Pure Dermatology
What is it
Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light (laser) to reduce the number and thickness of unwanted hair. During the procedure, a laser emits a light that is absorbed by the melanin in the hair. The light energy is converted to heat, which damages the hair follicles deep within the skin that produce hairs. This damage inhibits or delays future hair growth. Laser hair removal can be performed on all body areas with the right patient selection. Areas eligible for laser hair removal treatment include the face, sideburns, ears (yes guys!), underarms, legs, bikini, neck, unibrow, back, abdomen, breasts, and buttocks.
Why do it
The benefit of laser hair removal over older methods like shaving, plucking, and waxing is that it reduces bumps, irritation, ingrown hairs, and blemishes. Undergoing laser hair removal reduces the time you need to spend grooming with razors, depilatories, waxing, and plucking. The treatment drastically reduces hair growth. Many patients won’t see new hair in treated areas for months or even years, and the few hairs that may show up are usually much thinner.
Who can take advantage
Both men and women are candidates for laser hair removal. For some patients, the goal of laser hair removal is complete permanent hair reduction; however, other patients elect for a few treatments to eradicate painful shaving bumps or razor bumps. The bumps and pigmentation that occur with shaving and waxing can improve in as little as 1 treatment with laser hair removal. While laser hair removal is most effective for people who have lighter skin and dark hair, it can be successfully used on all skin types as long as you are being treated by someone with experience performing laser hair removal in dark skin. Hair removal lasers use the dark pigment, as the target in the hair follicle, so unfortunately lasers will not work on very light, grey, white hairs.
