Constantly waxing, shaving, or tweezing to remove unwanted hair can be quite tedious and time consuming. Inevitably, the hair always grows back, and often times it will come back thicker the more we remove it. In addition to the thickness, you may also experience some irritation with certain hair removal techniques.

Fortunately, there is a permanent solution to this problem and it comes in the form of laser hair removal. It has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the country. The laser hair removal treatment involves using intense laser energy that targets the hair follicles and roots. This energy is absorbed by the follicles, destroying them in the process.

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

Older laser treatments used for hair removal were slow and quite painful. They also worked only on people who had the combination of light skin and dark hair. Modern advancements have evolved the treatment process and have lead to a range of highly effective laser hair removal devices that are designed for different types of hair and skin tones.

The Ruby Laser was the first laser ever introduced for hair removal. It is good for removing lighter hair on people with fair skin. The Alexandrite Laser can treat larger areas and is suitable for people with fair to olive skin complexion. The Diode Laser is effective on darker skin. The Nd: YAG Laser can be used on all skin types, but is not as effective in removing lighter hair when compared to the other lasers. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a procedure for treating skin pigmentation, but it is also used to remove hair. It works best on fair skin and dark hair.

Laser Hair Removal Procedure

Prior to the procedure, you will need to stop waxing, shaving, or tweezing for at least 6 weeks. This is to ensure that the hair follicles remain intact so the laser can properly destroy them. Avoiding long-term exposure to the sun is also a necessary precaution, because sun exposure can alter your natural skin tone and makes the laser hair removal process less effective.

During the procedure, your hair will first be trimmed down to a few millimeters. Your doctor will then adjust the equipment according to your hair color, thickness, location, and skin color. You will be provided with protective eye gear to be worn during the procedure. A cooling gel or a special cooling device will be used to protect the outer layers of your skin. Once all this is set, the hand-held instrument will be used to deliver laser pulses in the area to be treated.

After the procedure, you will be provided with ice packs and/or anti-inflammatory ointment to soothe any discomfort you may experience. A small area can be treated in just a few minutes, but a larger area, like the back, can take up to a few hours, since the laser is used to target every individual hair follicle in the treatment area. There may be some redness and swelling after the procedure, but that is normal. A cold compress can be used to treat it.

Contact Our Office

If you would like to reduce or eliminate undesired hair from the body without invasive treatments, then a laser hair reduction is perfect for you. Contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Haresh Yalamanchili, a highly skilled plastic surgeon. With his help, you can get rid of your unwanted hair, and reveal the smooth skin that resides underneath.