoloration of the skin are very rare if you follow the post treatment instructions.

ALTERNATIVES:

• Injections, electric needles, single and multi-wavelength lasers, dermabrasion and freezing are some of the other methods previously used to treat these problems.  They are generally not as effective, less comfortable, and/or more costly.

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