Remove Unwanted and Unsightly Hair
Excess hair can be embarrassing and unsightly. At the Ablon Skin Institute we have several laser hair removal systems and can treat all skin types.
How does a laser remove hair?
Laser light systems don’t actually remove the hair. Instead, they kill the unwanted hair by targeting the melanin in the hair follicle; disabling the hair from further growth. Hair removal lasers and light systems use low-energy settings to gently disable unwanted hair, thus putting an end to routine shaving and waxing. These treatments leave your skin looking and feeling smooth and silkier.
What are treatments like?
First, we cleanse and numb the area to be treated. Then the area is scanned with the laser light hand piece. The light energy passes through the skin and is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle. The light energy vaporizes the carbon particles in the follicle, disabling hair growth. Treatments can last from a few minutes to a few hours depending on the size of the area being treated.
What should I consider before deciding to undergo the treatment?
There are numerous ways to remove unwanted hair, including shaving, waxing, the use of depilatory cream, and electrolysis. Unfortunately, all of these treatments can only provide temporary results. Even electrolysis has failed to produce permanent hair removal in most cases.
Specific lasers to target hair follicles have been developed to treat unwanted hair effectively.
The following factors should be considered in your decision to undergo this laser treatment:
- An average of 4 to 6 treatment sessions may be required to obtain the amount of hair thinning or elimination that you desire.
- Treatment sessions are done at intervals of 4 to 8 weeks apart depending on the area treated.
- The sensation produced by the laser has been likened to that of a sparkler tingling the skin. Certain skin areas may be particularly sensitive therefore most patients use a topical anesthetic cream which is applied in the office about 20 minutes prior to treatment.
- Immediately after treatment, there is usually no skin reaction. Sometimes, a patient may experience mild redness and swelling, which typically resolves within a couple of hours.
- Hair regrowth may occur more quickly in areas known to produce hair rapidly, such as the chin and cheeks, than in regions typically associated with slower hair growth, such as the chest and back. Patients usually report that the hair regrowth is slower, finer in texture, and more sparse after laser treatment.
- Although existing laser research indicates that laser treatment is a safe and effective method to remove hair, there is no guarantee that laser treatment will be able to eliminate your unwanted hair completely.
- It must be noted that paradoxical hair growth can be seen in rare cases typically with underlying hormonal imbalances.
To schedule a consultation, call (310) 727-DERM (3376).