Is Laser Hair Removal For You?

April 5th, 2009
Many people may want to have laser hair removal but wouldn’t for one or more reasons. Maybe they are not recommended for the treatment or procedure. It could be harmful or may cause side effects. There are also others who require special treatment against or medication before undergoing laser hair removal .

Specifically, women who are pregnant should not have laser hair removal. Although there is no important information concerning the use of laser and pregnancy, many doctors and health care providers do not recommend laser treatments. This is to avoid any unknown effects on the child in the womb. 

If you are someone who has herpes simplex virus I or II, before undergoing any laser hair treatment you should inform the doctor who will be preforming the laser hair removal about your condition prior to the procedure. It is necessary to take a prescription antiviral medication for several days before and after treatment. If hair removal is in the area of previous episodes, it is possible that heat from the laser causes an outbreak of herpes virus. If an outbreak is active, either on the face or genitals, it is important to reschedule the laser hair removal treatment. An appointment should be postponed or rescheduled in case of power cut, broken, inflamed or irritated skin in the area that must be treated. If an active infection is present in any part of the body, there ia a need for rescheduling of the treatment.

People with albinism, the absence of color pigment in the hair or skin,  must not seek laser hair removal tretament. Because the laser light is dark pigmentation, the treatment will not work on anyone withalbinism. The same goes for those with little blonde, red, gray or white hair.

If you’ve just burned yourself under the sun, or recently tanned, you can delay your treatment until your  skin has returned to its normal color which could take several weeks. Skin must be in its natural color when laser hair removal should take place.

Medications, both oral and topical can cause photosensitivity reactions photoallergic or if used before laser hair removal treatments take place. If you are taking accutane, it should be discontinued three months before the start of treatment. Retin A and tetracycline should be stopped six weeks prior to laser hair removal process.

Those who suffer from lupus, diabetes or epilepsy, should not have laser hair removal. Disorders related to the nervous system that are present, must be assessed before starting the laser treatment. If hirsutism is present, the cause should be diagnosed and treated before any laser treatment is started.

Moles in the treatment areacan be removed before treatment. The dark pigmentation of the mole may attract a lot of heat from the laser and cause burns. 

For many people with history of keloid scars,there is a higher risk of scarring of these treatments.

The importance of knowing the contraindications of laser hair removal will make the procedure a pleasant experience.

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Laser Hair Removal History

March 22nd, 2009
The lasers that are used in the laser hair removal treatment has a history that dates back to the time of famous scientist Albert Einstein.The lasers used for laser hair removal developed from a theory by the Nobel Prize physicists Albert Einstein and Max Planck. This theory, first introduced in the 1920s, has defined stimulated emission or laser. The word laser is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. However, it was not until the 1960s that the first real laser was built and patented by Gordon Gould, an American physicist.

Laser hair removal devices made in  the 1960s sent a wavelength which has caused damage to tissues surrounding skin. In the late 1960s, Dr. Leon Goldman was the first to begin testing a ruby laser for hair removal. It was also in this  time that the Q switch was developed in  countries for use with a laser. With the development of the Q switch it was possible to control the energy of the laser beam to be sent to the controlled pulse. The Q switch worked the same way as a camera shutter.

The first devices for laser hair removal proved ineffective. To eliminate the hair follicle, there was severe damage to the surrounding skin area. Ruby laser and the argon laser, are used for laser hair removal.

Throughout the next decades, researchers and physicians have continued to experiment and successfully tested for laser hair removal. It was not until the 1980s that the first laser was introduced as a safe and effective method of hair removal. This discovery really happened by accident, noted that when scientists birth treated with certain types of lasers caused the hair in this area to disappear and not repel.

The FDA cleared the first laser for hair removal in 1995. This laser, called the Soft Light, was a neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet laser was manufactured by Thermolaise. This laser was used with a chromophore of lotion based on carbon. After the skin wax lotion based on carbon would be rubbed on the skin and enter the hair follicle. The beam of light produced by the laser to heat the carbon quickly and destroy the hair follicle. However, this type of laser treatment can easily damage the skin cells nearby. Finally, this type of laser hair removal to be less effective than targeting the natural pigments that existed in the skin.

In 1997, several types of laser hair removal devices have been cleared by the F DA. One was the ruby laser, which uses a short wavelength. However, clinical research ultimately shows that the laser does not produce enough damage in the hair shaft leading to the loss of hair. The researchers also found that if at the ruby laser was used on people with dark skin or tan there was a high risk of hyperpigmentation. Other types of alexandrite laser hair removal devices include today, diode, and yttrium aluminum garnet doped with neodymium lasers.

Research and development in the field of laser hair removal are still at an early stage. However, further research, testing and development in this area continues to produce safer and more efficient equipment.

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Laser Hair Removal: Is It Safe?

March 22nd, 2009
There are safety issues about laser hair removal which relate to both clients and technicians. The safety  issues are very different from other forms of hair removal. It doesn’t involve drawing of  blood, contaminating probes, or risking infection. However, some common issues are about burns and eye safety. Many organizations have established guidelines to ensure the safety of customers and technicians which  include the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the American National Standards Institute, the Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, and The Society of Clinical Research and Medical Hair Removal.

There is nothing to worry about when undergoing laser hair removal especially when the practitioners are reliable, efficient and reputable. All the features of laser hair removal in the U.S. are subject to very strict mandatory performance standards. Before they can operate they must meet the federal laser product performance standard, which includes the definition of their security features, both for the benefit of the patient and technician.

Here are some very important things to consider for the benefit of the clients and the practitioner:
  • Laser Hair removal Equipments. It is better to buy new equipment for laser hair removal. If using the equipment must be purchased, it should be purchased from a distributor with the assurance that it has been carefully checked and repaired. The equipment must also be ensured .
  • Clinic or Hall. The hall that is used for laser hair removal can be used for other treatments. However, it must be established according to strict guidelines that are associated with the use of laser equipment. Setting up the room the right way is usually done by the equipment distributor or manufacturer.
  • Laser Hair Removal Chamber. The laser hair removal chamber must have a door that can be blocked during treatment. There should be a warning light outside the door to let others know that treatment is done and they should not enter. There should have eye protection, outside the door for people who need to enter in May during treatment. They should not be windows in the room, but if there are windows, they should be obscured with protective coverings. It is very important to the electrical outlet, which has its own breaker. It must also be grounded and have the correct amperage and voltage. The room should have no mirrors or reflective surfaces on the inside.
  • Ventilation, Maintenance and Operation of the Laser Hair Removal Equipment. Laser hair removal equipment should be on a flat surface and have a lot of ventilation around it. This equipment must be maintained and calibrated according to manufacturer’s directions for this device. It must be regularly cleaned of any accumulation of carbon that occur in May When the laser is not used the key must be removed.
  • Person Operating the Equipment. It is important that the operator of the device of laser hair removal is well trained and qualified. This training should be in all areas, including histology and client care. The technician does not wear jewelry or clothing. The technician, and any other person in the room, is required to wear ANSI approved our goggles to prevent blindness laser.

For the optimum safety of the client, he  should receive a thorough and detailed consultation, before and after the instructions, and a patch test before laser hair removal treatment begins. It is also important that the customer understands the benefits and risks of treatment. During laser hair removal process, the client should wear goggles ANSI approved and be responsible for keeping the glasses throughout the treatment.

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FAQs About Laser Hair Removal

March 14th, 2009
Do you have many questions about laser hair removal? I hope that these common questions that you have in mind will be answered in this article.

  1. What is laser hair removal? The laser hair removal is the process of using a laser to reduce hair growth.
  2. How does it works? The laser produces a large amount of heat and the scene where her hair, said the hair follicle and damage to roots. This helps prevent the growth of hair back.
  3. Who can have laser hair removal?Sad to say, laser hair removal is not for everyone. It is preferable for people with dark hair and fair skin. If your skin is darker than you want to discuss laser hair removal with your physician. The laser hair removal does not work on blonde, red, white or gray hair. People should leave their tan tan fade before doing laser hair removal.
  4. Is Laser Hair Removal permanent? The laser hair removal will only reduce the growth of hair. Each patient had a different experience of laser hair removal.
  5. How costly is a laser hair removal treatment? The cost of laser hair removal varies depending on the clinic, your region and the region. Contact a laser hair remover hotel of your choice for more information.
  6. What are the side effects of laser hair removal? Like any other technique, such as laser hair removal, a person may experience many different things such as:
    • Temporary Rash
    • Skin discoloration
    • Blistering
    • Scarring
    • Crusting
    • Change in the texture of the skin
  7. What parts of the body can be treated  for laser hair removal? There are actually a number of areas that you can do. Here are some of the many possibilities: Face, neck, Chin, toes, feet, upper lip, Bikini Line, Fingers, Between Brow, arms, legs, chest, stomach, ears, hair
  8. What kind of results you can expect from laser hair removal? You can expect to see around fifty to eighty percent reduction of hair growth. This depends on each person who performed the treatment. Some may know better than others with laser hair removal.
  9. What must be done BEFORE the laser hair removal treatment? Before you can do this procedure, there are things you need to know.
    • If you are tanning, you should let your tan fade before using laser hair removal. You do not want to pluck, wax, sugar or tweezer before your treatment. This will leave no hair left to be processed!
    • Do not moisturize before your treatment. This means that you can not use any body lotions, moisturizers, perfumes or sunscreen.
  10. What must be done AFTER the laser hair removal treatment? After your laser hair removal treatment, you do not want to mess with your skin treatment.
    • Do not interfere with the effectiveness of treatment by picking or plucking.
    • Try to avoid direct exposure of the sun on your skin.
    • When your treatments are completed use sunscreen and avoid tanning beds.
    • Try not to do anything that makes you sweat. This could cause irritation of the skin treated.
    • Talk to your doctor after the treatment to discuss any further information or instructions.

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Tips When Finding Hair Removal Clinics

February 21st, 2009
Always take all necessary caution when looking for a laser hair removal   clinic . Do not think that if the clinic offers the procedure, they really know what they do.
  • Before you decide, make sure the practitioner is qualified to perform laser hair removal. Having unqualified laser hair removal practitioner could lead to an irregular and a dissatisfied customer, you.
  • In the same way that you are careful about the doctor that will attend to you for the entire hair removal procedure, do a research on the clinics by visiting the most attractive to you. Find out if they give free consultations. Ask them any questions you may have.
  • Know what kind of lasers they will be using  is good for you. The more you study the lasers the more you understand how the procedure works. Find out how long the practitioner has been in the practice of laser hair removal. How many procedures has he done?
  • Search the yellow pages of your area or search online for clinics that do the procedure. If you do not mind travel to a clinic, you could do a search. You may find that you prefer more of a place other than your own town.
  • When visiting a clinic for laser hair removal, do not forget to take notes on your environment. Do they keep the place clean condition? And friendly people? Go with your instincts about how the place in general, you feel. You want a clinic that you are comfortable to be in. Also ask to meet with the practitioner of laser hair removal if possible. If not, ask if they offer free consultations. If so, make an appointment to meet with the doctor. The laser hair removal is one thing to be considered carefully as any other similar procedure.
  • Think about all the questions you can before you make your consultation. Write them in case your doctor does not cover all with you at your consultation. Ask questions to find out how much it will cost you,or how many sessions you will have. Also ask what type of side effects that you may have.

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