Institute of Aesthetic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, LLC
Expertise Integrity Artistry
Laser Hair Removal: Patient Information
Our concern with unsightly, unwanted hair has been documented throughout the ages. Common techniques used to remove hair are tweezing and plucking, waxing, and various over-the-counter chemical creams and lotions, and electrolysis. For some people, these techniques are accompanied by side effects such as redness, rashes or breakouts, and pain. With the exception of electrolysis, these techniques require a significant time commitment with daily or weekly maintenance.*
Laser hair removal has provided us with a safe, effective and fast alternative to remove hair in all areas of the body. Laser hair removal is based upon the principle of selective photothermolysis. Two factors are important to the efficacy of the laser in removing unwanted hair: the pigmentation of the hair and the growth phase of the hair.
Laser energy is directed toward the hair follicle in order to traumatize the follicle while sparing the surrounding skin and tissue. The laser is drawn to the pigment, or melanin, which is a component of both the hair follicle bulb and the hair itself. For this reason, laser hair removal is most effective on patients with dark hair and fair skin. Gray, blonde and white hairs are not effectively treated by any laser on the market today. Additionally, since the laser is drawn to pigment, patients with dark skin have increased risk of side effects such as blistering, pigmentation change, or scarring. This is why we recommend the laser only to the lighter and fair complected individuals. Laser hair removal is not recommended to patients with dark skin or suntanned skin, patients prone to skin discoloration, patients with gray, blonde or white hair, pregnant or nursing patients, or those using Accutane or other photosensitive medications.
The second factor to take into consideration is the phase of growth of the hair. All of the hair on our body grows in unique cycles, hence when one group of hair is growing (early anagen) another group or groups are in a dormant phase. Only hair follicles in the growth phase are responsive to laser treatment. The laser disables these follicles during treatment. The treated hair will fall out, or shed, over the course of the two weeks following your treatment. The affected hair follicles are thus traumatized and do not regenerate for approximately six weeks to four months. If these hairs do grow back, you will find them to be lighter in color, finer in texture and less populous in the treated region. Follicles lying dormant will not be treated at this time. When the patient notices hair growth, the dormant follicles have progressed into the growth phase. This is the optimal time to receive the next treatment.
It is commonly found that the best interval for re-treatment is when new hair growth is observed by the patient, usually four weeks after the initial treatment and four to six weeks after the second treatment. In most cases, visible improvement will be seen one to two weeks following the initial treatment once the shedding has completed. The length of time between treatments and the number of total treatments per region vary from patient to patient. Generally, one can expect to treat each region six to eight times to achieve optimal results and may require periodic touchups or maintenance. It should be noted that a small percentage of individuals do not respond to laser hair removal, thus there are no guarantees with laser hair removal.
Patients frequently ask if laser hair removal is “permanent.” No laser today can destroy 100% of hair follicles for the rest of one’s life. Some follicles may be destroyed, while others miniaturize and hair may return baby fine and light. It is possible to achieve “permanent hair reduction” with a sufficient number of
treatments timed properly (early in the growth cycle of the hair), but not the permanent removal of every single hair in a given region. However, laser hair removal is one of the longest lasting methods of hair removal today.
The laser utilized in our practice is the VascuLight HR Intense Pulsed Light/Laser System. The benefits of this laser are the greater penetration utilizing the full spectrum of light, ability to treat patients of all skin types, and efficiency in treatment time. This laser has been shown to be extremely safe and effective in the application of laser hair removal. The VascuLight has shown to:
- Induce prolonged dormancy of the hair follicle
- Induce long term or permanent regression with miniaturization of the hair resulting in a fine, vellus hair
- Induce hair follicle destruction
The VascuLight laser has been incorporated in our practice because of its proven safety, efficiency and that it has been FDA approved for permanent hair reduction for patients of all skin types.
*Electrolysis is still considered to be a good technique for long term hair removal. Electrolysis does require repeated visits to achieve the desired results.
Peter M. Schmid, D.O.
PMS/rdc 1/6/2010
Laser Hair Removal: Patient Information
Peter M. Schmid, DO FAACS Telephone: 303-651-6846
Board Certified Facial Plastic, Toll Free: 888-651-6846
Head/Neck & Reconstructive Surgeon Facsimile: 303-651-6794
1305 Sumner Street, Suite 100 Email:
Longmont, CO 80501