Skeptical about trying out permanent hair reduction treatments? Here’s your handy guide to the pros and cons of the popular laser hair removal treatment.
Get rid of unwanted facial hair
With cosmetic procedures making a breakthrough in the beauty industry, the number of people opting for these treatments has increased considerably. Botox, acne removal and laser hair reduction are just some of the treatments that are gaining in popularity. In fact, laser treatments seem to have dominated the entire medicine industry, from eye corrections to acne reduction.
However, in case of hair removal, there are a few points to be taken into consideration.
Laser hair reduction – the mechanism
Types of laser treatments:
There are several lasers for hair removal available. No one laser is ideal for every individual and depending on your skin and hair colour, some lasers are more effective than others.
Older generation lasers were slow, very painful and worked only on individuals with very dark hair and very light skin. Today, lasers can work on all skin colours and some lasers are even safe for treating tanned skinned.
The Diode Laser is safer for darker skin types, but with less efficacy for lighter and finer hair.
The long pulse Nd:YAG can be used on all skin types, including tanned skin. The disadvantage is that it’s less effective for fine and light hairs.
How do laser treatments work?
Laser treatment for hair removal/reduction works by applying heat to a specific portion of the hair follicle, destroying the melanin pigment responsible for the dark colour and reducing the appearance of unwanted hair on various parts of the body. This heat treatment is known as selective photothermolysis and involves the careful selection of a particular wavelength of light and pulse duration so as to involve minimal exposure of the laser to the skin or tissue, thereby reducing possible damage.
Wavelength parameters
The wavelength plays a major role in laser-operated treatments since the range differs from person to person depending on the hair thickness, colour and also the colour of the skin beneath. Since argon, Alexandrite and ruby are no longer used in laser treatments and are mostly suitable for very pale skinned people, Indians with a slight tan should opt for pulse diode array which is the most commonly used wavelength type.
Laser hair reduction – Efficacy and sessions
The efficacy and success percentage largely depends on the laser operator, and also to some extent on the device and wavelength used for carrying out the treatment. Patients normally require six to eight sittings to get done with the treatment. However, those with active hair growth due to hormonal changes or genetic factors may re-grow the hair post treatment.
The number of sessions required is determined by keeping in mind the thickness of hair, the area to be treated, certain medical conditions causing unwanted hair growth, PCOS, hereditary factors etc.
Side effects of laser hair reduction
Redness, itching, pink skin and follicular oedema (localised swelling after the treatment) are the most commonly observed minor side effects that usually become less noticeable within two to three days. However, there are certain serious side effects including skin discoloration and acne that cannot be ruled out. With the fear of pain associated with these treatments, a large number of patients opt for numbing creams which have potentially hazardous effects on the skin including hyperpigmentation and burning of the skin.
Laser hair reduction – Post treatment care
1. Avoid excessive sun exposure to reduce the chance of dark or light spots. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 25 or higher at all times throughout the treatment.
2. Immediately after the treatment, there could be redness and bumps at the treatment area, which may last up to 2 hours or longer. It is normal for the treated area to feel like sunburn for a few hours. Use a cold compress if needed.
3. If there’s any crusting, apply antibiotic cream.
4. Some physicians might recommend aloe vera gel or some other ointment after sunburn treatment.
5. People with darker pigmentation may have more discomfort than lighter skinned people and may require the aloe vera gel or an antibiotic ointment longer.
6. Stubble, representing dead hair being shed from the hair follicle, will appear within 10-20 days from the treatment date. This is normal and the hair will fall out quickly.
Reviewed by Dr Juvita Rasquinha, dermatologist
Photograph via sxc.hu
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Laser Hair Reduction – Pros and Cons is a post from: mDhil
