Many people are troubled by unwanted hair-growth in places such as the underarms, bikini area, legs, back, and face. Previously the only methods available for eliminating it were rather uncomfortable and less effective, but today both women and men are turning to laser hair removal. It works by penetrating the hair follicles with a light beam that is absorbed by the pigments within them which kills the living follicle. Before deciding to undergo laser hair removal Worcester customers should understand what is involved.
The FDA has approved several kinds of lasers which can safely be used for this purpose, these include the Neodymium YAG, alexandrite, and diode models. At one time the only people who could really benefit from this treatment were light-skinned people with dark hair, and they do generally obtain the best results, but advances in technology have now made it possible for darker-skinned individuals to also achieve a good outcome.
Some follicles may be resistant to the treatment, and grow back, which will require additional applications, but most will respond favorably. One area of the body where laser cannot be used is around the eyes, as this can cause damage to the vision. Side effects may be experienced by some people, most commonly, the treatment area will be slightly swollen and tender afterwards or discolored, but this will not persist.
In order to ensure safety, the only person one should allow to perform this procedure is a board certified doctor who has undergone specific training for it. When the patient first sees the doctor for a consultation, the professional will determine if this procedure is suitable and will also explain how it works, what to expect, and the cost.
The patient will be advised to avoid tanning, both with the sun and using sunless tanners, for as many as six weeks prior to the procedure. Other methods of hair removal must also be avoided, with the exception of shaving, which is actually thought to help produce better results.
The procedure itself consists of first outfitting the patient with protective eye-wear and possibly a topical anesthetic that will be applied on the area to be treated. Next, the laser device will be directed at the skin and activated to release light pulses into the follicles, a special cooling tip or gel will prevent the skin from overheating. Small areas should take only minutes while a larger one may take more than an hour.
Once the treatment is completed, it is normal to expect some swelling and redness for the first several hours. Ice or aloe gel can help relieve this discomfort and if indicated, a steroid cream may be prescribed. Pain can also be addressed with analgesic medications. Staying away from direct UV light is necessary as well.
Different factors affect the results each patient will get from the procedure. It's common to require anywhere from four to six sessions before one achieves the desired effect. It's possible that the hair will not regrow for years, especially if one has an annual or bi-annual session to maintain the results.
The FDA has approved several kinds of lasers which can safely be used for this purpose, these include the Neodymium YAG, alexandrite, and diode models. At one time the only people who could really benefit from this treatment were light-skinned people with dark hair, and they do generally obtain the best results, but advances in technology have now made it possible for darker-skinned individuals to also achieve a good outcome.
Some follicles may be resistant to the treatment, and grow back, which will require additional applications, but most will respond favorably. One area of the body where laser cannot be used is around the eyes, as this can cause damage to the vision. Side effects may be experienced by some people, most commonly, the treatment area will be slightly swollen and tender afterwards or discolored, but this will not persist.
In order to ensure safety, the only person one should allow to perform this procedure is a board certified doctor who has undergone specific training for it. When the patient first sees the doctor for a consultation, the professional will determine if this procedure is suitable and will also explain how it works, what to expect, and the cost.
The patient will be advised to avoid tanning, both with the sun and using sunless tanners, for as many as six weeks prior to the procedure. Other methods of hair removal must also be avoided, with the exception of shaving, which is actually thought to help produce better results.
The procedure itself consists of first outfitting the patient with protective eye-wear and possibly a topical anesthetic that will be applied on the area to be treated. Next, the laser device will be directed at the skin and activated to release light pulses into the follicles, a special cooling tip or gel will prevent the skin from overheating. Small areas should take only minutes while a larger one may take more than an hour.
Once the treatment is completed, it is normal to expect some swelling and redness for the first several hours. Ice or aloe gel can help relieve this discomfort and if indicated, a steroid cream may be prescribed. Pain can also be addressed with analgesic medications. Staying away from direct UV light is necessary as well.
Different factors affect the results each patient will get from the procedure. It's common to require anywhere from four to six sessions before one achieves the desired effect. It's possible that the hair will not regrow for years, especially if one has an annual or bi-annual session to maintain the results.
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