Non invasive cosmetic surgeries near Dearborn MI

How Laser Hair Removal Works?

WHAT DOES IT TECHNICALLY MEAN?

Did you know the word “LASER” is an acronym that means…

Light, Amplification by, Stimulated, Emission of, Radiation...

The term “radiation” is often misinterpreted because the term is also used to describe radioactive materials or ionizing radiation. The use of the word in this context, however, refers to an energy transfer. Energy moves from one location to another by conduction, convection, and radiation and cannot alter DNA structure.

HOW DOES LASER HAIR REMOVAL WORK?

Basically, lasers cause localized damage to the hair by selectively heating dark target matter, melanin, in the area that causes hair growth, the follicle, while not heating the rest of the skin.

mediostar machine

ARE LASER MACHINES DIFFERENT FROM ONE ANOTHER?

Yes.  Different companies have different names for their lasers. The two main lasers that formerly dominated the scene were: Alexandrite (755) or the “Alex” & YAG (1064).  But there is new technology that combines the advantages of both these  technologies and eliminates their weaknesses (mainly pain while getting treated). It’s called the MedioStar Next Pro XL and is German-engineered, new on the market, and has done wonders so far.

 

ALEX/YAG VS MEDIOSTAR NEXT PRO XL… WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Alex & YAG -

  • Attracted to Melanin and hemoglobin

  • Not effective for all skin types

  • Patient should not have had sun exposure for a week or two prior to treatment

  • Alexa better on thin hair, YAG better on thick, coarse hair

  • Alexa is reported to have less discomfort than YAG but both do cause certain discomfort during treatment

Mediostar Next Pro XL

  • Great on ALL skin types (I - VI)

  • Great for both thin and thick, coarse hair

  • Patients report little to NO discomfort with Mediostar Next Pro XL

  • More effective laser (usually less treatments are needed).

mediostar1

HOW MANY TREATMENTS DO YOU NEED?

Hair grows in several phases (anagen, telogen, catagen) and a laser can only affect the currently active growing hair follicles (anagen). This is why several sessions are needed to kill hair in all phases of growth.

The actual number of sessions depends on various parameters, including the area of the body being treated, skin color, coarseness of hair, reason for hirsutism, and gender.

Average number of treatments:

Face: 6-10 treatments every 4-6 weeks. (a bit less with Mediostar Next Pro XL)

Body: 4-6 treatments every 8-12 weeks. (a bit less with Mediostar Next Pro XL)

 

LASER HAIR REMOVAL - COMMON SIDE EFFECTS & RISKS

During treatment: discomfort.

Post treatment (most common): itching, redness, and swelling (perifollicular edema) around the treatment area. These side effects rarely last more than three days.

Unwanted side effects and risks:  hypo- or hyper-pigmentation, blistering, scarring, skin texture changes, flare of acne, swelling around the hair follicle, scab formation, purpura, infection and burning of the skin.

The discomfort associated with patients using Mediostar technology however, is absolutely minimal and almost negligent when compared to other laser hair removal technologies.

 

LASER HAIR REMOVAL TECHNOLOGY - WHAT AREAS CAN BE TREATED?

If it grows hair.. Then, yes it can be treated (as long as there isn’t any underlying contraindications).

 

LASER HAIR REMOVAL CONTRAINDICATIONS?

In other words, if you have any of these conditions or are taking any of the meds listed, you CANNOT be treated?

  • Pregnant

  • Gold Therapy (If you don’t know what this is, then you have never had it)

  • Light induced seizures

  • Anyone taking photo-sensitive meds (if you are, then you need to wait 3 weeks)

  • Accutane (need to be off for 6 months)

  • Anticoagulants

  • History of skin cancer

  • Suspicious pigmented lesions

  • Lupus

  • Herpes (pre-treat with an antiviral drug such as Valtrex… But, if active, cannot be treated until dormant again)

HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR LASER HAIR REMOVAL?

  • No waxing, tweezing, or electrolysis for 4 weeks prior.

  • If you have fair skin (skin types I -III), no sun exposure for at least 4 weeks.

  • If you have darker skin (types IV – VI), no sun for 3-5 days.

  • No threading for 10 days

  • No self-tanner for 14 days

  • Shave the area being treated the same day or the night before

  • No make-up, lotion or deodorant should be worn on the day of your treatment

  • No topical Retin-A for 3-5 days

  • No oral Retin-A for 3 weeks

  • No Accutane for 6 months

HOW MUCH DOES LASER HAIR REMOVAL COST?

Clearly, prices are going to vary from country to state to city to town…

Prices can range anywhere from $100 per area per treatment to $900 per area per treatment (all depends on the size of the area and amount of hair).  Yes, it can be costly, but let’s take into consideration the amount of money we all spend on razors, waxing, threading, plucking.

 

LASER HAIR REMOVAL - WHAT TO DO AFTER TREATMENT

There are several things you should keep in mind after you conduct your laser hair removal sessions. In fact, make sure to follow these strictly!

  • No sun exposure for 1 week (if blistered or burned, then stay out of the sun until healed… unless you want to scar)

  • Apply cool compresses to red or swollen area.

  • No Retin A for 24 hours

  • No direct heat for 24 hours (ie: hot showers.. This is a tough one for me, since I truly love mine… but I do follow this religiously as I have learned the hard way.. hehehe)

  • It will look and feel like a sunburn… treat it like one!

  • Lastly, enjoy being HAIR-FREE!