Laser Hair Removal

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Laser Hair Removal
page updated August 2007]
Reviewed by Mitchel P. Goldman, MD
Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery


On this page you'll find information on

Why use a laser?
The best candidates
The procedure
Complications and risks
Consult a qualified doctor or RN
Costs
Imagine not having to deal with the tedium, frequency, expense, and pain of constantly getting rid of unwanted hair. Imagine a laser beam of light that can get rid of your unwanted hair, and keep it away for a long time. Clearly a lot of people like this idea. Patients spent well over $300 million on more than 780,000 laser hair removal treatments in 2005 (according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons).


Why Use a Laser?
One of the best ways to answer "Why use a laser?" is by illustrating why not to use other treatments. Here are a few reasons:

Remember tweezers, shaving, waxing, and depilatory creams? Their disadvantage is that hair usually returns within three to seven days.
Electrolysis provides longer-lasting results than conventional methods. For many, however, electrolysis is too painstaking as it treats one hair follicle at a time. Compared to electrolysis, laser hair removal typically requires fewer treatment sessions, less time per session, and minimal discomfort.
Oral medications such as Spironoolactone (a diuretic) and proscar have also successfully treated unwanted hair. But oral medications may not be appropriate for everyone.
Laser treatment can remove hair from many areas of the body, including the face, upper lip, bikini line, and neck area. The results of the laser can last for many weeks before hair is even slightly visible.

Results in the upper-body last from seven to 11 weeks.
Mid-body results last from ten to 16 weeks.
Leg treatments last from 11 to 17 weeks.
The Best Candidates for Laser Hair Removal
The best candidates for laser hair removal are fully able to comply with aftercare instructions, well-educated about the procedure, and have realistic expectations. Here are some criteria to help you decide if you are a good candidate:

Dark hair, light skin, and course hair are the easiest to treat. These patients typically see the best results and require fewer treatment sessions.
People with dark skin may not be ideal candidates for laser hair removal, but may still benefit from treatment. Under certain circumstances the procedure can be effective.
Blond, grey, and red hairs are more difficult to treat with a laser.
Tanned patients must wait until the tan fades before treatment.
Candidates who suffer from skin disorders such as psoriasis, cystic acne, and dermatitis are not ideal candidates for laser hair removal.
Candidates taking certain medications such as Retin-A or Accutane are excluded from treatment.
Treatment is not appropriate for people who have a pacemaker, who are pregnant, or who have metal screws in the area where the procedure would be performed.
The procedure does not necessarily result in 100 percent reduction of unwanted hair in the first treatment session. Multiple sessions may be needed.
The Laser Hair Removal Procedure
Laser hair removal is performed in a physician's office or laser hair treatment facility. Depending upon the extent of the treatment, time in treatment ranges from one hour to several hours. Keep in mind that multiple sessions may be necessary.

A numbing lotion will first be applied to the targeted area. During the procedure, a laser is used to dispense a fine intense beam of heated light that removes the hair follicles, but preserves the skin in the surrounding area. Unlike electrolysis, which requires the removal of each hair follicle, the laser scans a wide area of the body in the removal process.

Aftercare
Patients return home immediately following the treatment. Normal activities can be resumed immediately; however, exercise, Jacuzzi use, and sun tanning are not recommended for at least 24 hours. No waxing or depilatory creams can be used after laser hair removal.

After the procedure, patients are often advised to gently cleanse the treated area with a mild soap. Your doctor may prescribe a specific lotion that should be used after treatment. An antibiotic ointment and other topical lotions may be required in certain situations.

Most often, discomfort is minimal and does not require medication. Unmanageable pain, or the appearance of red or white bumps, ingrown hairs, or scabs should be reported to your doctor immediately.

Depending upon your personal anatomy, instruction compliance, the type of laser used, and the expertise of the treatment provider, healing begins within a few days of treatment. There will be a follow-up visit to the office for evaluation, and possibly a second treatment session. The number of sessions varies depending on individual characteristics and which area was treated. Additional sessions should not begin until hair has time to regenerate under the skin, which ...