Illustration of a Hair Follicle

Lasers are combating excess, unwanted hair and effectively removing it much faster, more reliably and more comfortably than other standard methods like electrolysis, shaving and tweezing. They have proven to be a giant step forward in hair removal technology.

Excessive hair growth is the result of heredity, hormonal factors, and some medications. Commonly treated areas are the face, back, neck, legs, bikini line, chest and underarms. Any skin area can be treated except eyelids. For optimal results an initial series of four (4) treatments four (4) weeks apart is suggested.

The treatment utilizes a laser beam to target the pigment located in hair follicles. The laser pulses for only a fraction of a second to vaporize the pigment, thus destroying or significantly impeding the hair’s ability to regrow, but not long enough to affect the surrounding skin. The laser offers a cooling device that automatically cools on contact to protect the skin while directing the laser energy to the hair follicle. The laser has a specific wavelength, a ‘set pulse duration’ (pulse width), and a carefully defined beam diameter (called the spot size).

About Hair Removal

• Laser technology has been in use for the last eight years internationally
• Laser Hair removal is the most practical and efficient, least painful and expensive professional method of hair removal
• Each pulse treats an area about the size of a dime
• Treatments are performed by a certified laser practitioner
• Pulse feels like a warm sharp rubber band snap
• It is necessary to retreat because hair is not disabled when in a resting phase
• No noticeable after effects

Indications for Treatment

• Excess/unwanted hair
• Any skin type
• All hair colors

FDA Approval

• FDA clearance for safety and effectiveness achieved in 1997.

FAQs

Laser hair removal is the non-invasive removal of unwanted facial and body hair with the assistance of a laser or intense pulsed light source.

What happens in the treatment?

The procedure is done in the office with topical cream for anesthesia. The dark color of the hair (melanin) absorbs the light energy deactivating the hair follicle’s ability to grow.After the treatment, your skin will be sensitive, slightly red and possibly swollen. This reaction subsides within hours and your skin returns to normal. You may also experience a slight burning sensation of the skin, comparable with a sunburn. Most of the time no special after care is necessary. If you wish, ice packs or a gentle soothing lotion, like Aloe Vera, can be applied to the area. On rare occasions, blistering and/or scabbing may occur. If these reactions occur, the healing will take longer and will require more intensive after care.

What should I do after the treatment?

Avoid sun exposure or tanning for at least 2 months after treatment. Exposure to the sun may cause temporary skin changes and “browning”. A sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher should be applied.

What should I notice over the next few weeks?

Within 2 or 3 weeks after the treatment you will notice ‘regrowth’ or stubble. Some of this is dead hair being expelled by the skin, and some is growing hair that will require additional treatments.

Are multiple treatments required?

The laser only treats hairs that are in their active growth phase. The number of active follicles and their cycle time will vary with each area of the body. Follicles that are in a dormant phase (at least two-thirds) are not affected. Additional treatments are performed as hairs that were dormant become active and begin to grow. The number of sessions will vary with each patient and body area. It’s important to realize that multiple treatments are certainly required.

Is it a permanent treatment?

Unlike traditional methods such as shaving, plucking and waxing, laser hair removal is intended to provide long lasting or permanent reduction in hair.

How does Laser Hair Removal work?

The laser targets the pigment within the hair follicle (melanin), disabling the follicle. The laser is designed to selectively target the follicle without damaging the surrounding skin.

What areas are commonly treated?

For women, the lip and chin are the most common areas we treat followed by the bikini line, legs and axilla (armpits). For men the back, shoulder and upper arms are the most popular areas. It is possible to treat most areas of the body.

Who performs Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is performed as an in office procedure without the need for anesthesia and with immediate return to sedentary activities. Most people experience only a slight stinging or feel nothing at all as the laser pulses are applied. Ms. Burns personally evaluates each patient for hair color, texture, skin type and other medical factors prior to laser hair removal and personally performs the actual hair removal process.

Are there any risks associated with Laser Hair Removal?

As with any medical or surgical procedure there are risks although with laser hair removal they are minimal. Ms. Burns will review all potential risks with you at the time of your consultation prior to laser hair removal.

Are there any pre-treatment preparations?

Yes. Any amount of suntan will make the laser treatment less effective and increase the chances for an adverse effect such as blisters or burning. Therefore sun bathing and tanning are to be avoided prior to the procedure. Additionally, as the follicle beneath the skin contains the melanin that the laser targets waxing, plucking and electrolysis should be avoided for several weeks prior to the procedure. Additionally, the laser should be avoided in cases of active outbreaks of cold sores or Herpes Simplex virus.

How much does Laser Hair Removal Cost?

Costs for laser hair removal vary depending upon the area of the body treated, and we will be happy to quote you prices by phone. Laser hair removal is one of the least expensive procedures in plastic surgery and is affordable for nearly everyone.

How is Laser Hair Removal different from electrolysis?

With electrolysis each hair must be individually treated with an electric current with risk of electric shock, infection and scarring. Electrolysis can take months or even years to complete. The laser non-invasively treats an area with many hairs at one time. For example, it typically takes about thirty seconds to treat the upper lip.

Who is an ideal candidate for the treatment?

The ideal candidate has dark hair and light skin. Dark hairs absorb more of the laser light and lighter skin allows more transmission of the laser light into the follicle.

Illustration of Intense Pulse Light Treatment

Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatments were developed and first introduced by Board-certified dermatologist, Patrick Bitter Jr. MD as a non-invasive method of photorejuvenation to improve the appearance of the skin.

IPL treatments utilize intense pulsed light to effectively treat rosacea, facial flushing, red chests and necks, brown spots, sun damage and irregular skin pigmentation all skin types. Photo damaged skin with hyperpigmentation (brown spots); skin laxity, enlarged pores, wrinkling, and telangiectasia (veins) can be improved with IPL treatments. The short wave length laser light is used to rejuvenate skin of the face, neck, chest, arms or hands. Specific settings are selected for each treatment area for optimal results. Visible improvement is achieved with little discomfort and minimal risk.

During the treatment light energy delivers a series of gentle pulses to the skin non-invasively. With each flash of light there is sequential rejuvenation of the target area without damage to the surrounding skin.

The process begins with a consultation with the physician or staff technicians. A treatment plan and schedule is designed for your skin type and skin areas which will respond best to IPL technology. The IPL treatment receives a high degree of patient satisfaction because there is no downtime, no scarring, discomfort is minimal, and treatments are easy.

About IPL

• Embarrassing redness and flushing of rosacea can be dramatically reduced, medication curtailed
• Sun damaged and aging skin may be noticeably improved
• Reduction of fine lines, freckling, and irregular pigmentation
• Smoothes skin and reduces pore size
• Improvement in stretch marks and cellulite
• In ongoing studies, improvements continued for more than 6 to 12 months in most patients. After the last treatment, many patients are able to reduce or eliminate their rosacea medications
• For people who don’t want to take the time off to heal from laser resurfacing or chemical peels
• For active people who don’t want to interfere with social or outdoor activities
• Office procedure under a topical anesthesia
• Return to usual activities immediately after treatment
• Individual treatments can take 15-45 minutes per area
• Treatment needs to be repeated four times, at 3 to 4 weekly intervals
• Often combined with microdermabrasion and chemical peel

Indications for Treatment

• Younger patients with milder degrees of skin damage or early aging changes
• Pigment Changes/Sun Damage or Aging Skin
• Ruddy Skin Appearances (“Dyschromia”)
• Facial Veins and Redness or Flushing-Rosacea
• Enlarged Pores
• Fine Lines and Wrinkles
• Unwanted Freckles
• Post Face Lift
• Post Laser Resurfacing
• Mild Scarring
• Irregular pigment and skin tone

After Treatment

• Ice packs may be used for ten minutes after treatment for moderate stinging sensation and temporary redness in the skin
• Immediately following a treatment, the skin may appear red and flushed and tiny capillaries may appear more visible. Brown spots generally appear darker. All of these changes gradually fade over a period of hours
• Anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil may be taken for 24 hours
• Elevation of the head will reduce the risk of swelling under the eyes
• Gentle cleansing and sun protection are important until the skin has healed and retuned to normal color

Before IPL Treatment

Before IPL Treatment

After IPL Treatment

After IPL Treatment

NOTE: Approximately 15% of those treated do not see the results they hoped for.