Laser hair removal works by sending a beam of laser light to a group of
hair follicles with enough power to destroy those follicles without harming
the surrounding skin. The process is called selective photothermolysis. The
laser beam finds the hair follicles by targeting melanin, the substance that
gives skin and hair dark color. The melanin heats up, causing destruction of
the follicle. Because there is heat involved in this process, your skin will
be cooled at the same time at LaserMedica, using gel, a chilled tip, and
chilled air blown onto the skin.
The best candidates are people with darker hair and lighter skin. The
absolute requirement is that the hair must be darker than the skin. The Laser
will not work on red, white, gray or true blond hair, due to the lack of
melanin in these hair follicles. Black or brown hair of all shades responds
well to the Laser.
Once a Laser destroys an active hair follicle, it can never grow back.
However, Lasers only destroy hair in its active growth phase, the anagen
phase. At any given time, only some follicles are in this growth phase. It is
for this reason that in order to achieve desired results, multiple treatments
are needed.
Typically, four to eight treatments will be necessary to reach the hair follicles while they are in the active growth phase. The number of
treatments will vary depending on skin color, hair color, and the coarseness
and density of hair in the area to be treated.
There is a “prickly” feeling
during treatment. The Chiller helps to reduce this substantially.
We work closely with each patient to adjust the Laser and Chiller settings
as needed within the recommended therapeutic range. Our goal is to provide
each individual with the most effective Laser dose that is also comfortable
for that individual.
Most importantly, keep the area to be treated out of the sun for a minimum
of 10-14 days before treatment. If you will be in the sun, apply a good
sunblock.
Shave the area to be treated the day or night before, leaving just enough
stubble for assessment during your consultation.
Women coming for consultations for facial Laser treatments may want to wait
to shave until after the consultation. It is best to discontinue plucking
prior to Laser treatment in order to receive the most effective treatment.
