Laser Hair Removal

What is laser hair removal(LHR)?

Laser Hair Reduction is the process of removing unwanted hair by means of exposure to pulses of laser light that destroy the hair follicle. The efficacy of laser hair removal is now generally accepted in the dermatology community. LHR is widely practiced in clinics.

It can permanently reduce hair growth, most effectively in darker, coarser hair.

How laser hair removal works?

The primary principle behind laser hair removal is selective photo thermolysis (SPTL), the matching of a specific wavelength of light and pulse duration to obtain optimal effect on a targeted tissue with minimal effect on surrounding tissue. Lasers can cause localized damage by selectively heating dark target matter, melanin, in the area that causes hair growth, the follicle, while not heating the rest of the skin.

Because of the selective absorption of photons of laser light, only black or brown hair can be removed. Laser works best with dark coarse hair. Light skin and dark hair are an ideal combination, being most effective and producing the best results, but new lasers are now able to target black hair in patients with dark skin with some success.

What are the indications of LHR?

LHR indications –

  • Cosmetically unwanted hair growth like – upper lip, chin, beard area, axillae, bikini area in females.
  • Hirsutism.
  • congenital or drug induced hypertrichosis.
  • Pseudofolliculitis.
  • Acne keloidalis nuchae.

What are the contraindications of LHR?

Contraindications are –

  • Active infection on treatment site.
  • Very sensitive skin.
  • Superficial cuts-injury.
  • Keloidal tendency.
  • Most importantly person with unrealistic expectation.

What are the advantages of procedure?

  • Safe.
  • Fewer sessions than waxing.
  • Easy.
  • Very effective.
  • 50-60% permanency with prolonnged hair removal.
  • Less Discomfort.
  • Large areas can be treated in one session.
  • Faster results.
  • Fewer side effects.
  • Better patient compliance.
  • It does not take much time to do the procedure.
  • Dermatologist can do this procedure in OPD basis.

What are the disadvantages of this procedure?

  • To find desire results, you have to do many sittings.
  • Expensive.
  • Not effective for grey or white hair.

How much time required to do the laser hair removal procedure?

Normally 25 to 30 minutes required to do procedure, but depends upon area also where we want to do procedure.

How much gap require between two procedures?

On an average 4 to 6 weeks gap requires between two procedure.

How many sittings required?

Normally 5 to 7 sittings but depends upon size of area, hair thickness, colour of skin, colour of hair and many more factors.

Do I require touch up of laser hair removal procedure?

Sometimes yes and sometimes no.

Is laser hair removal procedure painful?

Mild pain or pricking sensation during LHR procedure.

Is the result permanent?

Yes but in some cases like – women who has PCOD, result is not permanent.

Which are the areas we can treat with laser hair removal procedure?

We can do this procedure mainly on face but any part of the body.

What care require before and after procedure?

We will apply an after laser cream and sunblock to your face or treatment area before you go home. You can apply makeup and going back to work if you wish.

Doctor will tell you what to do and what not to do. Follow doctor’s instructions to see best results.

How much will be recovery time?

Almost no down time or few hours.

What are the side effects?

Some normal side effects may occur after laser hair removal treatments, including itching, pink skin, redness, and swelling around the treatment area or swelling of the follicles (follicular edema). These side effects rarely last more than two or three days.

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