Archive for the ‘Basic Information’ Category

Is Laser Hair Removal For You?

Sunday, 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.

Laser Hair Removal History

Sunday, 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.

FAQs About Laser Hair Removal

Saturday, 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.

Can You Have Laser Hair Removal Treatment?

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

Although many of you want to have laser hair removal   treatment, can you qualify for this medical procedure?

It depends. Not everyone can benefit from laser hair removal. There are two  factors to consider before you undergo this procedure: your hair color and your skin color.

  • Hair Color. Blonde, red, white and gray hair are not recommended for laser hair removal. If you tan, you must wait until your tan has faded, if you have dark hair. If you have tanned skin and light hair you do not qualify for laser hair removal.
  • Areas for Hair-Removal. The laser hair removal is for those who are eligible to have their unwanted hair removed. If you have hair on one of the areas you want removed, laser hair removal is for you. These hair areas include the neck ,upper lip, chest, breasts, toes , back , legs, fingers, abdomen, bikini zone, public domain, chin, arms, face, ears, shoulders, and between the eyebrows.
  • Skin Type. Your skin type, skin and history also have an effect on laser hair removal is right for you. Your doctor will ask you about your skin and skin history. You want to be sure not to be found in all cases. This may cause your skin to be damaged after treatment. Just be honest, even if you may be ashamed of something.

After Effects of Laser Hair Removal

Friday, October 24th, 2008
Although laser hair removal is considered a simple  medical treatment, just like all other medical treatments, it carries the risk of possible side effects. The risk of developing one or more of the existing side effects depend in part on your skin. Side effects of laser hair removal may be temporary or permanent.

The possibility of developing a temporary side effect is much higher than the development of a permanent one after the laser hair removal. A temporary side effect can last from one day to several months before it disappears completely. The temporary side effects that can be experienced laser hair after transfer to the pain, blistering, swelling, redness, irritation and hyperpigmentation.

Some people describe the discomfort they feel during and after laser hair removal treatment as a sensation of pain. This feeling exists both during the procedure, and after it is finished. During the process, the feeling of discomfort can be alleviated by using a local anesthetic. For days after the procedure, the pain can be relieved by using over-the-counter or prescribed drugs against pain.

The swelling typically occurs at, or near, the area that was treated for hair removal. Topical treatments such as creams or ointments, usually to relieve the swelling. This side effect May or May not be particularly troublesome, as the area that was treated with laser hair removal.

If redness develops as a side effect of laser hair removal, it can be treated with a topical cream or ointment. This side effect generally looks like a slight sunburn.

Blisters can be very painful, embarrassing and noticeable side effects of laser treatment. Some people do not feel comfortable being seen if they have blisters. If you are one of those people, it is best to plan your treatments laser hair removal at a time when it will minimize your exposure to other people.

A temporary darkening of the skin of the treated area is called hyperpigmentation. Generally, these temporary side affect of laser hair removal will disappear by itself. Often the area affected by hyperpigmentation may be covered with makeup.

In addition to the temporary side effects, there is also the possibility of permanent or long-term skin. If you have decided to do laser hair removal, you must be prepared to accept those risks. Side effects include permanent skin discoloration, scars and burns.

If discoloration of the skin occurs, it is usually a lightning of the skin in the area that has been processed. The wavelength of the laser beam are made to the attack of the dark pigmentation in the hair follicle. Sometimes dark skin may also be affected. This side effect can be emotionally damaging, even if it is not painful.

The scars, usually held by the experimental treatment or accidental to be treated by someone with minimal training. It is very important to ensure that your laser hair removal treatments are performed by a qualified, experienced professional technician.

Burns
are very rare and are usually caused by a novice, less qualified.

The risks and side effects associated with laser hair removal can be minimized by ensuring that treatments are carried out by a qualified professional. It is also important to tell your doctor of any hormonal or family conditions that affect your treatment in May. Tanning and sun exposure should be avoided for several weeks before treatment.