DESCRIPTION: Laser hair reduction is a safe, effective dermatologic procedure. The laser targets the pigment in the hair follicle without injuring surrounding tissue. The hair follicle is damaged by the laser's heat, resulting in an inability to grow.
Hair follicles grow in cycles. At any time, they are either in the "active" or "dormant" phase. The laser can treat any "active" follicle even if it hasn't reached the surface of the skin. At any given time, 10 percent or more of a person's hair follicles may be in the dormant phase. Therefore, several sessions are necessary for permanent hair reduction.
TREATMENT TIME & RESULTS: The length of the procedure is determined by the size of the treatment area. The most commonly treated areas are the upper lip, neck, chin, axilla (underarm), legs, sideburns, bikini line and back. A small area, such as the upper lip, can be treated in as little as two minutes. A larger area, such as the back, may require up to 60 minutes to treat.
The patient will wear protective goggles during the procedure. The laser operator uses a small handpiece to deliver treatment. The laser is equipped with a cooling device that sprays an anesthetic coolant (cryogen) on the skin just before the laser pulse is delivered.
The treatment site must contain pigmented hair, which serves as a target for the laser. Bleaching, plucking, or waxing must be avoided for several weeks prior to treatment. The best candidates for this treatment are individuals with light skin and dark hair. Tan skin is not easily treated; therefore the sun should be avoided for several weeks before treatment.
AFTER CARE: After treatment, a patient can expect the treated area to turn pink, and it may feel like a mild sunburn. This may last from a few hours to several days. Aloe vera gel, ice or antibiotic ointment may be used to alleviate any discomfort. The skin should be treated gently as if it were a sunburn. Bathing and make-up are allowed after treatment. It is recommended that sun exposure be avoided to reduce the chance of hyperpigmentation.
The hair follicles will shed their surface hair five to 14 days after treatment. This may look like hair growth, but the hairs can be washed away with a wet cloth. Because hair grows in cycles, follow-up sessions may be necessary. Sessions should be scheduled at four- to six-week intervals.
DESCRIPTION: Laser resurfacing is performed using a beam of laser light to remove the outer layers of skin to a precise depth. This enables Dr. Hanke to peel and resurface acne scars and sun-damaged skin.