Laser Hair Removal



WHY LASER HAIR REMOVAL?

People today are looking for easier ways to remove their unwanted hair. Legs, backs, bikini areas and faces are plagued by dense, coarse hairs. Electrolysis and Wax Treatments are cumbersome, messy and painful. They usually require multiple sessions and are not long lasting. Now there is new state of the art prescription for this cosmetic dilemma ..laser hair removal with the Lightsheer™ Diode Laser. You might of heard of other hair removal technologies, but this is the most efficient system and has been approved by the FDA to be proven for long term hair reduction. This system is designed for all skin types so that even those with darker pigmentation can benefit.

WHO SHOULD PERFORM THE LASER HAIR REMOVAL TREATMENT?

Dr. Harvey  is a nationally acclaimed teacher of the laser hair removal procedure and has taught physicians from Texas to Chicago. It is important that you have this procedure performed in a physician's office where medical care is optimal. If one has a medical issue such as recurrent cold sores, psoriasis or allergic reactions, a physician can pretreat you or guide you so that this does not occur. A thorough pre laser history and physical is necessary. Salons do not always give you this kind of medical care even though they claim to do so. Many times their health care associate is several hundred miles away from the salon so the patient is kind of stuck. Remember to do your homework because you get what you pay for. Why not have the security of having a on site- health care provider office be the one to perform the procedure?

WHAT AREAS OF THE BODY CAN BE TREATED?

All area of the body can be treated, including the ears, noses, bikini, underarm, chin, frontal hairline , back and leg areas. This treatment is even effective for razor bumps seen on the back of the neck or men or ingrown hairs which often plague the bikini area.

"I am thrilled with the results we are seeing with the LightSheer™ Laser. Our clinic was one of the first in the United States to purchase this laser and our patients are extremely pleased with their results. Time is important to our patients and they do not want to be hassled with repeated waxing or shaving"
                                                                                                                                                                        D. Harvey, MD


HOW DOES THE LASER WORK?

The laser works through specifically targeting the pigment melanin in the hair follicle bulge and papilla. Dark hair on light or dark skin usually respond well. Laser treatments can take more than one session because hair growth is constantly cycling. Only the hair that is an active growing phase has enough pigment for the laser to target. Once the laser energy strikes the skin, it stuns the hair follicle. Some of the energy is absorbed into the follicle and the hair is replaced with collagen and does not re-grow. Other follicles are made to become smaller and lighter. The net effect results in a tremendous cosmetic outcome.

ANYTHING TO REMEMBER BEFORE MY TREATMENT?

Our providers suggest that one stays out of the sun for at least 1 week prior to the treatment to minimize the risk of increased pigmentation. In some instances, he or one of his directly supervised staff will perform a test spot to determine that the laser treatment will be well tolerated.

IS THE PROCEDURE PAINFUL? WHAT ABOUT THE "AFTER CARE"?

Usually, our providers will pre-treat the skin with a numbing cream Ela-max™ or BLT Cream which is applied one hour before the procedure (See Laser Pre-op Instructions). This will adequately numb the skin Then, the laser is calibrated to an appropriate setting and the laser energy is specifically delivered to the hair follicle through the skin (See Pictures). Mild redness and/or crusting can sometimes develop at the treatment site but this quickly fades within a few hours to a few days maximum.

HOW OFTEN ARE TREATMENTS CARRIED OUT?

Repeat treatments are carried out at about 6 week intervals to optimize the cosmetic result. Usually, patients are instructed to return from the office at the first sign of hair re-growth for a subsequent treatment. Usually it can take from 3 to 12 sessions, depending on body area and hair type to see a 50-80% improvement in hair reduction. Remember that the hair removal procedure results in permanent hair reduction.

DO ALL PATIENTS RESPOND TO THE TREATMENT? IS IT SAFE FOR DARK SKIN?

There is a small subset of patients who do not respond, (i.e. those with white or gray hair follicles) as the laser energy is not absorbed in the skin of these patients. This laser is safe for ethnic skin patients (African Americans, Hispanic and Southeast Asian patients). This is one of the advantages of the LightSheer™ Laser.

IS THE LASER HAIR REMOVAL PROCEDURE EXPENSIVE?

On average laser treatments can run about a couple hundred dollars for long term hair removal. If one compares that repeated waxing, painful electrolysis or the purchasing of expensive creams on a regular basis, it definitely is worth the investment. ..

Before and After Photos  (performed at our office)  

Chin Hair Removal		Test Spots Performed
Back Hair Removal		Arm Hair Removal
	Laser Applied to the Skin

If you have any questions, or wish to schedule a Laser Hair Removal consultation, please call 
Ponte Vedra Dermatology & Aesthetic Surgery at (904) 285-7546 or email consultation@pvderm.com.