Permanent Laser Hair Removal in Wisconsin

Permanent Hair Reduction and Hair Removal

Hair in unwanted areas, or excess hair, can be a source of discomfort and embarrassment. Shaving, bleaching, depilatory creams, plucking, and waxing only provide a short term solution. Electrolysis can be uncomfortable and is limited to small areas.

While there is no perfect solution to permanent hair removal, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology and laser hair removal give the longest lasting results. Hair removal with IPL is a safer method for all skin types and can be accomplished within shorter treatment times.

Understanding Hair Removal

IPL permanent hair reduction is FDA-approved and is completely non-invasive. Hair found almost anywhere on the body can be treated with IPL hair removal.
With IPL, pulses of light are delivered at the skin surface. For hair removal, particular wavelengths of light are used to target melanin (responsible for the color in the hair shaft, or chromophore). Within the tissue the light is converted to heat, which results in destruction of the target cells.

Temporary vs. Permanent Hair Removal

It is important to clarify the difference between temporary and permanent hair removal. Pretty much anyone utilizing any Iaser or IPL device can get temporary results. If the amount of light energy delivered is sufficient to destroy the hair bulb, but insufficient to destroy the stem cells, the result will be temporary hair removal. It is likely that the hair will grow back within a few years. It also typically grows back thinner and finer, which is even more difficult to permanently eradicate.
The science is in utilizing the correct IPL or laser device settings to deliver the necessary amount of heat to the stem cells which lie outside the hair shaft. When the stem cells are destroyed, long-lasting and permanent hair removal can be achieved.

Who is the best candidate for laser hair removal?

The light energy delivered with an IPL or laser device targets pigment. Thus dark, thick hair on light skin is the easiest to eradicate. However, with the Palomar Starlux 500 we are able to utilize the appropriate wavelength of light to target just about any hair color or thickness on any skin type. White and grey hairs do not respond to laser or IPL hair removal because they do not contain melanin. Furthermore, there are medical conditions which can result in unwanted hair growth. Tanning and depilatory procedures (waxing, plucking, depilatory creams) must be avoided for 4 weeks prior to hair removal. A protective sunblock should also be worn on any exposed treated areas for ~5 days following your treatment. At EMBODY Medical Spa, Dr. Mayo will determine the best treatment plan for your particular hair color and skin type.

How many treatments are needed?

Results depend on multiple factors including the color and thickness of the hair in the treatment site, the skin color or skin type, the area on the body being treated and the results desired.

Darker and thicker hairs contain more melanin and thus are more easily eradicated. Darker skin also contains more melanin and absorbs some of the light energy. It is necessary to treat dark-skinned individuals at lower energy settings to avoid excess pain or skin damage. Treating at lower energy settings will typically require more treatment sessions.

The response also depends on the area of the body being treated. It is not fully understood why this is the case. The common explanation given is that hairs are most vulnerable to permanent removal when they are in the growth phase (anagen). The percentage of hair in this phase at any given point in time can vary from 20% to 80%, depending on the body site. However, experts in the field of hair removal know that this can not be the whole explanation. On our faces, a high percentage of hairs are in the growth phase (~80%), while the percentage on the legs is much lower (~20%). Thus, facial hair should require fewer treatments to eradicate. However, clinically we see a much quicker response to treatment on the leg hairs than on the facial hairs.

None-the–less, it is the case that several treatments spaced at intervals, determined by the length of the hair growth cycle for a particular body site, will result in hair removal.

During your consultation at EMBODY Medical Spa, Dr Mayo will be able to give you a better idea of your expected response based on the above factors.

Why does the hair grow after a treatment?

There are two reasons why the hair in the treated area will appear to continue to grow after a hair removal treatment.

The first reason is paradoxical hair growth. The light energy from the first, and possibly second, treatments can “awaken” resting hair follicles and stimulate them to grow. This is actually beneficial as these hairs are now vulnerable to eradication with follow-up sessions, rather than lying in wait only to make their presence known years down the road!

The second reason is that the hair shaft below the skin surface isn’t vaporized by the treatment. The dead hair shaft is bound within the epidermis. It will appear to “grow” out to the surface as the skin undergoes its continual renewal. These hairs will fall out as the skin naturally exfoliates.

How long will a treatment session last?

The duration of the treatment session depends on the size of the area being treated. Typically, treatments on the face take ~15 minutes, while larger areas like legs, back, and chest take ~ 1 hour.

Your treatment session will consist of multiple impulses as the light is delivered into the skin. Most people describe it as feeling like the snap of a rubber band on the skin. Anesthesia is usually not required. Following a treatment session, some patients may exhibit redness and slight swelling around the hair follicles for a day or two.

Other factors you should be aware of

• Shaving: you can shave the area up until the day of the treatment. The area to be treated will be shaved prior to treatment to prevent the external hairs from absorbing the light energy and thus decreasing the energy available at the target stem cells.
• Depilation: do not wax, pluck, bleach, or use depilatory creams on the treatment area for 4 weeks prior to hair removal. The hair shafts must be present and contain pigment in order to be targeted by the light energy.
• Pigment spots on the skin may be altered: freckles and sunspots may initially darken and then diminish or disappear. Moles may darken. Hair removal should be avoided over tattoos and nevi.
• Tanning: an acute tan (within 4 weeks) presents a risk of damage to the skin because of the increased melanin. This applies to sunless tanning lotions as well. Use a protective sunblock, avoid excessive sun exposure, and do not tan for 4 weeks prior to hair removal.
• People with very dark/black skin may need to come in for a “test spot” 24-48 hrs prior to a hair removal treatment to allow us to determine safe but effective energy settings for their skin type.
• If you have a history of cold sore outbreaks in the area being treated, an anti-viral medication (such as Valtrex®) may be prescribed

For further information on Permanent Laser Hair Removal & Hair Reduction or any of the other services at EMBODY Medical Spa, please call us or request a consultation online by clicking here.

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