Laser Hair Removal - Freedom from Shaving!

Hair Removal & Hair Growth

The older types of hair removal: shaving, plucking, tweezing, waxing, electrolysis, are time consuming, painful and often not very effective. Of these methods, only electrolysis is permanent, but it is painful and can take years to complete and frequently causes scarring. Even some of the earlier laser hair removal systems would only work well on fair skin with dark hair. It could not be done if the patient had done any tanning, either at a tanning salon or naturally.

Hair grows from follicles that are located everywhere on the body except the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. There are two major types of hair: terminal and vellus. Terminal hairs are long, thick and pigmented with melanin. They can be found everywhere you think of as growing hair. Vellus hairs are short, small, non-pigmented and can be found on such areas as the forehead.

There are three phases of hair growth: Anagen is the phase of active hair growth. It is only during this phase that hair contains an abundance of melanin, and will respond to laser removal. During Catagen the hair is no longer growing; and during Telogen, the hair is falling out in preparation for the development of new hair. At any given time, over 75% of hair follicles are at some point in the anagen phase and only those hairs that are actively growing will respond to laser energy. Different skin types respond differently but all can be treated by simply changing the laser setting to compensate for the skin tone.

CoolGlide® System

The fact that lasers can damage skin led to the development of the CoolGlide System. It is important to deliver the laser light to the hair follicles while cooling the skin to preserve and protect the epidermis. “Contact cooling” is considered state of the art for such protection and it is this strategy that is used by the CoolGlide System.

The process of "selective photothermolysis" accomplishes hair removal by the CoolGlide System. This means that hair follicles are damaged but the epidermis is not. The goal is to use long wave-length laser energy, which is selectively absorbed by melanin in the hair follicle and shaft, to selectively damage the hair structure without damaging the epidermis or surrounding tissue. Laser energy is absorbed by melanin in both the epidermis and the desired target, thus the epidermal-cooling feature in the handpiece of the system is used to reduce the temperature rise in the epidermis.

Each area of the body experiences re-growth at different rates. Other variables may determine re-growth rate, such as hair color, hair diameter and energy used during treatments. Multiple treatments with the CoolGlide will be necessary to achieve the desired level of hair removal. The time interval for retreatment will vary with the patient, but as a general rule will be about 4 weeks for the face and 8 weeks for the body.

Prior to your treatment, you will have a consultation with Dr. Gold at Laser Body Solutions in Hamden, CT. It will include a review of your medical history, in order to rule out contraindications. He will also review potential benefits, risks, complications, and alternatives with you.

About Laser Hair Removal

The primary steps for laser hair removal treatments include shaving, cleaning and cooling the area prior to treatment and applying a thin layer of clear gel, such as ultrasound gel, to aid in the gliding of the handpiece. The laser parameters are set based on the area and type of hair to be treated. The treatment is performed by gliding the laser handpiece along the area to be treated, using the handpiece to pre-cool the epidermis and then deliver the laser energy. Immediately after the procedure, further cooling will be done. Cortizone cream will be applied.

The treated area will probably be slightly red and feel slightly warm for 15 minutes to 2 hours following treatment.

Click here to see Frequently Asked Questions about Laser Hair Removal.

Click here to find out about how Laser Hair Removal can eliminate "shaving bumps".

BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS

Male Back

Female Lip

Bikini Line

Laser Hair Removal at Laser Body Solutions

Laser hair removal treatments are safe and affordable at Laser Body Solutions in Hamden, CT. If you are looking for laser hair removal or other non-invasive cosmetic laser treatment products, give us a call. We serve clients in Hamden, Connecticut and the surrounding areas.

To go to Frequently Asked Questions Click Here4