We are proud to offer Lightsheer Laser Hair Removal, considered the gold standard for laser hair removal. This laser combines the power of the diode laser which is optimized for absorbtion by the hair pigments with the flexibility of multiple pulse durations, allowing us to treat darker skin types including Asian and African American. Most patients experience no side effects at all, though a few exhibit some short-term local reddening of the surrounding skin. Laser Hair Removal treatments in our San Diego office require no patient downtime.The number of necessary treatments depends on hair color and skin type, and the part of the face or body to be treated. Usually, four to six treatments are required for substantial hair reduction. Light hair will require a higher number of treatments.
Approximately 22% of women in North America have unwanted facial hair. Other commonly treated areas include armpits, arms, and legs, as well chest and back areas in men. The market for hair removal in this country exceeds 2 billion dollars, annually.
Laser hair removal came onto the hair removal scene in mid 1990’s, pushing aside older techniques such as shaving, waxing, depilatory creams, and electrolysis.
The older techniques are fraught with numerous downsides, such as pain, dermatitis, hyper and hypopigmentation, and inefficiency. Of note, ornithine (Vaniqa) became approved in 2000 as the first topical cream for hair reduction. Results with this cream are variable.
The goal of laser hair removal is permanent hair reduction. According to the FDA, permanent hair reduction is defined as reduction of hair density for a period of time equal to one full growth cycle of hair. Of note, there is no treatment available that provides permanent complete hair removal.
In order to understand how laser hair removal works, it is important to understand the anatomy and growth cycle of our hair follicles. The hair is composed of a bulb, a stem, an isthmus, and an infundibulum, the infundibulum being the portion of the hair past the skin which we can see. The hair has three growth phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen. During anagen, the bulb produces melanin, a dark pigment that is transported up the follicle. This is the “growth phase” of the hair. During catagen phase, the bulb degenerates and stops producing melanin. Telogen is the resting phase of the follicle: the bulb is no longer present. At the end of telogen the follicle detaches and then a new anagen phase begins.
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The laser light targets a dark pigment called melanin which is produced in the bulb, or deep part of the hair follicle during anagen phase. The laser generates heat in this pigment, thus destroying the melanin producing cells along with the bulb and remainder of the follicle. Laser hair removal is only effective on hairs during the anagen phase. At any given time, up to 90% of the hairs in a region may be in anagen. Anagen phase may last from 6 months to ten years, while catagen lasts several weeks and telogen may be one to three months. For these reasons, the laser hair removal treatment generally must be repeated 3 to 5 times to catch all hairs in the anagen phase.
The efficiency of any particular laser hair removal system depends on the ability of that laser to target the melanin in hair follicles without hurting surrounding skin. This has to do with the wavelength of the laser, the pulse duration (length of time the skin is exposed to the beam), and the fluence or power of the laser. Longer pulsed lasers enable more complete ablation of the hair follicle, however have greater risk of thermal (heat) damage to surrounding tissue (skin). Newer devices incorporate cooling systems for the skin which allow longer pulse durations with less risk of non-specific thermal damage.
Lasers used for hair removal include the ruby, alexandrite, Nd:YAG, and diode laser. IPL (intense pulsed light) is also used with success for hair removal. IPL devices emit a broad band of light of varying wavelengths (a laser is one specific wavelength). Typically, a filter is used to narrow this band to the spectrum of light that is most efficiently absorbed by melanin in hair follicles.
Laser Hair Removal Main Points:
- About 80% of patients respond well to laser hair removal
- You should expect a 30% reduction in hair density with each treatment
- Optimal results may require five or more treatments
- Treatments are spaced one to three months apart
- Laser hair removal is not without risks (see below)
- The best candidates for laser hair removal have light skin and dark hair
Risks of Laser Hair Removal:
- Blistering
- Scabbing
- Hyperpigmentation
- Hypopigmentation
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