Laser Hair Removal

(By Variable Pulsed Light Or Nd:YAG).

How it works:

Unwanted hair is a common problem in both women and men. Apart from being a cosmetic issue, increased hair growth in certain individuals can also lead to repeated infections, pigmentation , odour, scars, etc. Increased hair growth can be due to genetic factors, or medical factors such as hormonal imbalances, use of drugs such as steroids, etc. Laser hair removal is designed to permanently remove or reduce coarse dark hair. All skin types can be treated with minimal side effects. It is less effective or ineffective on light, white and fine hair. Lasers work by emitting a wavelength of high energy light, which when focused on a certain skin area will create heat and destroy cells and hair follicles. Laser technology works by targeting dark pigment.

Procedure:

  1. Allow hair growth for few days before the procedure. Avoid any procedure that will remove the hair roots (such as plucking, tweezing, waxing). Maintain the hair roots by shaving, using depilatory creams or cutting for these days. The laser will act on the hair roots, hence the procedure will be most effective if a maximum number of hair roots are present.

  2. Eye protection will be used throughout the procedure.

  3. The area might be shaved prior to procedure, depending on the hair growth.

  4. Minimal redness and perifollicular edema is normal post procedure and last for few hours. Ice packs or painkillers can be used if needed.

  5. Cooling device is integrated in the machine to minimize pain during the sessions. However, an anesthetic cream can be applied for one hour prior to procedure, on patient’s request.

  6. Even though the ND YAG laser can be used on tanned skin, it is imperative to use proper sun protection for 6 weeks before and throughout the sessions to minimize side effects such as de-, hypo- or hyperpigmentation.

Important points:

  1. The treatment is started with 6-8 sessions, each session about 4-6 weeks apart.

  2. When the hair has been significantly reduced, maintenance sessions (after 3, 6 or 9 months) are required for better results, and to reduce relapse.

  3. Number and interval between these maintenance sessions will depend greatly on patients’ factors like age, hormonal status, concomitant intake of multivitamins for other conditions like hair loss, pregnancy, menopause, etc.

Laser Hair Removal