Hair Laser Removal was performed experimentally and initially for many years before it became available for the general public in the 1990's. There are several spas and establishments in the San Diego area that offer Hair Laser Removal. Because of the climate and weather conditions in the San Diego area more people are interested in Hair Laser Removal than in other cities in the U.S. Most people think that women are the primary candidates for Hair Laser Removal and in fact more and more men are opting for hair laser removal because of the permanent nature of the treatment.
Laser and light-based methods, sometimes called phototricholysis or photoepilation, are now most commonly referred to collectively as "laser hair removal". One of the first published articles describing laser hair removal was authored by the group at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1998.
Hair Laser Removal is now generally accepted in the dermatology community, and laser hair removal is widely practiced. The main principle behind laser hair removal is selective photothermolysis (SPTL). Lasers typically cause damage by selectively heating dark target matter, (melanin), in the area that causes hair growth, (the follicle), while limiting the heat that impacts the rest of the skin.
Hair removal is typically performed on backs, lips, chins, ear lobes, buttocks, bikini lines, shoulders, underarm, abdomen, pubic area, bikini lines, chest, arms, legs, hands, toes, thighs, and face. Men typically use Hair Laser removal to remove unwanted hair on chest and back and women tend to use hair laser removal for a wider range of areas. Laser works best with dark coarse hair and is not nearly effective with lighter hairs - and is basically ineffectual on gray hair. The ideal combination is light skin and dark hair but new lasers are now used for patients with dark black hair and dark skin.
Laser hair removal has become popular because compared to other techniques it is more efficient and permanent depending on the type of technology and skill of operator. Many patients see results after the first treatment and with typically 5-12 treatments are needed to have desired effects. After the initial set of treatments some clients will need touch up treatments to catch hairs that were not in a growth phase initially. There also some cases in which some patients don't respond to treatments at all.
Electrolysis is another option for hair removal and there are several professionals in the San Diego area that offer this service. Hair Laser Removal is quickly replacing the use of electrolysis for hair removal and the one exception as to when electrolysis is more beneficial is when the hair is fine and light-colored. Some patients actually use a combination of treatments.
Hair laser removal treatments should typically be spaced out by 3-12 weeks in order to allow for new phases of hair growth to emerge. This also is beneficial for patients in order to spread out the expense of hair laser treatments. Spacing of treatments also depends on the individual response to treatment. A patient should wait until they have experienced shedding of the treated hairs, which typically happens in a few weeks after each session. Many clients also get the treated areas shaved during treatment and they will need to wait for the hair to grow back before further treatment.
Hair removal lasers can also be effective when treating ingrown hairs or shaving bumps also known as pseudofolliculitis barbae . It has also been reported as a helpful treatment for pilonidal cysts, since they eliminate the ingrown hairs that often times precede these cysts.
Risks associated with hair laser removal treatments include slight chance of burning or discolored skin and this is more possible when treating darker skin. Some patients also report swelling, scabbing, and acne in the treated areas.
