What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is the process of hair removal by exposure to pulses of laser light that destroy the hair follicle. At the present time, we have four wavelengths of light from lasers available for the treatment of unwanted body hair.* In essence, these wavelengths target pigment granules in the hair (melanin) in an effort to damage hair follicles without scarring the skin.* Hair follicles are capable of producing hairs of various thicknesses and colors.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Dark hair contains the pigment melanin which serves as the target for energy at these wavelengths, 694 nm produced by the Ruby laser, 755nm produced by the Alexandrite laser, 800nm produced by the Diode laser, and 1064nm produced by the Neodymium-YAG laser. The pulse laser energy is absorbed by the pigmented hair shaft and transferred to the surrounding follicle. The heat build-up caused by the absorption of energy by the hair itself is capable of creating follicular damage and retarding or preventing future hair production by that follicle.*
Who Can Benefit From Laser Hair Removal?
People with thick, coarse, and dark hair are the best candidates for laser hair removal. If you have dark hair and have ever been annoyed with how stubborn it can be when it comes to regrowth and removal, laser hair removal treatments may be a viable option.
Schedule OnlineWhat Does Laser Hair Removal Treat?
Laser Hair Removal treats hair growth. To help explain, hair growth cycles are divided into three phases. The anagen follicle or growing hair is the major target for the laser energy and represents the most vulnerable phase of the hair growth cycle. Telogen or resting hairs are not actively growing and appear to be more resistant to laser energy. The transitional phase between anagen and telogen phases, known as the catagen phase is brief but also relatively resistant to the laser energy. Depending on the body site, various percentages of hairs are in the anagen, catagen and telogen phase at any given time. As a result, it is necessary to treat a given anatomic area more than once in order to attempt to achieve hair removal.
What to Expect During Treatment
The application of these laser energies to the skin results in almost complete removal of all actively growing hairs.* The number of hairs that are removed as a result of one treatment can vary. Part of the difficulty in eradicating unwanted or excess hair lies in the fact that the follicle has tremendous regenerative capabilities and that these recuperative powers are highly variable from individual to individual and from one anatomic site to another.
Schedule OnlineHow Long Is Recovery Time?
The application of laser energy to the skin results in a pink color and, on occasion crusting in the area will develop lasting a few days. Discomfort similar to a sunburn may be noted over the first 24-hour period and in extensive cases, non-prescription pain medication may be used. In certain instances, especially in darker pigmented skinned individuals, temporary pigmentation changes may be noted. One may notice hair within the follicle for up to two weeks after therapy.
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Dr. Tanghetti’s work has been published in journals such as Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, and Cutis. He is a fellow of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and a member of the California Medical Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Dermatology. For a consultation to discuss laser hair removal treatments, call us at [916] 454.5922 or complete the form below.
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