Laser Center Hair Removal
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
All aesthetic laser treatments technically operate the same way when performing a hair removal treatment or procedure. The cosmetic laser or IPL uses light energy to destroy the hair folicle.
It is important that patients about to undergo a laser hair removal treatment or procedure not to wear dark clothing near the area to be treated. While very unlikely, the pigment in the clothing could potentially be absorbed by the aesthetic laser or IPL light and can result in a burn. Patients should be instructed to refrain from using any body washes, lotions, cosmetics, or any skin medications the day of the treatment.
Some patients may prefer to have a topical anesthetic applied prior to the procedure. If any residue of the anesthetic remains, it should be wiped clean from the skin. Often a cooling gel or other cooling apparatus is applied to the skin.
Patients with darker skin types or suntanned skin could experience a paradoxal response where the laser or light therapy may stimulate more hair to grow instead of causing follicular destruction. Patients with dark or ethnic skin types should be spot tested a month before proceeding with a full treatment. A patch test should be performed on the intended treatment area. After waiting 10 to 15 minutes, the area is checked for unusual redness swelling, bruising, or any other undesirable responses. If the area emits a slight reddish hue with no other abnormalities, the device settings are optimal.
Some cosmetic lasers or IPLs, IPL in particular, require a second pass over the intended treatment area at a different parameter. Before proceeding with the second pass, the skin should be carefully examined for adverse effects.
Laser Hair Removal – Post Treatment
After a Intense Pulsed Light Device (IPL) or cosmetic laser hair removal procedure the patient may experience a mild burning sensation and redness. Exposure to ultraviolet light (sun, tanning beds/booths) should be avoided. A sunscreen with an SPF 20 UVA and UVB protection should be applied to the skin prior to leaving the office.
If the treatment area shows burning or blistering the supervising physician should be contacted immediately. A topical antibiotic medication should be applied to the area covered by a loose fitting, non-adherent bandage.
Some patients may experience pigment changes such as lightening or darkening of the skin that could last for weeks or possibly months.
It is important to educate the patient about the process of hair follicle destruction. The patient should be made aware that an actively growing hair is the only follicle which will respond to laser and light therapy. In the weeks following the procedure, the portion of the hair which remains under the skin (after shaving prior to the procedure) needs to be expelled. The patient will begin to see these hairs protrude from the follicles which may be misinterpreted as regrowth. This is especially more noticeable in areas of the body which has thicker or more coarse hair such as the axillae and genetalia. After a week following the procedure, you can instruct your patient to use a mild loofa or exfoliating sponge during showering to aid in the expulsion of the hairs.
It’s important to note that no laser or IPL device can destroy all of the hair follicles after only one treatment. It usually takes at least 6. Some hairs are in their dormant state, some have been placed into a
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