Are you tired of shaving, waxing, plucking, or electrolysis of unwanted hair? Can you imagine almost never submitting to these tortures again? A simple solution is yours for the taking! Laser hair removal is the 4th most popular procedure done in non-surgical cosmetic offices across the United States.
The science behind laser hair removal is quite simple. Laser engineers isolated a wavelength of light attracted to dark pigment. The light energy from this type of laser is attracted only to the hair shaft, and the heat energy travels down the hair shaft to the hair cells that stimulate hair growth. The heat energy destroys these cells and therefore the hair stops growing. All of this occurs without harming the surrounding tissue. When an area of hair is treated, only those hair follicles in the growth phase are affected. All hair follicles are in different stages of growth at any one time. The hair follicles in a resting phase will not be affected by the light energy at a given treatment. This is why laser hair removal requires 4 to 8 treatments separated by 3-6 weeks apart, depending on the area being treated and how fast the hair cycle is in that area. Given that the laser light is only attracted to dark pigment, only dark hairs respond to this technology. Blonde, red and white hairs are not appropriate targets for laser hair removal.
At Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa, laser hair removal is a popular request. Dr. Norris comments, “I tell most patients to expect 50% reduction in their hair thickness gradually over their first series of treatments. Results may vary based on a patient’s genetics. Often, hair reduction is better than 50%, but all hair is not created equal. After an initial series of 4 to 8 treatments, patients usually come back yearly for a maintenance treatment to maintain their results.”
There are multiple lasers on the market for laser hair removal. It is important that you ask what type of laser is being used for the procedure. Lasers with larger spot size cover areas more quickly, and lasers with internal cooling systems are the best tolerated. Lasers that are dedicated to hair removal and fire only one wavelength of light are the most powerful and effective for long-term results.
Dr. Norris recommends that all patients have a spot test done on the area to be treated before treatment begins. She suggests that this practice used in her medical spa is most important for darker skin types. “Lasers are miraculous in what they can do, but they must be used cautiously to avoid burns, loss of pigment of the treated skin, and scarring. A tiny test spot done before treatment of an entire area is the best way to avoid these possible complications.”
At Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa in Peru, Illinois, laser hair removal is now available with the fastest, most painless, most powerful laser on the market. Call 815-780-8264 for your laser hair removal consultation today or visit NicoleNorrisMD.com for more information.
