Laser hair removal uses a low-energy laser to gently remove unwanted hair. The laser energy passes through the skin and is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle. In a fraction of a second, many of the treated hair follicles are injured by the heat generated by the laser. Laser treatments can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours depending on the size of the area being treated. With the exception of the region close to the eye, almost any area of the body with excess hair can be treated with lasers. The most common areas requested by patients are the face, upper lip, neck, chest, periareolar (breast region), underarms, back, abdomen, bikini line and legs.
Yet while laser treatments for darker skinned patients have improved, patients with tanned skin are still not candidates and must wait until their tan fades before they can be treated. Patients are instructed not to suntan or use sunless tanning products prior to laser treatment, since tanning alters skin pigment and can affect how the skin absorbs the laser energy. This could lead to increased side effects such as blistering or discoloration following treatment.
In addition to a patient’s skin color, their hair color also influences the success of laser hair removal. As a rule, the pigment in dark hair absorbs more laser energy, making black or brown hair easier to treat. Light hair, such as blonde or red, contains a pigment that absorbs laser energy less readily, and therefore does not respond with permanent hair reduction.
The number of hair removal treatments required for optimal long-term benefits usually depends on the area the patient would like to have treated, the hair density, and the patient’s hair growth cycle. Hair grows in cycles and many factors influence its growth. Age, ethnicity, weight, hormones, diet, medication, and metabolism all play a part in a patient’s hair distribution, thickness, and resilience. When necessary, laser treatments are usually repeated at six to eight week intervals.
A typical laser hair removal patient may experience brief swelling and redness following the procedure. Most patients will be completely healed in two to 10 days, although their hair may not fall out for up to two weeks after treatment. Following laser hair removal, patients can return to their normal activities immediately. As always, patients should avoid any direct sun exposure and use a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 since the treated skin will be very sensitive to the sun.