Lesson on Laser Hair Removal

Lesson on Laser Hair Removal

What Is Laser Hair Removal?
The process of the use of lasers to remove unwanted body and facial hair is called laser hair removal. Lasers used on the body, produce a high-intensity ray of pure light, which gives off heat energy. Different body tissues absorb this energy, depending on the colour of the laser beam. Thus lasers can safely pass through the skin and destroy the targeted cells under the surface without harming surrounding areas. This heat energy damages the cells at the root of the hair, thus hindering further growth.

The most common areas where laser hair removal is performed are back, bikini line, chest, chin, legs, underarm, and upper lip.

Though the basic principle behind laser hair removal is the same, there are different types of laser hair removal. Each laser has a specific set of benefits and disadvantages, which depend on the skin color and hair colour of the person. Every person has a different metabolism, hormonal level, hair quality and number of hair follicles — alone or combined, can influence the outcome. Normal hair goes through a growth cycle in three stages: the anagen, or growing phase; the telogen, or resting phase; and the catagen, or transitional phase. During the anagen phase, hair is susceptible to the laser’s energy, but during the telogen and catagen phases, it is resistant. So the removal of hair though laser and it's respective percentages depend on the stages.

Let's take a look at the different kinds of laser hair removal systems. There are several kinds of laser light that can be used for hair removal. All of the below mentioned systems use the principles of selective photothermolysis to deliver energy to the hair follicle, thereby destroying them. Five of these systems target the melanin in the hair follicles, except for the Q-switched Nd: YAG systems. This system uses a carbon suspension rubbed into the follicles to enhance absorption.

Long-pulse Ruby Laser: The trade names of this system are Epilaser (Palomar), Epitouch (ESC/Sharplan) and RubyStar (Aesculap). The use of this 694nm ruby laser is limited to patients with lighter skin. This uses an actively chilled handpiece with a synthetic sapphire lens, which cools the skin and enhances optical coupling of the laser beam.

Long-Pulse Alexandrite Laser: The trade names of this system are Gentlelase Plus (Candela) Apogee, PhotoGenica LPIR (Cynosure), EpiCare Series (Light Age, Inc). This 755nm laser is similar to the ruby, but has greater penetration and less melanin absorption due to the slightly longer wavelength.

Diode Laser: The trade names of this system are LightSheer (Coherent), Apex 800 (Iriderm), LaserLite (Diomed), MeDioStar (Aesculap). Solid-state 800nm diode lasers have a longer wavelength and pulsewidth, and thus are better to treat darker skinned patients.

Q-Switched Nd: YAG Laser: The trade names of this system are SoftLight (Thermolase) and Medlite IV (ConBio). This laser has a wavelength of 1064nm, relatively low melanin absorption, and skin penetration up to 5mm — and is considered an apt choice for laser hair removal. Considered safe for darker-skinned patients and effective for short term hair reduction, the Q-Switched Nd:YAG is not prescribed for long term hair reduction.

Long-pulse Nd: YAG Laser: The trade names of this system are Lyra (LaserScope), CoolGlide (Altus), Athos (Quantel), and Depilase (Depilase N.A.). These lasers generate pulse widths that closely match the thermal relaxation time of hair follicles. Research shows that this type does not have any harmful effect on dark skins too, and excellent prolonged depilation.

Intense Pulsed Light: The trade names of this system are EpiLight (ESC/Sharplan) and
MediLux (Palomar). Pulsed Light devices make use of xenon flashlamps to generate multiwavelength noncoherent light for hair removal.

Photodynamic therapy: In photodynamic therapy a photosensitizing compound is applied topically to hair-bearing skin after waxing, to allow the compound to enter the now-empty hair follicle. Thereafter, the area is then irradiated with laser light to activate the photosensitizer — this releases toxic oxygen radicals that damage the hair follicles.

Benefits Of Laser Hair Removal

1. Permanent removal of unwanted hair — 6 months after treatment! No more stubble!
2. Save on money and time, wherein you don’t have to bother about waxing and shaving for the rest of your life, once treated with laser.
3. Lasers are the perfect treatment for ingrown hair. Ingrown hair causes red bumps and skin irritation, which is prevented by laser.
4. Laser hair removal procedure takes less time than other methods such as electrolysis.
5. The process is nearly painless, though in some cases, there may be discomfort, but it definitely involves less pain. Larger areas of hair can be treated neatly and permanently.
6. Lasers are effective on most parts of the body where smoother, hair-free skin is desired.

In a line, comfort, speed and accuracy sums up laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal is a promising new treatment. It is left to you to decide whether you want to make monthly visits to the parlor or just go for laser hair removal!

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Lesson on Laser Hair Removal

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