Laser hair removal may not be the sexiest topic, but dermatologists love this life-changing treatment. Waxing, threading, and shaving can be frustrating and time-consuming, but they can also cause temporary and even long-term changes to your skin! Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Zena Gabriel would like to educate you on the differences between these choices.
Each type of laser uses a different wavelength depending on what it is intended to target. Laser hair removal works using a laser with a 755nm or 1064nm wavelength. This wavelength travels into your skin at the correct depth to target the hair bulb where hair growth occurs. The energy targets dark pigments, so it heats and destroys the hair bulb and stops hair growth.
Hair grows in cycles, and only a percentage of hairs will be in their active phase during each treatment. Most people will need four to six laser hair removal treatments. In general, fine hairs, such as those on the face, need more treatments than thicker hairs, such as the pubic area. Thicker hairs absorb more heat, making treatment more effective.
Dermatologists often see people struggling with skin conditions that result from waxing, shaving, or threading. Common issues caused by these methods include:
One of the most problematic and lasting results of waxing is traction alopecia. This condition develops from repeatedly traumatizing the hair follicles by pulling out the hairs. This trauma causes scar tissue that prevents hair from regrowing. The changing popularity of eyebrow styles has resulted in people who plucked their brows to look thin and sculpted but now cannot regrow a more natural look, because there is a scar in the follicle.
In the hands of an experienced laser technician, laser hair removal can be used safely on dark skin. Light hair can be treated, although it presents a special challenge. Very pale hair, such as gray or blonde hair, may require more treatments than other areas to achieve results. An inexperienced operator could potentially cause side effects when treating darker skin tones because the laser can target the pigment of the hair and the natural pigment of dark skin. , So only trust a highly trained laser technician like Dr. Zena’s team.
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Lorraine Grassmann
OFFICE Manager
Lorraine Grassmann
OFFICE Manager
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