Until the last few years, shaving, plucking, waxing, and electrolysis were the only methods of removing unwanted hair. In the early 1990's, the first reports of using laser energy to selectively damage and disable actively growing hair follicles were published, and since the mid 1990's, laser hair removal has become the "Gold Standard" method for hair removal.
There are several laser hair removal systems available today, but they all work using the principal of selective photothermolysis, in which a carefully timed pulse of laser energy passes through the skin and is absorbed and converted to heat energy at the hair follicle.
The absolute requirement for a Laser hair removal procedure to work is that one's hair must be darker than the surrounding skin. Additionally very darkly pigmented people absorb too much laser energy in their skin and are not ideal candidates. Tanned patients with light hair are not candidates. Tanned patients with dark hair should wait until their tan fades before they are treated. Laser hair removal is effective when properly performed for the great majority of candidates.
Preparing for Laser Hair Removal
Select a Center that meets State requirements. Requirements vary by state. For example in California a licensed M.D., R.N, or Nurse Practitioner can only perform laser hair removal. Electrologists, Medical Assistants, and other unlicensed personnel cannot perform laser hair removal.
Research the qualifications of the Medical Director of the facility. Is he or she Board Certified in Dermatology? Is there more than one Board Certified Doctor on the staff? Are all personnel performing the procedure licensed physicians or Registered Nurses? Is the facility affiliated with an academic medical center?
Find out how much experience they have performing Laser Hair Removal. Experience is crucial in selecting the proper laser parameters to use for any given area for any individual patient. Centers with the most experience generally have the best results.
Don't Go Tanning. Tanning and laser hair removal are not compatible. Tanning prior to the procedure will necessitate turning the laser power down, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the treatment.
Discontinue of the use of all forms of beta-carotene. Beta Carotene, found in carrots, vitamin A supplements, Retin-A, Renova, squash, and other vegetables, is deposited in the skin, producing a subtle orange or yellow color in the skin. This pigment absorbs laser energy, preventing it from reaching the hair follicle, and increasing the absorption of laser energy in the skin. Beta-carotene persists for months after ingestion. Patients interested in the best results from laser hair removal will benefit from discontinuation of the use of all forms of beta-carotene.
Be prepared to pay for Multiple Treatments. Laser energy has its greatest effect on growing hair follicles; as the dormant hairs become active, usually within 3 weeks to 3 months, some new hair growth will be observed. Usually at least 3 treatments over the course of a year will be necessary for satisfactory, long-lasting results. True "permanent" "total" hair removal may be possible with repeated treatments over time.
Side Effects
Swelling is common around individual hair follicles resembling "goose bumps" and usually go away within minutes to hours. Pigmentary change of the skin treated can occur, including either dark or light areas. Pigmentary changes may persist for months, but are almost always temporary. They are very rare in patients with fair skin who are untanned. Blisters and burns are rare but occasionally occur, particularly in patients with dark or tanned skin. The risk of infection is extremely low, as is the risk of scarring, but may occur if there is blistering which is subsequently contaminated or irritated.
