Hair Removal at New Image Laser and Skin

How does hair grow?

Hair forms in a pouch-like structure below the skin called a hair follicle. What we see as hair is actually the hair shaft, which is the keratinized, hardened tissue that grows from this follicle. The best hair color for the laser light to target is brown or black. Everyone's hair grows differently, depending on age, weight, metabolism, hormones, ethnicity, medications, and other factors.
The Mediostar laser most effectively disables hair that is in the active growth (anagen) phase. If all of the active hairs are destroyed each treatment, generally 30 days apart, this will 20-30% of the hair follicles. Because all the hair in a treated area may not be in the anagen phase, more than one laser treatment is necessary to remove the hair that subsequently enters the growth phase. Our goal after 5 treatments is to have sustained 90-95% permanent hair reduction.

What does the treatment involve?

The patient is asked to wear eye protection.The area to be treated is then shaved. A small hand piece, or "wand" is placed against the skin, cooling it just prior to the firing of the laser. The hand piece is repositioned and the laser is activated again. The size or the area treated will determine the number of laser activations, or "pulses", required.

Is the laser treatment painful?

While some areas of the body are more sensitive than others, most patients report little or no discomfort. For more sensitive patients, anesthetic creams can be applied prior to the treatment.

Are there any side effects?

Immediately after the treatment the skin will look pink and slightly swollen, similar to a sunburn. This will subside within 72 hours and the skin will return to normal. Occasionally, a patient will have temporary pigment changes, blistering, or scabbing. In the unlikely event of blistering, we recommend keeping the area moist with bacitracin.
As with electrolysis, cases of scarring have been reported, but these are extremely rare. A test spot is the best determinant of how each individual's skin will react.