Women Beauty Diary » Laser Hair Removal

Laser Hair Removal Information

Shilah — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 23:30:23 +0000

Choosing to find laser hair removal information is your first step to successfully getting rid of unwanted body hair and unwanted facial hair. However, many people are not quite sure where to look. Also, many people are not sure whether they are good candidates for removing hair with lasers.

The first place many of us look is the World Wide Web. This is the most convenient and most exhaustive hub of information. Laser hair removal information can be found easily on the Internet but it is best to visit several sites before making a decision.

Some sites are less concerned with providing laser hair removal information than they are in selling the service. It is always a good idea to consider the source when conducting such searches. You also want to make sure that you visit more than one or two sites.

Sometimes the laser hair removal information on one site varies from another. This conflicting information is confusing and aggravating.

Of course, some opt to visit an individual who provides the hair removing service but you still are not guaranteed to get the best laser hair removal information from this source. Many would argue that this is not the best source for depilatory facts because it is a sales-based business.

However, a smart clinic will be sure to provide the best laser hair removal information available because its reputation is at stake. One customer who is dissatisfied can wreak havoc on such a service provider in relatively little time. Word of mouth advertising is a crucial part of the beauty business.

Part of the concern many potential depilatory customers face is whether or not the service is right for them. There are some things to consider when deciding if you should pursue more laser hair removal information or not. There are several qualitative features of a successful candidate for this type of hair remover.

The ideal candidate has dark hair and dark skin. Redheads and fair-skinned individuals may not be well suited for this approach to removing unwanted hair because there can be some marks left behind. Good laser hair removal information will chart the physical characteristics attributed to a good candidate.

You also want to consider your willingness to make return visits. Some laser hair removal information asserts that some customers see only a 40 percent reduction in the follicle growth on their first visit. You may be required to make more than a few trips to achieve success. It may be hard for some of us to stay away from the razors and the depilatory creams in the meantime.

Necessary Care After Laser Hair Removal

Shilah — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:43:42 +0000

Laser hair removal, although a simple process, does require proper care of the skin in the area that was treated. Generally there is little recovery time needed regarding laser hair removal procedures. People can usually return to normal activities immediately after treatment. However, it is important to take the time to follow the recommended guidelines for aftercare in order to protect against any chance of a complication and to reduce any discomfort that may be experienced.

Following laser hair removal treatment, it is not uncommon for the skin to be slightly swollen and red in the treated area. Some people describe it as feeling like a mild sunburn, with slight puffiness and irritation. Placing a cooling preparation such as a cold compress, cold pack, or aloe vera, on the affected area will ease the temporary mild burning sensation. Some people experience this burning sensation for only a few hours, while others may feel it for a day or two. This is the time it takes for the skin to return completely to its normal state.

It is important to apply a total sunblock to the area that was treated with laser hair removal if it is going to be exposed to sunlight. A sunblock with an SFP of 30 or higher should be applied. Irritation and a burning sensation of the treated areas can result from even the slightest exposure to the sun. Sunlight should be avoided for three weeks following laser hair removal. This will prevent hyperpigmentation from occurring.

Moisturizing creams can also have a beneficial effect on the treated areas and help to prevent tissue crusting or scabbing. These creams can be bought over the counter or be prescribed by your practitioner. It usually is not necessary to use antibacterial cream. In fact, antibacterial creams might cause drying of the skin in the area that was treated with laser hair removal. Healthy skin is important for successful laser treatments and moisturizing every day will help to keep your skin that way.

As long as the skin is not broken, it is safe to apply makeup to the areas of the skin that have undergone laser hair removal treatments. The makeup used should be new and applied with clean fingers or a new clean sponge. Make of also helps to act as an additional sunblock.

Following a laser hair removal treatment, it is best to take warm, quick showers. It is best to use a gentle cleanser and avoid harsh soaps that may dry the skin. If any area of the body other than the face as has been treated, hot baths should be avoided for a couple of days.
The area of treatment should not be shaved for four or five days. After that time, it is okay to begin shaving again. Tweezing, waxing, plucking, and bleaching should not be done at all during, or in between, laser hair removal treatments.

If any blistering occurs, immediately apply a topical antibiotic cream or ointment and cover it with a non-adhering dressing. Immediately notify the laser technician or your physician.

After a few days, you will usually notice the hair that was treated by laser hair removal begins to shed. This should be expected and is a normal part of the treatment and recovery.

How Lasers Work In Laser Hair Removal

Shilah — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:39:42 +0000

Laser hair removal works by the process of selective targeting of a specific area of the body and using a specific wavelength to absorb light into that area. It does not work on a hair by hair basis, instead it focuses a wide beam of light that treats many hairs at one time. The wavelength of light absorbed has to be sufficient enough to damage the targeted tissue area while leaving the surrounding area basically untouched. The principle behind this process is called selective photothermolysis.

Lasers are intense beams of monochromatic and coherent light. These light beams are produced by laser devices that contain either minerals or gases. The four main types of lasers are solid state, semiconductor, gas and dye.

An electric current stimulates the gas or mineral properties which excites the atoms. The atoms then emit narrow, cohesive, parallel light beams which are all the same wavelength. The light beams are focused just for a fraction of a second on the dark hair pigment at the matrix of the dermal papilla, which is the small, cone shaped indentation at the base of the hair follicle that the hair bulb fits into. The light beam is absorbed and heats the pigment which vaporizes the dermal papilla. The more intense the light beam the hotter it makes the pigment. This results in the dermal papilla being severely damaged or destroyed.

Most people believe that laser hair removal works best on hair that is in its anagen phase. This means that the hair is actively growing and is attached to the dermal papilla. The theory behind this belief is that if the dark pigment in the hair shaft extends all the way down to the dermal papilla, it will be destroyed and vaporized by the coherent light beam that is focused upon the area. This happens because the light beam will follow the dark pigment all the way down to the derma papilla.

Visible light has wavelengths that range from 390 to 770 nm, or nanometers. Lasers operating in this range allows for successful laser hair removal without causing any damage to the dermal tissue. Lasers with a light source that operates between 700 to 1000 nm targets melanin in the hair shaft effectively. For example, the wavelength of an alexandrite laser is 755 nm, which is red in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum, making its target melanin. The stronger, or greater, the wavelength, the deeper it penetrates target selectively absorbing the wavelength.

Laser hair removal uses several varying wavelengths of laser energy. These wavelengths range from near infrared radiation to visible light. The three most commonly used lasers for hair removal are Alexandrite, Pulsed diode array, and NeoDymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnets, Also know as Nd:YAGs. The wavelengths of these lasers are 755nm, 810nm, and 1064nm respectively.

Laser hair removal utilizes a complex system of science and physics which are precisely balanced to work effectively and safely on the human body. As technology continues to advance in laser hair removal, this process continues to grow in popularity.

The History Of Laser Hair Removal

Shilah — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:01:42 +0000

The lasers used for laser hair removal developed from a theory instituted by the Nobel prize-winning physicists Albert Einstein and Max Planck. This theory, first introduced in the 1920s, defined stimulated emission, or laser. The word laser is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that the first true laser was built and patented by Gordon Gould, an American physicist.

Laser hair removal devices of the 1960s sent out a continuous wavelength which caused damage to the surrounding skin tissue. In the late 1960s, Dr. Leon Goldman was the first to begin testing a ruby laser for hair removal. It was also in this time frame that the Q switch with developed for use with a laser. With the development of the Q switch it was possible to control the energy of the laser beam to be sent to out in controlled pulses. The Q switch worked much in the same way as a camera shutter.

Early devices for laser hair removal proved to be ineffective. In order to remove the hair follicle, there was severe damage to the surrounding skin area. The ruby laser, as well as the argon laser, are no longer used for laser hair removal.

Throughout the next several decades, researchers and physicists continued to experiment and test lasers for successful hair removal. It wasn’t until the 1980s that the first laser was introduced as a safe and effective method of hair removal. This discovery actually happened by chance when scientists noted that birthmarks treated with certain types of lasers caused the hair in that area to disappear and not grow back.

The FDA cleared the first laser for hair removal in 1995 . This laser, called the Soft Light, was a NeoDymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnets laser and was manufactured by Thermolaise. This laser was used with a chromophore of carbon-based lotion. After the skin was waxed, the carbon-based lotion would be rubbed onto the skin and enter the hair follicle. The beam of light produced by the laser would heat the carbon quickly and destroy the hair follicle. However, this type of laser treatment could easily damage nearby skin cells. Eventually, this type of laser hair removal proved to be less effective than targeting the natural pigmentation that existed in the skin.

In 1997, several types of laser hair removal devices were cleared by the F DA. One of these was the ruby laser, which used a shorter wavelength system. However, clinical research eventually showed that the laser did not produce damage far enough down the hair shaft to result in permanent hair loss. Researchers also found that if a t the ruby laser was used on people with dark or tan skin there was a high risk of hyperpigmentation. Other types of laser hair removal devices today include alexandrite, diode, and NeoDymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnets lasers.

Research and development in the area of laser hair removal are still in the early stages. However, continuing research, testing and development in this area continues to produce safer and more effective equipment.

An Overview Of Laser Hair Removal

Shilah — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:02:42 +0000

Laser hair removal is an excellent way of removing unwanted hair. This is accomplished by sending a light beam of a specific wavelength onto the skin from the laser. The beam of light is sent through a hand piece into the skin, where it attacks the darker pigmentation of the hair follicle. This causes damage and destruction of the hair follicle without damaging the skin tissues around it. Some people do experience permanent hair loss, while others do need to repeat the procedure. Sometimes when hair does grow back it is lighter in color and finer and texture.

There are four types of lasers that are used for hair removal. They are Ruby, Alexandrite, Diode, and NdYAG. Each of these four lasers are different in many ways and are used for different skin types. The ruby laser is able to focus in on small areas and can be used on both dark and light skin. However, this laser works best on light skin. The alexandrite laser is very versatile and can be used on many different types of hair. It is able to focus on large areas and is very easy to customize. The diode laser uses a much longer wavelength which makes it very effective on most types of skin. The NdYag laser works well on people with dark hair and dark skin.

Laser hair removal is not a good treatment option for everyone. It is not recommended for people with certain medical conditions or disorders. It also is not an effective treatment for people with white, gray or very light-colored hair. People that have hair of these colors do not have pigments in their hair to absorb the energy from the laser. Laser hair removal works about system on people with light skin and dark hair.

In some instances, such as the removal of facial hair, one treatment may be enough. In other areas of the body, often a series of treatments must be given to remove the unwanted hair. Many times, laser hair removal is the last resort for people after years of using other methods to rid themselves of the excess hair.

Although laser hair removal is considered safe, it is important to have your treatments done by an experienced, licensed professional. If the treatments are not done correctly, you run the risk of burns, blistering, skin discoloration, or a patchy uneven hair regrowth. Take the time to meet with several specialists in your area, and then decide which one is right for you. For the best results follow all the guidelines that your doctor gives you both before and after your laser hair removal treatments.

The cost of laser hair removal can be expensive, and since it is considered a cosmetic procedure, it is not covered by insurance. Generally, a payment plan can be arranged for treatments. The average cost per treatment for laser hair removal in the United States is between $425 and $500 and many people need three to four sessions.

Laser hair removal is an excellent alternative to other types of hair removal and should seriously be considered by those who are troubled by excessive hair growth.

A Typical Laser Hair Removal Treatment

Shilah — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:13:42 +0000

When the day arrives for you to have your first laser hair removal treatment, it is normal to feel nervous and possibly a bit anxious. This is because it is something you have never done before and you are not sure what to expect. Try to relax and think of this visit as any other doctor visit.

If there is a wait once you arrive at the office, try to keep your mind busy so you will not worry about the upcoming procedure. Perhaps a friend could accompany you to your appointment, or, if you are alone, read a book or magazine. Having your payment ready will also help you to relax as it will be one less thing you need to worry about.

When it is your turn to enter the treatment room, you will be instructed to remove all necessary clothing and a gown will be provided. If photographs of the area to be treated with laser hair removal were not taken during the consultation, the nurse or assistant will take them now.

The area to be treated will be washed to cleanse it of any lotions, cosmetics, perfumes or deodorants. It will then be prepped with alcohol. Depending on the procedure, the area may, or may not, be shaved. Your skin may be cooled before treatment to help reduce any side effects from occurring. You, and everyone else in the room, will be given safety goggles to wear during the procedure.

The doctor, or technician, who is doing the laser hair removal procedure will preform a patch test. This will give him a chance to gauge your tolerance of the treatment and also select the correct fluence levels. It will also give you the opportunity to experience how the laser feels and hopefully relieve some of your anxiety. A single pulse will be sent to the test area, which will be near the area to be treated. It will be examined for any sings of damage to the skin such as blistering or separation.

When the doctor is ready to start the procedure, he will aim the laser at the hair follicles of the area to be treated. Because the hair follicles have a dark pigmentation, they will absorb the energy from the laser’s light. The time that is needed for the procedure will depend on the amount of hair to be removed, the spot size of the beam, and the scanning pattern of the hand piece that the doctor is using. Laser hair removal treatments can take anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes, depending upon the area treated.

Many people say that the laser feels like a rubber band being snapped on your skin. Others describe it as more intense than that. If you are feeling discomfort or pain, you will be given a topical anesthesia or cooling remedies.

Once the laser hair removal treatment is completed, you will be ready to get dressed and discuss post treatment care. You may experience some temporary side effects such as redness and swelling, which usually disappear within a day or two.

Once you have experienced your first laser hair removal treatment you will be much more relaxed if you require additional treatments.

Common Questions About Laser Hair Removal

Shilah — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:43:42 +0000

Are you looking into laser hair removal? Are you unsure of just what all is involved? If so, you found the right article. This article will answer some of the common questions involving laser hair removal.

What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is the process of using a laser to help reduce hair growth.

How Does It Work?
The laser produces a high amount of heat and when directed at the hair, finds the hair follicle and damages the root. This helps prevent the hair growing back.

Who Qualifies for Laser Hair Removal?
Unfortunately laser hair removal is not for everyone. It is better for people with dark hair and light skin. If your skin is darker you will want to discuss laser hair removal with your practitioner. Laser hair removal will not work on blonde, red, white or grey hair. People that tan will have to let their tan fade before doing laser hair removal.

Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?
Laser hair removal will only reduce the hair growth. Each patient will have a different laser hair removal experience.

What Is The Cost of Laser Hair Removal?
The cost of laser hair removal will vary depending on the clinic, your area and region. Contact a laser hair remover facility of your choice to find out more.

Are There Any Side Effects to Laser Hair Removal?
Unfortunately yes. Just like any other technique such as laser hair removal. A person could experience many different things such as:

* Temporary Rash
* Skin Discoloration
* Blistering
* Scarring
* Crusting
* Scabbing
* Skin texture change

What Parts of the Body Can Be Used for Laser Hair Removal?
There are actually quite a few areas you can do. Here are some of the many choices:

Face, Neck, Chin, Toes, Feet, Upper Lip, Bikini Line, Fingers, Between the Brow, Arms, Legs, Chest, Stomach, Ears, Hairline

What Kind of Results Can You Expect With Laser Hair Removal?
You can expect to see around fifty to eighty percent of hair reduction growth. It will depend on each individual having the treatment done. Some might experience better results than other with laser hair removal.

Before and After Laser Hair Removal
Before you can do this procedure there are things you should know. If you are tanning you must let your tan fade first before using laser hair removal. You also do not want to pluck, wax, sugar or tweeze before your treatment. This will leave no hair left to be treated!

Do not moisturize before your treatment. This means you cannot use any body lotions, moisturizers, perfumes or sunscreen. After your laser hair removal treatment you do not want to mess with your treated skin. Do not pick at it, etc. You also do not want to interfere with the treatments effectiveness by plucking or waxing. Try to avoid any direct sun exposure to your skin.

When your treatments are complete use sunscreen and avoid tanning beds. Try not to do anything that will cause you to sweat. This could cause irritation to the treated skin. Talk with your practitioner after your treatment to discuss any further details or instructions.

Contraindications Of Laser Hair Removal

Shilah — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:49:42 +0000

There are people that should not have laser hair removal because of one or more specific reasons. These reasons are called contraindications, which mean, that it is inadvisable to have the treatment or procedure. The treatment could be dangerous or cause permanent side effects. Other contraindications require special treatment or medication before laser hair removal can be started.

Women that are pregnant should not have laser hair removal. Although there is not significant information regarding laser usage and pregnancy, many physicians and health care providers recommend avoiding laser treatments because of the unknown effects on the on the unborn child.

Anyone that has herpes simplex virus I or II should tell the doctor that is preforming the laser hair removal before treatments have begun. It is necessary to take a prescription antiviral medication for several days both before and after the treatment. If the hair removal is in the area of previous outbreaks, it is possible that the heat from the laser will cause a flare up of the herpes virus. If a herpes outbreak is active, either on the face or genital area, it is important to reschedule the laser hair removal treatment.

An appointment should also be rescheduled if there is any cut, broken, irritated or inflamed skin in the area that is to be treated. Rescheduling is also necessary if there is an active infection anywhere within the body.

Anyone that has the condition of albinism, which is the absence of any color pigment in the hair or skin, should not have laser hair removal. Laser light is drawn to dark pigmentation so it will not work on anyone with this condition. The same holds true for people with very light blonde, red, grey, or white hair.

People that are sunburned or have recently tanned should postpone their treatment until their skin has returned to its normal color which could take several weeks. It is important that skin is its natural color when laser hair removal takes place.

Certain oral and topical medications can cause photosensitivity or photoallergic reactions if used before laser hair removal treatments take place. Accutane should be discontinued three months before treatment begins. Tetracycline and Retin A should be discontinued six weeks before the laser hair removal process.

Anyone that suffers from certain medical conditions, such as lupus, diabetes, or epilepsy, should not have laser hair removal. Any nervous disorders which are present, need to be evaluated before laser treatment begins. If hirsutism is present, the cause should be diagnosed and treated before any laser treatment is started.

If there is a mole in the area to be treated, many people decide to have it removed before treatment. Because of the dark pigmentation of the mole, it may attract to much heat from the laser and cause burning. The same holds true for certain birthmarks and beauty marks.

If there is a history of keloid scarring, it is important to know that there is a higher danger of scarring from the treatments.

The importance of knowing the contraindications of laser hair removal can protect you from a dangerous experience.

The Types Of Lasers Used For Laser Hair Removal

Shilah — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:06:42 +0000

You may not have known but there are four different types of lasers used for hair removal. Some clinics offer non laser hair removal. Remember to check out your options before making a decision.

Ruby Laser: This laser used for hair removal has a very powerful pulse. It is also known as being the recommended laser for people with lighter skin. If set on a lower setting it can be used on darker skin. This is one of the oldest lasers used for hair removal. The fact that this laser can only treat smaller areas has made it less requested.

Alexandrite Laser: This laser used for hair removal is versatile. The range can be customized as well as the size of the area. It will depend on the coarseness of the hair being removed. This hair removal laser is very effective and fast. Even more so with larger areas of hair on the body. This laser is the fastest one used for hair removal. You can request this laser or use it with confidence that it will give you great results.

The ND Yag Laser: This laser used to remove hair is known to be one of the greatest lasers. It treats darker or tanned skin and coarser hair the best. This laser has a long pulse unlike the ruby laser that has a very fast pulse. The downside to the long pulse is you might feel more discomfort during your session.

The Diode Laser: This laser used for hair removal is versatile also. It has a design that is wavelike and treats a range of different skin types. This laser is used more for people with darker skin. It gives better results on darker skin rather than lighter skin. This laser will cover the larger areas of the body and has a faster treatment time.

These hair removal lasers have their own certain areas they treat best. This should be of less concern to you and more to your practitioner. Find a practitioner you can trust to choose the best option for your specific need.

Some clinics will offer a non-laser hair removal procedure. If this interests you as well, discuss this with your practitioner. You want to be sure you know your options before having a laser hair removal procedure. What if it really isn’t for you and you do not take the time to realize that?

How many people have a procedure done only to later turn around and say they wish they wouldn’t have? Not very many, but you do not want to be one of the few. Everyone should get all the information that they can on a procedure such as laser hair removal.

Knowing what kind of lasers they use and their benefits will help make you at ease during your treatment. Knowing about the equipment and process of a procedure can be very calming to some patients.

You will have a better idea of what to expect during your laser hair removal process as well. Is it going to hurt? It might actually depend on the laser used. You will not know until you talk with your practitioner. Make sure they are highly qualified as well. This will also help with achieving the best laser hair removal results.

What You Should Know About Laser Hair Removal

Shilah — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:05:42 +0000

Are you considering laser hair removal? If so you should read on to find out what you should know before deciding. Something like this is a rather major change. You want to know all the facts before you commit to something such as laser hair removal.

Are you eligible for laser hair removal? If your hair is darker than your skin you might be okay. It is not recommended that any person tanning with dark hair do this. If you are tanning, you will have to wait until your tan fades. Then you can proceed with laser hair removal. If you tan but have light hair, it is not recommended for you.

If you are dark skin you might not want to do it. The pigments in your dark skin will absorb laser energy. The darker your skin is the harder it is to perform laser hair removal. You will have to have more treatments and this will make the cost go up as well.

You can treat most areas of the body. The main areas are: Neck, Chest, Underarms, Back, Abdomen, Bikini Line, Legs and Face. You cannot have laser hair removal anywhere around the eyes. The laser is harmful to your eyes so you should wear eye protection during the treatments no matter what area you have done.

Know your options to laser hair removal. You could continue shaving, tweezing, bleaching or even waxing. While these may not sound as great, they might be better for you. The lasers produce highly concentrated beams of light that will penetrate your skin and find your hair follicle. This will produce a hot heat and damage the follicles, preventing them from future growth.

When preparing for laser hair removal you do not want to use any other type of hair removal product. That means no tweezing or waxing or anything similar. The laser hair removal will be hard to perform if there is no hair there to remove!

You also do not want to tan or moisturize. If you tan the laser could burn your skin and if you moisturize it could block the laser energy and maybe even give you an allergic reaction. Avoid both of these at all costs!

How much can you expect to spend? It will vary depending on your location and laser hair removal facility of course. According to a 2000 survey of ASAPS the average cost per treatment (one) for each of the following regions was:

* Midwest: $497
* East: $458
* South: $307
* West: $469
* National Average: $360

Contact your local laser hair removal clinic to find out the costs. If they happen to be a bit too high for you check the closes surrounding laser hair removals clinics. Maybe they are a bit more in your price range.
Keep in mind when doing laser hair removal that it does not mean one hundred percent of your hair will be gone. Each person is different and some may require more treatments than others. You will definitely see a significantly reduced amount of hair.

You might end up with a type of sunburn like reaction after laser hair removal. You could even have blotches, discoloring, blistering and scarring and even crusting or scabbing. Talk to your professional to find out if laser hair removal is right for you.