Permanent hair removal laser is used in various cosmetic surgery procedures.
Apart from hair removal procedure, it is also used in the treatment of facial and leg veins and age spots.
In the permanent laser hair removal process, the laser energy is transformed into heat. The idea is to disable the follicle and leave the surrounding skin unchanged. This arrests hair growth.
The way permanent laser hair removal works
Laser hair removal surgery involves localized damage. It is created by passing laser beams through the dark matter that is responsible for hair growth. It ensures that only the affected portion is heated, while the rest of the skin is untouched.
The principle followed by the process
The laser hair removal process works on the simple principle that light is absorbed by dark objects. The chromophore or the dark target matter can be either natural or artificial.
The procedure followed in the permanent laser hair removal surgery varies from person to person. The laser beam is made to pass through a small hand-held instrument. The patient is given a safety eyewear. However, even then some people might experience a mild degree of discomfort while undergoing treatment.
The discomfort level is certainly dependent on the patient’s constitution and endurance level. Some of the patients even need to be administered local anesthesia.
The duration of the treatment is determined by factors like size or number of areas being treated. The duration of a session can vary from just a few minutes to hours.
In some cases the laser treated area may turn slightly red. Nevertheless, all patients can resume normal daily routine immediately after undergoing laser hair removal.
One thing to remember about the number of sessions
The number of sessions might vary from person to person. The patient’s gender and problem area must be taken into consideration.
The average number of sessions required is from three to six. However, some body parts need prolonged treatment.
The intervals between the sessions are also likely to vary, depending on the area undergoing surgery. When a moustache or chin hair is removed, the usual interval duration is 6 to 8 weeks.
The advantages of permanent laser hair removal
The main advantages of laser hair removal include the following -
oThe laser hair removal offers a long-lasting treatment for unwanted hair growth. oIt is applicable over large areas and not only small ones. oIt is comparatively far safer than the other methods. The laser beam successfully removes unwanted hair without creating any damage to the skin's delicate pores and structures.
Laser hair removal side effects.
Laser hair removal is free from any major side effects. At most the patient can have mild discomfort or stinging sensation. Yes, there are some cases when local anesthesia or a pain killer may need to be used while treating certain sensitive areas.
In any case, the side effects like blistering, soft scabbing and redness disappear quickly within few days. All that can happen is that ome skin patches may appear slightly lighter or darker after the surgery. However, that not a matter of worry. A good surgeon always informs the patient beforehand about the likely side effects.
The surgeon might also ask the patient to avoid sun exposure for two to four weeks, both before and after the treatment. That highly reduces any risk of complication.
Perhaps you first considered electrolysis but decided on laser hair removal instead. Electrolysis is more thorough as each hair follicle is treated individually and the results are probably more permanent. However, it can be much more costly and of course it takes longer than laser hair removal which sweeps a wider area of skin at a time and treats a large number of hair follicles in one session.
You may experience laser hair removal side effects if your skin is darker and your hair lighter. Blisters can appear, but they can be treated and disappear over time. Studies and statistics indicate however that there is a very low rate of laser hair removal side effects.
In the UK, the City Hospital in Birmingham reported a higher incidence of pigmentary alterations, up to 19 percent in fact, when shorter-wave length lasers were used to treat hair on darker skin. This decreased to between 2 and 3% however with the Nd:Yag laser. There were no long term laser hair removal side effects or scarring however. Evidently, longer wavelength laser devices reduced the risk of side effects on darker skin.
In another report, the Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, observed that laser hair removal side effects can include scarring and changes to the pigmentation of the skin, making it appear either lighter or darker. Additionally, a condition known as Reticulate Erythema can develop from repeated hair removal sessions. This causes a long lasting redness of the skin resembling a net or web-like pattern.
The report also mentioned the risk of Uveitis, an inflammation of the uveal tract, which lines the inside of the eye behind the cornea. This may occur if eyebrow hair is treated and there seems to be a higher prevalence when longer wavelength laser systems are used.
It does seem from the reports though that these complications are quite rare and one factor in particular can make a huge difference in the risk associated with laser hair removal side effects. What is that? The laser practitioner's level of expertise! The complications mentioned above can be greatly reduced by a technician who is experienced and has a full understanding of the fundementals of laser hair removal.
Here are some tips to make sure you employ a practioner who knows what they are doing:
Beware of extremely low prices. As in many areas of life, you get what you pay for. In view of the high cost of laser equipment, it stands to reason that a clinic will have to see their investment pay off which will be reflected in their prices. Be sure to go to a medical professional with the necessary qualifications, perhaps a dermatologist or even a plastic surgeon. Getting treatment from an unqualified practictioner can result in skin damage and longer lasting laser hair removal side effects.
Be sure to have a test patch first. Not everyone has good results with laser hair removal. Also check to see if the clinic provides this free. Other things you may want to ask before signing a treatment contract are:
What kind of laser is used and for how long has the clinic been using this particular equipment? What is the name of the medical practitioner who will oversee the procedure and what are his/her qualifications? How many clients has the clinic treated for laser hair removal to date?
You may then wish to arrange a consultation and actually speak to the person who will be carrying out the treatment. Make sure they are relaxed with you and give you confidence. Ask questions on side effects, possible pain levels, etc. and satisfy yourself before making a decision.
There is no doubt that laser technology has progressed rapidly. It is reasonable to state that laser hair removal side effects are now minimal. However, there can be side effects, and for this reason it is essential to go to a qualified medical practitioner who has experience and who will know how to treat your particular case. Do your research before commiting yourself to a program of laser hair removal sessions.
Both J Brown & Mike Jones are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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