:: INTRODUCTION TO HAIR REMOVAL

Lasers have been used to effectively and safely treat a variety of different cosmetic skin problems including spider veins, pigmented brown and aging spots, tattoos, leg veins and wrinkles. Over the last few years there has been extensive clinical research in the use of lasers in the treatment of unwanted body and facial hair. We are happy to offer you at our clinic the most advanced laser hair system yet using the Naturalase 1064 System. As with any laser or light system based hair removal system, the Naturalase 1064 System operates on the principal of selective photothermalysis. The 1064 nm wavelength of the Naturalase achieves penetration through the epidermis and into the dermis where the hair follicle exists. The energy of the laser is absorbed by the melanin, or pigment found in the hair follicle and root and the heat build up in the hair shaft results in coagulation of the hair follicle. In particular the Naturalase 1064 System achieves its effect by ignoring the skin and selectively targeting the hair follicle. This is the reason there is little chance of damaging the skin in the form of burning, blistering or dispigmentation.

Laser hair removal is a simple office procedure requiring no needles, medications or surgery. A patient consultant will first assess you where your goals and expectations for hair removal will be discussed. During this consultation the estimated duration of each lasertrolysis session will be discussed, as will the number of sessions, and the costs. The reason that laser hair removal requires multiple treatments, each separated by 2 to 3 months lies in the way that hair grows. Not all the hairs on a given area are actively growing at the same time. Each hair and its hair growth center (follicle) go through 3 phases or cycles. The growth phase is called the Anagen and is the phase where the follicle grows a visible hair out of the skin. The hair follicle then goes into a short regression called Catagen, where the hair falls out, and then a resting phase, called Telogen, which can last many months. The energy from the laser can only disable the follicle during the phase of growth i.e. Anagen phase. At any given time only 50% to 90% of the hair follicles are in Anagen, depending on the body part. Thus, 2 to 3 months after treatment there will be a re-growth of fewer and or finer hairs as new follicles that were in the resting Telogen phase enter into the Anagen growth phase and produce a hair that can be disabled by the laser treatment.

Following each lasertrolysis session there may be some mild redness or puffiness to the skin with some tingling which usually disappears within the first 24 hours. No bandages are required and you can return to normal activities immediately. After 2 to 3 months, new hairs, that were in Telogen at the time of your initial treatment will enter Anagen and grow. At this point you will be present for your second treatment. This process will be repeated as necessary until you are satisfied that enough hair clearance has been achieved.

Lasertrolysis is a new and exciting form of hair removal and some of the most recent studies indicate that laser hair removal can offer permanent reduction of hair up to 80% as measured 2 years after the initial treatment.

The new Naturalase 1064 is a new and exciting advance in laser hair removal in that because the laser waves generally ignore the skin there is less chance for depigmentation and damage to the skin and it can be used in skin of all types including dark complexions. However, obviously, very fair skinned individuals, with light hair will have little pigment in the hair follicle and because less laser energy is absorbed it is usually unsuccessful in those individuals.