July 21, 2009 | Medical Spa
2 minute read
We think hair is quite sexy…when it’s on top of your head. Anywhere else, it’s another story! These days, if you desire, hair can be removed from your face, legs, back, arms and even underarms.
There are many ways to remove unwanted hair: you might like shaving, plucking, using electronic tweezers, radiofrequency tweezers, waxing, depilatories (creams), electrolysis (inserting a needle into each hair follicle one at a time followed by an electric spark to burn out the follicle). But these methods are temporary. The only permanent and effective treatment to remove unwanted hair is with laser hair removal.
Lasers send a low-energy beam through the skin. The dark pigment (melanin) present in the shaft of the hair follicles absorbs the laser beam. Initial hair reduction is seen immediately after treatment. Permanent results require repeated treatments because of the hair growth cycles.
There are different types of lasers that can be used to remove unwanted hair. The first lasers approved for hair reduction by FDA were the ruby, alexandrite and diode lasers. But these could only be used on select individuals – not those with tans or ethnic skin.
The newest lasers – our Lumenis LightSheer XC – have longer wavelengths and therefore, the ability to treat darker skin types, including African-American skin, Asian skin, and those with a tan. One of the biggest benefits is the convenience; immediately following your hair removal treatment you can return to work, school or any of your regular activities.