Unlike Electrolysis, which can be a tedious, painful process destroying each hair follicle one at a time, lasers can treat hundreds of hair follicles simultaneously. Laser systems emit a beam of light that passes through the skin to the hair follicle. By a principle called selective photothemolysis, the light energy passes harmlessly through the unpigmented skin, but is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and hair shaft. The hair absorbs it, the energy from the laser is transformed into heat and the hair follicle is disabled. Treatment times vary depending on skin type, density of hair, hair coloring, and coarseness of the hair, but can take as little as 15 minutes from start to finish. Because the laser can only disable hair in the active growth stage at the time of treatment several treatments (generally spaced 4 - 6 weeks apart) may be necessary to clear the entire area.  No bandages are needed when the procedure is complete - the side effects are only a short period of mild discomfort and sunburn-like redness to the area. 

Laser hair reduction provides a fast, longer lasting alternative to traditional hair reduction methods. For more detailed information, click here. Please note that you will need Adobe Acrobat to view the document. Click here for more information on getting the free Adobe Acrobat program.

Top