You know the drill. You get up, take a shower, and watch your hair swirl in the drain. You check your hair out in the mirror and find a little less than you had the day before. Your hairline is receding and you've tried the shampoos and the Rogaine with minimal success. You've done the hair system thing, but that's just not you. So what's a person to do? Live with hair loss? Maybe not. Here are top ten reasons to try a new laser hair treatment program. 1. The use of low level lasers in the treatment of hair loss is one of the latest technological breakthroughs in hair restoration therapy. This low level laser hair treatment has been used with great success in Europe for the past ten years, but is only recently coming into use here in the states. Uses of hand-held laser combs have been approved by the FDA for home use. 2. Low light lasers use cool red light to stimulate blood flow to the scalp. There are many factors involved in male and female pattern hair loss - genetics, hormones, age. When hair follicles begin to fail because of an overabundance of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in the body (a hormone that comes with aging) and lack of blood flow to that area of the scalp, hair follicles shrink and eventually miniaturize and fail to thrive. Finally, hair follicles disappear altogether. Once follicles die, nothing can be done to help them. That's why it's important to start laser hair treatment when your hair is in the thinning stage, before it's gone altogether. Cool laser hair treatment stimulates this blood flow and restores vitality to the root, encouraging regrowth. 3. This can be used in conjunction with your current mode of hair loss treatment. If you've taking Rogaine or Propecia and seeing minimal results, laser hair treatment can boost the effectiveness of medications. By stimulating regrowth of hair follicles with the use of red, low light lasers, it helps the medications work more effectively. In clinical studies, 45% of patients saw noticeable results in 6 - 8 weeks, and within 4 - 6 months, another 45% saw definite improvement in the quality of the hair that was regrowing and in the thickness of their hair. 4. This is pain-free and has virtually no side effects. For those fearful or reluctant to use prescription medication treatments such as Rogaine or Propecia, a laser hair treatment program offers a safe, effective and risk-free way to treat hair loss. Lasers stimulate blood flow to the scalp, and energized the hair follicles, but do not damage skin. 5. This will not bust your budget. Compared to other hair loss treatments the cost is much cheaper than alternatives like surgical hair restoration, or a high-end hair system that will require maintenance. 6. Laser hair treatment vs. hair systems - Hair systems require some kind of glue or adhesive to stay on. There is always the risk that an edge will come up or that even the best hair system will be detectable. With laser hair treatment, you're only dealing with your own natural hair. No glue, no hoping people don't notice you're wearing a hair system. 7. No surgery - There is no surgery involved with laser hair treatment, and more importantly, no anesthesia required. Hair restoration surgery (or follicular hair transplantation surgery) is very expensive and requires 10 days of downtime following surgery. Laser hair treatments can be done on your lunch break or in front of the TV at night and require no down time. And there is no risk of infection involved as there is with any surgery. 8. Laser Hair Treatments are natural - Many people simply don't believe in taking medication or in doing surgery to restore hair. They want a more natural approach. Nothing is more natural than using light to regrow your hair. The kind of red light used in laser hair treatments is not the kind that will give you sunburn or encourage skin problems. On the contrary, it can even help flaky, itchy scalps to heal and naturally stimulate the health and vitality of the scalp and hair. 9. No need to be self-conscious by visiting a hair replacement clinic. If you dread the idea of walking into a hair restoration clinic to be measured, prodded and evaluated, or if you're simply too shy to be bothered with it, a laser hair treatment program with an in-home hand-held laser comb may be your best solution. 10. Hand-held laser combs for home use - If you choose the hand-held laser comb that is now on the market, it's an even more cost effective option. Use of the laser comb three times a week at home for 30 to 40 minutes is all you need to do. No need to drive in to a clinic for laser hair treatments. And it's yours forever. As your hair regrows after using laser hair therapy, your confidence will grow as well. A thick head of healthy hair means a more vital, healthy, happy you. Ray Treadwell is a freelance journalist with specialized knowledge of the Hair Loss industry with an emphasis on Laser Hair Loss Therapy Contact Ray at laserhairloss@gmail.com for more information. Laser Hair Loss Treatment.
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One-hundred and forty-eight participants with varying degrees of male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) participated in an open-ended study using an all natural compound solution to determine the effects of hair regrowth.
The participants were photographed and initial hair counts were done in a 2.5 cm diameter area of their balding scalp.
After five months of treatment, the participants were re-photographed and hair counts were done on the same 2.5 cm diameter area of the scalp. The results indicate that 85.7% of the men in the study had an increase in their terminal hairs of 30% or greater. When evaluating the percent increase more closely, we find that we can break the data down into three separate groups:
1. Significant regrowth
2. Moderate regrowth
3. No change
Showing significant regrowth was 40.8% of the study group and had an increase of 100% or greater (doubling, tripling, or more) of terminal hairs counted on their five month post-treatment photo as compared to their initial pre-treatment photo. Of this group, the highest increase of hairs was 472%, and the lowest increase was 102% with the mean at 193.7% increase of hairs.
The group of men showing moderate regrowth, which we classed as 30%-100% increase in terminal hair regrowth, was 44.9% of the study group. The mean increase of that group was a 61.5% increase of hair regrowth.
The remainder of the group, classed as no change, was 14.3% of the study group, with an average of 6.7% increase in regrowth.
Participants were told to use at least one bottle per month (five bottles in five months) but were allowed to use more if desired. We did not see any significant advantage to using more than one bottle per month. Our conclusion is that the stimulatory effect of the compound is achieved at the use rate of one bottle per month.
The age range of the participants in the ability to regrow hair was not a factor. The range of the participants in this study was 24-68 years old, with the average age being 38.7 years.
In summary, this study concludes that the natural herbal extract solution has a stimulatory effect on hair growth for at least 8 out of 10 men with androgenic alopecia (balding). The earlier stages of balding appear to respond to a higher degree, but significant improvement was seen in participants at all stages of baldness. There appears to be an optimum rate of use of the product, and age does not seem to be a factor in response.
Introduction
Hair performs no vital function relative to the medical well being of humans. Yet the psycho-social implications can never be underestimated. Scalp hair can be the crowning glory for the femininity of women and a potent symbol of masculinity and security in men.
Reversal of male pattern baldness in men has for centuries eluded science and medicine. Minoxidil (commonly known as Rogaine) and Diazoxide have shown in past studies to reverse balding in men, although in only small percentages of the patients studied.
This study demonstrated the safety and efficacy of a natural compound solution to stimulate hair growth. The solution is coupled with a treatment regimen which includes scalp cleansing and proper scalp massaging.
Patients and Methods
One hundred and sixty four males with male pattern baldness from the greater Toronto area were studied at the hair clinic. After informed consent and observing past medical histories and years of balding, the men were selected. Patients that were using any form corticosteroids, cytotoxic agents, or any other form of hair regrowth agent like minoxidil were excluded from the study.
It was decided to run an open-ended study. All men were instructed and shown very carefully how to use the specially formulated scalp cleanser and all natural compound solution. Once this was handled, all the men were photographed with a high resolution Minolta "instant pro" camera. The room was brightly illuminated for close examination of the scalp and individual hairs. The camera was positioned exactly 25 cm from the balding or thinning areas with frontal, top, and rear pictures taken as needed. The participants were asked to wait for the picture to develop and sign their respective photos.
* Administration and Dosage
The all natural compound solution was supplied at no charge to the participants. Each person received 250 ml of the alcohol based all natural compound solution along with 250 ml of a specially formulated deep scalp cleanser. They were all individually and carefully instructed on the proper usage of both the scalp cleanser and the all natural compound solution.
* Evaluation and Assessment Grading
The photos taken prior to the treatment were closely evaluated. Before the treatment was initiated, a 2.5 cm circle in diameter was drawn in the balding area, always very near the border of the area demonstrating the most significant hair loss. Initial hair counts were done using a 4X magnifying lens mounted on a circular fluorescent lamp. Independent counts were made by two of us (MS and AJF), times 2, and the average of the two counters was used for statistical purposes. The hairs in the 2.5 cm area were counted, including hairs on the circular boundary. The final counts on the participants were done after five (5) months on the treatment program. The same criteria from the initial photograph was used to determine the exact location of the 2.5 cm area on the scalp and the same procedure was used to count hair roots within and on the boundary of the inscribed circular area.
At the conclusion of the five (5) month treatment program, the photos were graded under the following categories: A zero (0) grading was given to the photos that revealed no change from their initial pre-treatment photo. A grading of one (1) was given to the participants with moderate regrowth of hair from their respective original photos. And a grading of two (2) was assigned to the men with a significant regrowth of hair from their original photos.
Results
Of the one-hundred and sixty-four participants starting the study, eleven were eliminated because of their repeated absence from photo sessions and failure to use the product. Four were eliminated due to their irregular use of both the scalp cleanser and the all natural compound solution, and one person was discontinued because he relocated to another country. The remainder of the 148 participants applied the all natural compound solution at least twice daily for the five months as required for this study.
The regrowth of hair was first noticed on some participants as early as two months into the treatment. By the third month, a substantial number of men demonstrated moderate regrowth; both fine vellus hairs (peach fuzz) and darker pigmented intermediate and terminal hairs were observed. It is noteworthy to mention that the fine vellus hairs, although visible to the naked eye, were not detectable by the photos. Thus all of our quantitative and qualitative assessments were made from any intermediate and/or terminal hairs.
* Criteria for Analysis of Response to All Natural Compound Solution
The following parameters were used to classify the magnitude of hair regrowth: Subjects with less than a 30% increase in intermediate and/or terminal hairs were counted as no change. The moderate improvement group we determined were the men that showed an increase of final hair counts of greater than 30% and up to a 100% increases of terminal hairs, in their five month photos as compared to their original photos. The last group we identified was the significant increase group. This group showed the best improvement of all the men in the study, and we included those with hair count increases of 100% or greater.
* Response of the All Natural Compound Solution on Baldness
Although the qualitative and quantitative assessments were done independently, there was a strong correlation between the two groups. Overall, 88% of the qualitative group showed some degree of improvement. Of the group studied quantitatively, 85.7% showed a degree of regrowth (within 95% confidence limits). With the qualitative group, 6 of 50 men were categorized as having no change (category 0), representing 12% of the total. In the quantitative group (98 participants), 14 men, or 14.3% did not show any increase in hair counts. The average hair count increase for this group was 6.7%. So most subjects in this group did regrow some hair, but not a noticeable amount.
The moderately improved qualitative group (category 1) consisted of 16 participants, or 32%. In the quantitatively studied group, 44 of 98 men fell into the range of +30% to +100%. This represents 44.9% of the men. The range of increase was 32% to 98%, with the mean at 61.5% The participants showing significant regrowth in the qualitative group (category 2) were 28 of 50, or 56%. In the quantitatively studied group, the number of men with significant regrowth (greater than 100%) was 40 of 98, or 40.8%. These men had hair count increases of 100% or more. The range of hair count increases was 102% to 472%, with a mean increase of 194%. The photograph of these men and women showed significant cosmetic changes which correlates very well with our quantitative findings.
* Pattern of Hair Regrowth
From the photos taken monthly during the course of the study, a pattern of regrowth was observed in those participants who demonstrated a significant increase in hair counts over the five months. The first countable hairs were seen after 10-12 weeks of treatment and were first detected on the crown or vertex of the head. Following further treatment, hair was then observed regrowing in the margin of fringe of the thinning or balding areas of the scalp. Hair regrowth in the fronto-temporal region of the scalp was noted after 16-20 weeks of treatment, and this region appeared to be the most resistant to regrowth to date.
* Correlation of Response with Age
The average age of the 176 participants was 38.7 years. The mean ages for their respective groups were as follows: The no change group was 41.8 years. The moderate group was 36.7 years. And the significant group was 38.5 years. The youngest participant in the study was 24 years old, and the oldest participant was 68. There was no correlation between age and response to the treatment.
Discussion
This open-ended study has demonstrated the hair regrowth response of 148 men who have been treated with an all natural compound solution applied topically to balding or thinning regions of the scalp. The treatment program included regular scalp cleansing with a natural extract scalp cleanser and application of at least 5-10 ml of the all natural compound solution at least twice daily. The data showed that hair counts increased significantly for approximately 85% of the participants in the five month period.
The study methodology implies that the results obtained relate not only to the all natural compound solution used in the treatment, but also the overall treatment regimen. From previous minoxidil (Rogaine) papers, it was determined by them that a reasonable expectation for a "placebo-type" effect was a 10-15% increase in hair counts. Thus, by setting the cut-off in this study for moderate regrowth at a 30% increase, any increase due to a "placebo-type" effect is discounted.
An attempt was made to correlate the response (either no change, moderate change, or significant change) with a number of factors. None of the factors studied gave a strong correlation, although there were some trends noted. The number of years of balding or thinning hair did not appear to have any correlation with the final results. However, it should be noted that the number of years thinning was a number given by the participants, and could not be verified accurately. Thus it is a subject of assessment and may not be very reliable. To help balance this uncertainty, the results were grouped. Regardless of the groupings used, there was no grouping which demonstrated a significant correlation with results.
In terms of hair regrowth, this all natural compound solution appears to be more effective than minoxidil (Rogaine) and has no known side effects. A study by Alanis showed that a 2% minoxidil preparation applied topically increased hair counts by about 24% after 20 weeks. This study showed an increase of 89% in the same time period. Because of the differences in locating the measured regions of the scalp, these results are not directly comparable, but in a population study, Alanis's results showed that 34-46 out of 83 participants (48%) had no growth after 24 weeks, whereas our results show only 14 out of 98 (14%) had no growth after 20 weeks. Thus, our conclusion is that this product does stimulate regrowth of hair in cases of androgenic alopecia (balding), and that over 85% of men will respond favorably to the treatment.
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Hair grows about a 1/2 inch per month. Hair health, genetics and your diet play a huge role in how fast your grows, but there are things you can do to move hair growth along at a faster rate. Nutrients are fed to the hair through the hair follicle which also contains an oil gland to keep hair shiny and a tiny muscle that keeps the hair attached. When the hair finally appears it is not alive and is composed of fibers made of 91 percent protein. You need a healthy diet which is rich in B vitamins, biotin, and amino acids which are the building blocks of protein, and herbal compounds that stimulate the scalp. So, if you want to grow your hair fast for starters you need; --A shampoo rich in amino acids (proteins) and herbs that stimulate the scalp
--Flaxseed Oil, Vitamin A and Zinc and Copper contribute to healthy hair growth
--Don't brush your hair when it is wet
--Do a scalp massage to stimulate circulation
--Quit smoking, it can cause hair loss
--Try to limit hair dyes & chemicals, high heat from hair dryers, heated rollers or flat irons
--Wear a hat if you will be in the sun
--Be patient Although hair does not perform any function as say a kidney or eyesight would, as a society an abundance of hair for a woman equals femininity and for men it equals masculinity. You could shave off all your hair or lose it and you would not die because of it, but in our culture, we want gorgeous hair. We are also impatient and want instant results. Although we can not get instant results growing hair, unless you get hair extensions; we can provide our hair and scalp with optimal growing conditions. Much like a baby in the womb or a vegetable garden growing under a hot house. If they are both given the nutrients they need, the optimal environment will get things going a little faster. R. T. Shelly has been studying alternative health conditions for many years. She is a regular contributor to Prescription Drug Alternative, a site discussing some of the most promising natural treatments for health on the market today. If you're looking for products to grow your hair fast visit the site to learn more.
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Surgical Therapy Laser-assisted hair removal is accomplished by destroying the follicular unit and thus inhibiting future hair growth by the follicle. The ability to accomplish this without damaging any surrounding tissue is based on the theory of selective photothermolysis. The theory states that at a particular wavelength (in nm), pulse duration, and fluence matrix, lasers or other light sources with wavelengths within the absorption spectrum of melanin are effective for hair removal. Typically the pulse duration, or length of time the pulse of light is emitted, should be shorter than or equal to the thermal relaxation time (TRT) of the target. The TRT of a hair follicle is from 10-100 milliseconds. However, pulses longer than the TRT of the hair shaft allows thermal damage to occur in the hair matrix stem cells and ensure follicular destruction. In order to minimize the risk of thermal damage to surrounding skin cells, cooling devices may be used to chill the skin before or during laser treatment. Laser SystemsSince the first lasers were approved for the use of hair removal in 1996, dramatic advances have occurred in laser technology. This has led to the development of several laser types for the treatment of unwanted hair. Before the widespread use of longer wavelengths and pulse durations and more effective cooling devices, laser-assisted hair removal was best used to treat individuals with light skin and dark hair. More recently, however, long-pulsed lasers have been used to safely and effectively treat patients with darker skin types. Laser light sources currently used to destroy hair photothermally include the long-pulsed ruby (694 nm), long-pulsed alexandrite (755 nm), long-pulsed diode (810 nm), and long-pulsed neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG, 1064 nm). The efficacy of these different lasers for treatment of unwanted hair and the frequency of adverse effects encountered after treatment have been compared in various skin types.5 The efficacy of each of the following laser systems is compared in terms of permanent hair reduction. Hair reduction, as defined by the FDA, "refers to a significant reduction in the number of terminal hairs after a given treatment, which is stable for a period of time longer than the complete growth cycle of hair follicles at the given body site." Long-pulsed ruby The long-pulsed ruby laser was the first widely used laser for hair removal. Its light energy has the most selective absorption by melanin and the shortest depth of penetration (wavelength of 694 nm). Use of this laser for hair removal is indicated in individuals with light skin and dark hair. Its efficacy in individuals with light skin has been demonstrated in numerous studies, ranging from 20-60% hair reduction after one treatment and up to 50-78% reduction after multiple treatments. The ruby laser penetrates the skin by only 1-2 millimeters and can cause significant absorption by epidermal melanin of thermal energy. In studies treating a wide range of skin types with the ruby laser, more adverse reactions have occurred in patients with darker skin. The use of this laser on patients with darker skin types is not recommended. Long-pulsed alexandrite The 755-nm alexandrite laser has now been widely used for laser hair removal and is recognized as being efficacious and generally safe. This laser is still typically used for patients with lighter skin types, but its longer wavelength allows for deeper penetration into the skin, and it can be used for patients with darker skin.5 Studies have reported hair reduction from 4-56% after only a single treatment and from 33-95% hair reduction after multiple treatments, depending upon number of treatments and body location. The adverse effects of this laser, when used on patients with darker skin types, can include blistering, crusting, and alterations of pigment, even when skin cooling devices are used. In patients classified as having the darkest skin, residual hypo- or hyperpigmentation is the rule with the alexandrite laser. Long-pulsed diode Treatment of unwanted hair with the 810-nm long-pulsed diode laser has been demonstrated as comparable to those of the ruby or alexandrite lasers. After a single treatment, hair reductions of 32-34% have been reported, and up to 84% hair reduction has been reported after multiple treatments. The diode laser has a longer wavelength and adjustable pulse duration, and, when used with an efficient skin-cooling device, allows for the treatment of patients with darker skin types. The diode laser is more effective for laser-assisted hair removal in patients with dark skin because of the higher absorption by melanin than is seen with the Nd:YAG laser. Still, temporary adverse effects have been reported with the use of the diode laser in the form of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation when used on individuals with dark skin.6 Long-pulsed Nd:YAG The Nd:YAG laser is the safest type used to treat unwanted hair on patients with dark skin and is most suitable for patients in this group. At 1064 nm, this laser penetrates the skin deeper than other lasers (to a level of 4-6 mm) with less absorption at the skin, but it is also less effectively absorbed by melanin. This leads to lower instances of adverse effects and better tolerance in patients with dark skin, but also lower efficacy for hair removal.7 Permanent hair loss has been reported, however, with reported hair reductions of 27-53%, depending on the number of treatments administered and the body location. The FDA has approved the long-pulsed diode and the long-pulsed Nd:YAG lasers for use in hair removal in patients with darker skin classifications. All FDA-approved laser systems used for hair removal must have efficient and effective epidermal cooling devices incorporated as part of the system. Intense pulsed light systems Pulsed, noncoherent broadband light sources are now accepted and widely used in the medical industry for hair removal and other applications. Intense pulsed light (IPL) systems utilize a xenon bulb as a light source, which produces polychromatic light with wavelengths from 550-1200 nm. This is in contrast to laser light sources, which produce monochromatic light of a specific wavelength. Light emitted by the bulb passes through a filter that excludes shorter wavelengths that may severely damage skin. The ability to "tune" the wavelength of light emitted by these systems gives IPL systems the advantage of versatility. Using different filters, a pulsed light system could mimic any number of laser systems, allowing the operator to treat many different conditions amenable to light therapy, including, of course, the removal of unwanted hair. Studies have shown intense pulsed light to be an effective method of hair removal. In a study of 210 patients who underwent hair removal by IPL, a mean hair reduction of 80% was reported after 3-5 treatments. Minimal adverse effects, including transient erythema and localized edema, were reported. The variability of light output can also be a disadvantage of IPL systems. The light spectrum may vary slightly with each pulse, and reproducibility of treatments varies between operators. The handpieces of IPL systems are typically larger than laser-based systems, which makes treatment of fine areas of the skin difficult. Preoperative Details A large discrepancy can exist between patient expectations of treatment with laser-assisted hair removal systems and the actual effects of such a treatment. Open communication must exist between the care provider and the patient. A body surface area does not realistically remain completely hair-free after a single laser-assisted hair removal treatment. Expectations
- Approximately 80% of all patients respond well to laser hair removal therapy.
- Patients should be counseled to expect a 30% decrease in hair at the treatment area with each laser treatment.
- Patients should understand that multiple treatments are often necessary to achieve the desired reduction in hair at a given body area. A minimum of 5 treatments is often necessary to achieve optimal patient satisfaction.
- Treatments are typically spaced 1-3 months apart.
- Individual response to laser-assisted hair removal is highly variable and depends upon numerous factors, including skin color, hair color and size, laser type, fluence, wavelength, and skin preparation.
- Laser hair removal is not without risk. Some discomfort may be associated with the procedure. Patients must also understand the potential for adverse effects, adverse reactions, and complications of laser treatment for unwanted hair.
- The best candidate for laser hair removal is a patient with light skin and dark hair.
Skin preparation and safety
- Patients should be instructed to avoid sunlight and active tanning prior to treatment. Bleaching of the skin with retinoic acid or hydroquinone can lighten the skin prior to laser treatment.
- Patients may shave or use depilatory creams up to the day prior to treatment, leaving hairs within the follicle and below the skin surface.
- Topical anesthetic creams or cryogenic sprays may be applied to the treatment area to reduce discomfort during the procedure. Cold compresses are also effective in reducing discomfort, erythema, and edema at the treatment area.
- The skin surface must be thoroughly cleansed of all makeup, anesthetic creams, and other applicants immediately prior to laser treatment. This may be done with water, followed by alcohol swabs, and should be allowed to dry completely.
- Laser systems are dangerous hazards to the eye. The highest concentration of melanin in the body is contained in the retina, which is highly susceptible to damage by laser light. Every person in the room during laser treatment should wear protective eyewear that is certified for the wavelength of the laser in use. Because the patient usually lies supine, he or she may require full occlusive eye protection to prevent laser light from entering underneath a sunglasses or goggle type of protective eyewear.
Intraoperative Details Optimal outcomes of laser-assisted hair removal are obtained with the highest fluences, appropriate pulse duration, and the largest laser spot size. Test spots may be performed prior to treatment of larger areas to determine to highest fluence tolerated by the individual patient and the laser's effect on surrounding skin. The amount of fluence used should also depend upon the area of the body to be treated and the density of hairs at the site. - In areas with thick, dense hairs, such as the beard area or upper back in men or the bikini area in women, a lower fluence should be used until the hair has sufficiently thinned. Epidermal damage could otherwise occur, due to the additive thermal energy absorbed by the higher density of hair follicles.
- When treating the brow area on men or women, the skin should be pulled up and away from the eyes and should overlay a flat portion of the forehead. This helps minimize the risk of laser light exposure to the eye and retina.
- A higher occurrence of adverse effects and adverse reactions has been noted at the neck region in women; higher fluences in this area should be used with caution.
- For treatment of the chin, perioral region, or upper lip, tooth enamel should be protected from excessive laser light exposure. Inappropriate exposure to certain laser light may induce hard tissue disintegration in the tooth and irreversible damage to dental pulp.
To minimize the possibility of thermal damage to skin and to improve patient comfort, the skin should be cooled during laser-assisted hair removal. As previously stated, all FDA-approved laser systems have an epidermal cooling device incorporated into the handpiece. Incorporated cooling mechanisms currently in use include cryogen sprays, sapphire-cooled hand pieces, and cold airflow. - Cryogen sprays are used in short bursts prior to each pulse of laser light. Increasing the length of cryogen spurts can decrease the pain felt by the patient.
- A pre-cooled, heat-sinked sapphire window or water-cooled glass window can be incorporated into the laser handpiece. This comes into contact with the skin to be treated and cools the skin.
- Some laser handpieces contain a source of continuous cooled air. This cold air is blown over the area to be treated and cools the skin during laser treatment.
- Cold compresses or ice packs may be used prior to treatment, along with cooled laser handpieces. These may be applied prior to treatment or intermittently during a longer treatment time.
- Application of a cooled gel (eg, ultrasound, aloe vera) to the skin can aid in minimizing discomfort and epidermal damage. All gel must, however, be thoroughly removed from the skin prior to treatment.
A recent study has introduced a pneumatic skin flattening (PSF) device as an alternative to the dynamic cooling devices that are currently used.8 This device generates negative pressure on a small area of the patient’s skin, elevating and flattening the skin onto a sapphire window in preparation for laser therapy. This feeling of pressure against the skin may block the sensation of pain experienced by the patient. Study results thus far show that this method of treatment can be successful. During laser treatment, each laser spot should overlap by no more than one third of the spot size. Further overlapping of continuous pulses causes accumulation of thermal injury and potentially causes epidermal damage. No overlapping of spots could result in missed areas in the treatment area. A treatment grid could be applied to the patient's skin and used as a guideline to outline the treatment area. With experience, the laser operator becomes proficient in visually tracking the treatment area. Postoperative Details - Immediately after a treatment session, patients should be given a cold compress or ice pack to decrease pain and reduce swelling. This effectively reduces discomfort, edema, and erythema, and keeps epidermal adverse effects to a minimum.
- Patients may also be given a topical corticosteroid cream to decrease local erythema.
- If minor skin damage has occurred, a topical antibiotic ointment may be applied until the skin has sufficiently healed.
- For more serious skin damage, an oral antibiotic may be prescribed for prophylaxis if deemed necessary by the health care provider.
- Makeup may be applied to treated areas the day following the procedure, as long as no epidermal damage has occurred.
- Patients should be told that hair casts will shed from treated areas over the following week and that this should not be confused with new hair growth.
Follow-up Future treatments should be planned when they are likely to be most effective. Timing depends upon the body surface area to be treated. Hair on the trunk and extremities grows more slowly than on the face and head, and future treatments to the trunk and extremity should be planned after 2-4 months. In women, facial hair is lighter in color and finer in texture than on other parts of the body. These hair properties make the face a resistant area to treatment. Therefore, greater numbers of treatments are often required, and at shorter intervals. Treatments of the face should be timed at intervals of approximately 4-6 weeks. Complications Immediate effects after a single treatment of laser-assisted hair removal include perifollicular erythema and edema. These are expected after treatment and should not be considered adverse effects. They are minimized by cold application and resolve in a few hours. The risk of developing adverse effects or complications after laser-assisted hair removal varies widely and depends upon many factors. The type of laser used may contribute to the incidence of adverse effects. - The highest incidence of adverse effects has been reported to occur in patients with darker skin who were treated with the long-pulsed ruby laser.
- For individuals with darker skin, the long-pulsed diode laser and the long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser are recommended, and the Nd:YAG laser has been shown to have the least incidence of adverse effects.9
The incidence of adverse effects was reported after laser-assisted hair removal was performed on 480 patients. Reported adverse effects included (from highest to lowest incidence) blistering, hyperpigmentation, scabbing, hypopigmentation, scar formation, and thrombophlebitis. - Blistering appears to be the most common adverse reaction and has been reported after treatment with all of the laser systems in use today over various skin tones. Blistering is a result of injury to the epidermis, possibly due to high fluences or increased overlapping of laser pulses.
- Scab formation is also a common adverse effect of laser treatment, due to epidermal damage. Blistering and minimal epidermal crusting have been reported in up to 15% of patients treated with both ruby and alexandrite lasers. These occurrences are more common in patients with tanned skin and darker skin types.
- Hyperpigmentation is a darkening of the skin and can occur after laser treatment. This phenomenon is usually reversible and is due to a stimulation of melanin production in skin melanocytes. This reaction is similar to a suntan.
- Hypopigmentation, or lightening of the skin, can occur after laser treatments. This is caused by damage to the epidermal melanocytes after their melanin absorbs laser light energy, causing destruction of these cells. This type of damage may be permanent and occurs more commonly in patients with darker skin.
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Is Laser Hair Removal Right For Me? Some people find their unwanted hair so embarrassing and inconvenient that it compromises their happiness, or free-time. People get hair removal by laser over other methods of hair removal for a variety of reasons ranging from being self-conscious of facial hair, in-grown hairs, or the sheer time it takes to shave or wax on an ongoing basis. Lasers usually target melanin so if you have dark hair and light skin you may be the “ideal candidate”. Since lasers usually target melanin, it may be more of a challenge to remove hair from people with dark skin. The same goes for removing hair from tanned people or people taking photo-sensitive medications such as Accutane. Lasers vary however, and many clinics have more than one laser that it better at removing hair from different types of clients. Bottom-line is that it makes sense to fill out our Free Consultation to find out if the laser clinic nearest to you has a laser that is appropriate for you. Laser may be expensive, but from our experience, clients commonly come from every walk of life; each having very personal reasons for getting laser hair removal (sometimes from every imaginable body area). Remember not to be embarrassed to tell your laser technician about your unwanted hair. They are there to help you, and used to hearing a variety of requests. You are not alone in wanting your hair removed! Click here to fill out our brief on-line questionnaire to see if laser hair removal is right for you.
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A laser is a machine that emits one wavelength of intense light. Some lasers target melanin. These lasers can be used to target the melanin within hair. The Laser Hair Removal Procedure A pulse of energy is sent through the laser hair removal hand-piece. Since laser light involves heat to stop the hair follicle from growing again, a cooling system is needed to protect the skin. Sometimes the cooling system is a chilled laser hair removal tip, and sometimes it is in the form of a gel or a spray used during the laser hair removal procedure. When the laser heat reaches the hair follicle, it deters or stops future hair re-growth of unwanted hair. Typically, laser hair removal requires 3-5 treatments.
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If you're interested in laser hair removal, it's important, as a first step, to learn how it works. Laser hair removal technology is the use of an invisible beam of light and a constant source of heat that penetrates the hair follicle, disabling and then destroying it at its root while preserving the surrounding skin. The procedure of removing unwanted hair is simply targeting the follicle and then directing the laser beam at its root. The hair removal process begins as the laser beam finds the hair follicle that it is targeting by first finding the melanin (the dark color of the hair). Who can benefit from Laser Hair Removal? Laser hair removal works best on those people with dark hair and fair skin. Melanin is also found in skin, so those people with dark skin either from suntans or by birth will not be ideal candidates for laser hair removal. Neither will red headed or light blond haired people — simply because the laser is solely attracted to the darkness of the hair. Laser hair removal is most successful when the hair is in its anagen phase (the phase when a hair follicle is its active growth). This phase lasts several years — 85% of our hair is in that phase at any given time. During this phase, the hair is easily targeted and more easily destroyed. Are there any problems with Laser Hair Removal? Unlike other hair removal methods such as electrolysis, waxing and, of course, shaving, laser hair removal is the most state-of-the-art and high-tech method in removing unwanted hair for longer (and even indefinite) periods of time. It is the only proven method available for easily removing hair from mass areas of the body including back, chest, legs and face. Laser hair removal is effective, precise and cost efficient. The laser simply and directly pinpoints the root of the hair and removes it from the body. Although the process is precise and beneficial, it can be irritating to the skin — therefore it is important that the surrounding skin be cooled with a gel, a spray or a cooling device throughout the procedure. These cooling systems prevent the laser beam from causing harm or discomfort to the surrounding skin. Types of Lasers There are currently four types of lasers used for hair removal: Alexandrite – such as the Candela GentleLase Plus Ruby – such as the EpiTouch or Epilaser Diode – such as the Coherent Light Sheer ND and LP ND Yag – such as the Candela GentleYag and the Altus Cool Glide Each of these techniques is FDA-approved and proven effective, fast and safe methods for successful hair removal and permanent hair reduction. What to look for Although it is the work of the laser that removes the hair follicle, successful laser hair removal depends upon the skill and knowledge of the technician who manipulates and maneuvers the laser. That is, once the laser is selected, it is the mastery of the technician that will yield the best results. Now let's better understand the technique involved. Words like pulse, fluency and time are imperative to you, the consumer. These techniques will ensure that your experience is comfortable and effective. For instance, long pulsed lasers are considered to be the safest. Energy and fluency levels of the laser can be specified depending on your personal skin type. The time allowed between pulses of light allows the skin and follicle to cool for longer periods of time, making your experience more pleasant. The size of the area on your skin's surface affects the speed and penetration of the laser — a larger area allows the technician to go deeper into the root of the hair follicle, which can give you better results per session. Laser hair removal is not a one-time procedure. But, in just a few sessions, you can feel like a different person. The power of the laser is unchallenged by any other hair removal method available. Now that you have some definitions about laser hair removal let us help you make some decisions. View our Frequently Asked Questions to investigate further if laser hair removal is right for you — or, to find out if you are a good candidate for laser hair removal, just take our Free Instant Consultation.
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Body Hair Removal Guide
Excessive body hair on men and women can be embarrassing and upsetting and can take a toll on self esteem. But people shouldn't let unwanted body hair stand in the way of their happiness.
There are many ways to get rid of unwanted body hair, including shaving, waxing, depilatories, electrolysis, and laser hair removal. Each has its advantage and disadvantages and which to choose is a highly personal decision.
This guide offers some advantages and disadvantages of various methods and can help you decide which one might work best for you. Keep in mind that hair removal is often not permanent and is a continual process.
Shaving
Of all the methods of hair removal, shaving is the most temporary. Shaving merely trims the hair at the skin surface and does not affect the hair at its roots.
You should be sure to apply moisturizer to your skin so the razor won't cut you. Many men and women find they have to shave on a daily basis in order to maintain a groomed look. If long-lasting hair removal is your goal, this method is not for you.
Waxing
Waxing is a tried and true method of removing large amounts of hair at one time. Wax can be applied hot or cold. The hair sticks to the wax and comes up when the wax is pulled off. It is fast and can be done at home or at a salon. But it can also be messy, difficult to get consistent results, and you must be careful to avoid infections that can result from burning your skin. What's more, waxing at a salon can be costly.
Typically, waxing can be done on most parts of the body, the exceptions being the male genitals, nipples, inside the ears and nose, and eyelashes. Hair will generally reappear between three and eight weeks. You might find the hair is finer or that some never grows back.
Depilatories
Depilatories are creams or liquids that are applied to the skin's surface, dissolving the hair so that it can be wiped or washed away. Depilatories work quickly — doing the best job on the legs, underarms, and bikini area — and are easily obtainable and inexpensive. But, they only last up to a few weeks, are messy, and often smell bad. Some people are allergic to them. People with coarse hair may not find depilatories particularly effective.
Electrolysis
If you're looking for a permanent solution to hair removal, and have only a small area where you want hair removed, electrolysis may be for you. Keep in mind, however, that many people find it painful. (A topical anesthetic may be applied to ease the pain.)
This procedure requires several treatments during which a professional inserts a needle into the hair follicle, zapping it with an electric current and killing the root.
Electrolysis is the most expensive and takes the most time. Nonetheless, people with certain skin and hair types, for whom laser hair removal is not an option, might find electrolysis the option for them. Expect to pay upwards of $150 an hour for electrolysis.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is the most state-of-the-art and high-tech method in removing unwanted hair for longer and even indefinite periods of time. It is the only proven method available for easily removing hair from large areas of the body including the back, chest, legs and face. Laser hair removal is effective, precise and cost efficient.
That said, depending on your complexion, it may not be for you, as it works better on people with light skin and dark brown or black hair. Experienced laser clinics generally charge between $200 and $600 per session. Large areas, such as the back or legs will cost significantly more, while small areas on the face, for example, may cost less. Your particular situation will determine the exact pricing.
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Improved Self-Confidence — Laser hair removal can help you feel and look your very best, no longer questioning how you look when you show off a bit of skin. - Look Great — Hair removal by laser can help you be free to enjoy smooth and sexy skin all the time. No more uncomfortable in between and grow-in stages.
- Save Money —Laser for permanent hair removal may seem expensive, but over time you will really be saving the dollars. In the long run, laser hair removal costs less than continued waxing, electrolysis and other hair removal methods.
- Save Time — Free up your time with laser hair removal. Eliminate the daily or monthly hair removal routine, no longer having to think about missing your lunch hour to wax, or get electrolysis again. Wake up each morning and just go!
- Eliminate Ingrown Hairs — Ingrown hairs can cause discomfort, infections and self-consciousness
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 Bikini laser hair removal is gaining popularity among the women. Once a need but nowadays the most popular fashion of today is the bikini line hair removal. Removing bikini line hair is not a new practice. Today's woman is spending a lot to be in fashion by modern standards but the hindrance in the way is unwanted bikini line hairs. Bikini laser hair removal is a promising solution for this problem. Bikini hair removal history In the past, some women used to remove bikini line hairs because these were considered ugly and can also cause certain diseases of genital and urinary tract. In remote past they were in fashion in the Persian era and the Babylonian civilization but in the 19th century the disease harboring nature of pubic hairs became evident and in the 20th century a mass campaign was launched against it. A campaign was launched to get the women proper knowledge of personal hygiene, cleanliness and role of underarm hairs and bikini hairs in disease process. As a result more women became inclined towards bikini hair removal. Bikini hair removal a fashion The women of today is far more concerned about her looks. The ever growing advertisement industry and showbiz glamour is the catalyst. An average woman is spending lot more on designing of her outfit and may spend up to 300$ on bikini or swimming costume. But if she is unable to unleash herself on a beach or a pool due to a bunch of mean looking bikini hairs which can totally spoil her looks. Then she is spending all her money on designing just for nothing. Bikini laser hair removal is answer to all her worries. Old methods of bikini hair removal The old methods of bikini hair removal are the same as the hair removal methods for other parts of body like shaving, depilation, waxing, tweezing etc. These methods are not only temporary but also very tedious and messy. These are also sometimes associated with the some types of skin reaction. These are being practiced a lot but with the increasing use of lasers they are losing their value. Bikini laser hair removal Its a permanent type of solution to your problems. In 6-8 sessions you can achieve a hair free bikini line and these sessions spaced over a month at least. With each laser treatment the density of hair A trained physician in laser hair removal procedure performs this procedure. It is a safe procedure but rarely can have some side-effects, depending upon the condition of the client. The cost of this procedure is a little higher than the other methods in the market but it is quick, pain less and permanent.
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 The permanent hair removal produced by lasers is the reason why everybody is talking about hair removal. Hairs on back have always been disturbing for both men and women. This has caused embarrassment to many people and led people to resort too different methods which are not suitable at all. Another problem with back hair is that these are difficult to remove by self to do methods. You will certainly require the help of a friend or will have to go to a saloon for that purpose. Back hair removal can be performed by different methods but if the cost, safety, effectiveness, and ease of use of the various methods, as well as the amount of hair growth to be treated are considered, the offerings of laser hair removal cannot be over looked. Laser hair removal is the latest and FDA approved method of hair removal available right now. The skin of the back is hard and less pain sensitive as a result laser hair removal can be performed without necessitating the use of pain relief medication during back laser hair removal. The back hair require a minimum of two or three treatment Conclusion As now there is a solution for problem previously considered untreatable. The changes in beauty trends and acceptance of the people at large has made laser hair removal world wide success. So, whatever is the area you want to remove hair, you would certainly look at laser hair removal as a first option.
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 Laser hair removal for arms and legs is favorite among women since lasers can remove hairs from large areas of the body easily and quickly. This makes Laser hair removal suitable to be used for hair removal from areas like arms and legs. As compared to laser hair removal, electrolysis on the other hand takes about 8-10 hours for hair removal from large areas like legs and arms which can be more than that if more hair are present. Imagine the pain you would experience when you can't wear your best evening dress in your friends party coz you have some hairs to hide. The hair on the arms can be very embarrassing on such occasions when all of the people are seeing you from head to toe. The problem with hair on the arms that these usually grow very fast and shaving that area can result in a rough stubble and ingrown hairs. Also, its a very tedious job to shave, wax or epilate your arms every time you want to wear some sleeve less dress. Thanks to laser now you can get hair free arms without having any worries about regrwoth and going through all these pains of waxing repeatedly. Electrolysis is also an option but its very lengthy and painful. You should only consider it when you have very light colored or blonde hairs, otherwise Laser hair removal is the proffered procedure for arms. The arms region especially your forearms is a bit more exposed part of the body so it may be a bit tanned than the rest of the body. So, you have to take care by using sun blocks and sleeved dresses before the treatment to prevent the tan. This operative care makes sure that you get minimum side effects. There is no such care afterwards when you have completed the full treatment. Usually 4-6 visits on an average are needed in total to get rid of the hair on the arms permanently. Laser Hair removal for legs Removing hair from legs and thighs is also very popular among the females. Hair removal from leg has always been popular among the females. With the change in fashions from low skirts to more short ones revealing more legs, the need for removing hair from legs has also arisen. Women swimmers and athletes also cannot afford to waste their time removing hair from their legs and also cannot leave them as such because they are continuously being noticed by people around them. Before lasers, women usually resorted to shaving and waxing to remove hairs. Shaving produces stubble which makes it unfit for use on the thighs and waxing is not a pleasant experience either. So, the best option available is the use of laser to get a clean, lithe and hair free legs. Conclusion Hence for arms and legs if u need permanent hair freedom your choice boils down to lasers in the end. If u want to reach this conclusion after trying all the other temporary methods then its your own choice but an intelligent choice would be to start with the laser hair removal right away and enjoy the permanent results achieved by this procedure.
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Technology is creeping fast on our planet. Everyday a storm of scientific knowledge is given in and most of it is being converted into its useful application, the birth of new technology.
The advent of laser hair removal is a clear example of this phenomenon. The birth of a new technology always gives rise to a lot of questions. Same is the case with the laser hair removal technology. Many questions arise in the mind of a people like;
Who is an ideal candidate for laser hair removal? Is there any standardization of laser hair removal? What are the merits demerits of laser hair removal? Who should perform laser hair removal? This technology is new and it has very bright business prospects so everyone is claiming to be expert of it including professionals and non-professionals. So the biggest current issue is that who is going to use this technology a physician or a beautician or the so called laserologist, because everyone claims to be master of it. There are self-declared laser specialists who have set up their training institutes where everyone can get training without any problem. So beauticians and other non-physicians are having training from these institutes and are going to play with the health of the masses. There is lack of medical supervision which is most important part of all the health related businesses. There is increased risk of quackery implicated with its beneficial uses. This is a serious problem which needs to be correctly promptly. The other problem with this is that there is no legislation about selling of this technology equipment to the buyer. Anyone can open buy laser hair removal equipment. This will make it available to non-physicians with great likelihood of increased incidence of laser hair removal side effects. The only recommended person to use this technology in logic terms is a physician, who has got respective training for proper use of the laser hair removal equipment. This will enhance the affectivity of the trade and safeguard the interests and health of consumer. No doubt it will increase the costs of laser hair removal but will also make the laser hair removal safe and cost effective in the long term.
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Laser hair removal is an extremely delicate procedure and much care is given to the preferences and the comfort of client. Before the start of any medical procedure including laser hair removal an adequate insight into patients general out look, past medical history and on going medical ailments is necessary. Following conditions should be considered before opting for laser hair removal procedure to achieve best laser hair removal results.  Patient education and consent The patient should be informed about the details of the actual procedure, possible side effects and success rates. An agreement about the laser hair removal costs should also be reached to avoid future disputes. Proper written consent of the patient should be taken. Precautions and post procedural care should also be told. Six weeks before laser treatment The following care should be taken 6 weeks prior to the laser hair removal treatment - Conditions causing Hypertrichosis which include hormonal, familial, drug-related, or tumor-related conditions.
- History of previous treatment methods, last treatment session and results should be considered.
- History of herpes a skin disease.
- History of scarring after a dermal laser treatment
- The specific pathological condition causing excessive hair growth if any should be known and also treated like hormonal derangement and ovarian tumors.
- Medication in use if any.
Use of sun block Exposure to the sun should be minimized and skin tanning should be avoided at all costs if one is looking forward for laser hair removal on the exposed sites. Laser hair removal works well in high contrast areas, light skin verses dark hair, and for that purpose a broad-spectrum sun block is highly recommended. Even passive tanning can greatly worsen the situation so, strong sun block, effective against both UVA and UVB with high SPF (sun protection factor) like Fake Bake SPF 30 Body Lotion  is usually recommended. You can also use Joey New York Pure Pores Oil-Free Moisturizer with SPF 15  if u have an oily skin or want to use an oil free solution. Use of bleach cream Bleach creams and sun screens should be advised to the dark skinned or suntan persons to lighten up the complexion before the procedure. Patients with darker skin or tanned skin are generally prescribed a bleaching cream such as hydroquinone in order to ensure proper contrast. The Fade Out Gentle Cream Bleach  is an effective non-prescription option available to get reliable results. Skin patch testing Three or four days before the treatment skin patch testing is done to determine appropriate parameters for best laser hair removal results for a particular person. Probable estimation of results and suitable settings of the laser equipment are calculated by skin patch testing. Avoid waxing plucking and electrolysis The patient should avoid plucking, waxing, or electrolysis as now it is a documented fact that better results are obtained by shaving the area before treatment instead of waxing, suggesting that light absorption by the pigmented hair shaft itself plays an important role. Depilatory creams and shaving Shaving and the use of depilatory creams can be allowed till the day of treatment. The intact hair shaft respond better targeted by the laser light because the hair shafts absorbs laser light and follicle burns easily. The patient should be instructed to shave area and if shaving causes irritation then second choice is depilatory creams. Use of drugs Drugs like (e.g. acyclovir, valacyclovir, famicyclovir) should be used prophylacticaly incase there is a risk of viral infection. Same is the case with antibiotics. Anesthetic creams should be applied only one hour before the start of procedure .The use of various drugs requires extreme caution and should only be used in consultation with your doctor. On the day of treatment On the day of treatment the following things are done - The skin is prepared for procedure by removing all topical applications including makeup creams powders etc because these can cause allergic reactions and can also decrease the efficacy.
- Local anesthesia is given on the requirement of client and the area under procedure but if required then topical cream is used to give the anesthesia.
- The operator should have good visibility for effective treatment. It can be facilitated with help of a head lamp or treatment gird.
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Laser hair removal post operative care is an important aspect of the laser hair removal procedure which should not be overlooked at any cost. Let aside the matter of laser hair removal preoperative care, the question of postoperative care haunts loads of people. They normally think about the side effects, skin implications and pain associated with laser hair removal procedure. For those of us who are really haunted by these nightmares about laser hair removal following passage will help to answer some 
of there basic fears. Redness Just after the treatment patient may experience redness and perifollicular edema in the area of treatment. There is no need to panic about small erythema or redness. The intensity and duration of these changes depends on the hair color and density. The fluence should be reduced if signs of epidermal damage develop during treatment .It is normal and subsides within a day but if it fails to subsides, although it happens very rarely, you should consult your doctor. Fate of treated Hairs The hair treated gradually shed off in a period of three to four weeks. After some time you may come across new growth. Don’t worry; this hair growth is due to the dormant hairs which are activated by the laser treatment. This growth of hair as you will notice will be much less in density as compared to the previous one. Just for that reason you need multiple visits to rid yourself of all these residual hairs. Care of Skin Immediately after the laser hair removal treatment don’t wash your skin with hot water and leave it as such but if required use tepid water. It’s suggested that you should use an effective sun block against UVA and UVB if the treated area is exposed area like face, neck and forearms. Pain and Swelling Pain is the first thought that pop up in ones mind and it can be reduced by using ice packs post operatively, ice packs also help to reduce the swelling after the procedure. If larger areas are treated then analgesics can be used for laser hair removal pain management but are seldom used for small areas. History Of previous ailments If there is any previous history of bacterial, viral or fungal infection then proper pre operative care should be taken. The course of prescribed medicine should be completed before the treatment. Care of Injury If epidermal injury occurs during the procedure then application of topical antibiotic creams and ointments twice daily is recommended. Mild topical steroid creams may also be prescribed to fight swelling and erythema. The steroids additionally reduce scarring of skin in case of injury. General Care In nutshell, take proper care of your skin after the procedure and avoid scratching the treated area, use sun screens to fight the hazardous effect of sun light over your now fragile skin for few days, use broad spectrum sun screen with a sun protection factor of 30. Makeup after treatment You can apply makeup immediately after the procedure is complete, it will help to hide some ill looking redness and you can leave the laser hair removal center immediately after the laser hair removal procedure and join the party. Incase if blistering or crusting develops then its better to avoid using makeup as makeup may cause some allergic reaction to the broken skin. Blistering and crusting Blistering and crusting may appear depending upon the skin type under laser hair removal treatment and measures should be taken to avoid harm. Make up is not recommended. Shedding of hair cast is a normal process after laser hair removal treatment and it should not be mistaken for hair growth.
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Laser hair removal treatments are usually pain free .The pain or discomfort experienced during laser hair removal varies greatly among different people. This is most often described as a burning or stinging sensation, and varies from one individual to the next. The pain experienced during laser hair removal is mostly bearable and doesn’t require any pain relief medication. But for a few people this might turn out to be a very painful experience. Management of Pain during Laser Hair removalFollowing types of pain management medicines are used for laser hair removal pain relief.
Topical creams, oral medicine and injectables. The topical creams are the recommended drugs but should be used only after advice from your doctor.
Risks of potential side effects - Allergy: Some people may be allergic to the medication used for laser hair removal pain relief. So proper medical history and sensitivity patch testing should be done to minimize the risks of allergy during laser hair removal treatment.
- Combining different drugs: The practice of combining different pain relief medication for more effective laser hair removal pain relief is common. This practice should be discouraged due to the possibility of harmful drug interactions.
- Using of habit forming drugs and dependency:Most of the drugs used for pain relief are habit forming. The patients have the tendency to use these drugs as pain killers other than laser hair removal pain relief. Along with many other adverse effects the most dangerous is the decency.
- Risk of over treatment:Due to insensible use of medication for hair removal pain relief, patients are unable to assess the extent of damage done as a result of over treatment by laser. This can result in burning and blistering of the skin. In one incidence the patient suffered second and third degree burns as a result of over treatment of an area at the hands of an experienced operator who had earlier prescribed her prescription drugs for hair removal pain relief.
AdviceThe use of medication for laser hair removal pain relief should be decided by your doctor not you. With the advent of new and effective laser hair removal devices the extensive use of medication for laser hair removal pain relief has become a thing of past.
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The growing popularity of laser hair removal and use of lasers in other cosmetology procedure has highlighted the need to use laser safety products especially laser eyewear. Laser safety eye wear is especially designed to reduce the amount of light of specific wavelengths to safe levels, while transmitting sufficient light for good vision There are different types of Laser safety eyewear which are in use. With the increase in the use of lasers for cosmetic procedures,  including laser hair removal, the concern about laser eye safety is also growing.
Laser eyewear selection The following things should be taken care of when choosing an eyewear for eye protection from laser hair removal. - Laser wavelength and peak radiance
- Optical density (OD)
- Visual transmittance
- Field of view
- Effects on color vision
- Absence of irreversible bleaching of the filter
- Comfort
- Impact resistance
Ignorance to these factors can result in severe eye injury. So carelessness on the part of a person can claim vision of a person as laser is double edge sword. WavelengthThe wavelength of laser light has a lot to do with the energy levels of laser light. The longer wavelength has low energy as compared to short wavelength .The eyewear should have imprinted on it the wavelength for which it can be used. The wavelength specific eyewear should always be used. Optical densityThe optical density of laser eyewear material gives its ability to reduce the energy level of a specific wavelength to a reduced safe level. The new reduced energy level of laser light is tolerable for human eye. The optical density values for a specific wavelength can be obtained from ANSI 136.1 guidelines or it can be calculated. The manufacturer should mention the material used in the manufacturing and should also give its optical density value. The user should take care of the optical density and wavelength specific values are imprinted on the eyewear. The other thing a customer should keep in mind when buying a laser eyewear that it should not be damaged because any damage can claim ones eyesight. Impact resistanceThe laser safety eyewear should be resistant to a level to different type of impacts which can damage it and cause reduction in its affectivity. The eyewear should be dust, heat and impact resistant up to a normal level. The proper data should be provided with the eyewear for the help of customer. Comfort This is a personal satisfaction factor and should be given a proper thought before acquiring a laser safety eyewear. Field of view It is related to the design of the eyewear. The design should not restrict field of vision because a hindered or reduced field of vision can result in an accident. Color vision effects The eyewear should not affect color vision during laser hair removal because it can lead to different types of accidents during the process. The color filter of material should be taken care of. Laser eyewear types Mostly three types of laser safety eye wear are used during laser hair removal procedure. Theses are Laser safety Glasses The glasses are typical type of laser eyewear. They fit tightly and provide specific protection against laser light energy. They can be worn over the vision correcting glasses. They are usually larger and heavier than spectacles and wraps. Laser safety spectacles Laser safety glasses are commonly used for protection against laser light. It is a frame having two separate with side shields. Wavelength specific lenses should be used in laser safety glasses for effective laser eye safety. Laser safety goggles Laser safety goggles are more effective than the laser safety glasses because of more extensive eye covering. Laser safety glasses might seem uncomfortable or rather awkward but these are safer and provide excellent laser eye protection. Wraps It is a kind of eye wear which can cover both eyes in a lighter frame. It consists of a single lens. It is a better choice than laser safety glasses and laser safety goggles Conclusion Laser eyewear is the only way out to avoid permanent damage to the retina resulting in blindness or in mild cases damage lens or cornea. The laser eyewear should be given proper consideration during laser hair removal procedure specially the imprinted wavelength and optical density of the lens used in laser eyewear. This could be achieved by ensuring proper laser hair removal standardization. This also demands a proper education about laser eye safety both for client and physician to avoid mishaps associated with the use of lasers for laser hair removal and other medical uses.
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Laser eye safety is one of basic concerns during any procedure involving lasers. Proper awareness of the laser eye safety is required both for the general public and the staff performing these procedures. Laser eye safety is extremely important as eye is the most sensitive part of the body and is more vulnerable to the laser energy. Any direct or indirect exposure to the laser light can do permanent damage to eye. The laser light in 400-1400nm range damages the retina (photosensitive part of eye). This damage to eye leaves retina of eye functionless.
Symptoms of eye damage The burning of retina is a painless process so irreparable damage to the eyes can take place with out any experience of pain. The other wavelengths leave bad affects on the cornea and lens of eye. So, laser exposure overall in any wavelength range or in any intensity can hurt eye in any process involving lasers including laser hair removal. -
Invisible lasers; Invisible lasers of wavelengths (10,600 nm) damage the light sensitive layer of the eye, with a feeling of a burning sensation.
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Visible lasers; As the visible lasers can be seen so exposure to it is felt as bright flash of light which changes its color first of the color of emitted wavelength is seen followed by its secondary color. It can cause direct damage to various structures of the eye like cornea, sclera and retina of the eye. In the later case damage to cones may result in loss of ability to differentiate red and blue colures. -
Color blindness; After retina is affected, the difficulty in detecting blue or green colors secondary to cone damage, and pigmentation of the retina may be noticed. -
Vision abnormalities; Exposure to laser of wavelength 1064 nm is also dangerous as it is undetectable due to lack of pain sensory nerve endings in the retina. Photo acoustic retinal damage may be associated with an audible "pop" at the time of exposure.
Factors determining damageThe following factors determine the extent of damage during laser hair removal procedure - Laser irradiance
- Exposure duration
- Beam size
Based on these factors the resultant damage can rage from partial exposure to severe damage to the eyes. Laser safety eyewear This should be used whenever there is exposure to laser light of any intensity or of any wavelength. The protective eyewear includes goggle, glasses, or shields which protect eye from potential laser injury. Specificity of Laser eyewear According to ANSI Z136.3 (1988) guidelines, each laser requires a specific type of protective laser eyewear which meets the respective safe requirement of the laser device being used. If you are not using a laser specific eye wear then chances are that u might damage your eyes despite wearing laser protective eyewear.
Conclusion Hence it is concluded that care of eyes must be the first priority. Eyes should be taken care of during any procedure involving lasers especially the laser hair removal procedure. As a general rule says, "safety of both client and performing physician should be first the priority of the physician during any cosmetic procedure".
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Laser hair removal safety issues are often overlooked. The wide acceptance of use of lasers in laser hair removal has overshadowed the safety issues associated with this procedure. The use of laser energy for laser hair removal can not only cause damage to eye but it can also cause other 
hazards. In the hands of an experienced operator and safe working condition the laser hair removal procedure is smooth sailing but in the hands of an inexperienced operator or faulty equipment it can be catastrophic. Some important issues like laser eye safety and the need of use of laser eyewear are discussed in full detail both for the benefit of consumers and laser operators. In order to avoid the hazards attached with the use of lasers following measures should be taken into considerations; General safety measures Laser clinics have an important role to play in this context. They must ensure that they are treating their clients with professional Following general safety measures should be adapted by the laser hair removal clinics in order to minimize the chance of any mishap which can occur during the course of treatment; Laser safety education The first and most important step to ensure proper safety of the clients and the persons using lasers is the laser safety education of the people. There should be proper education about the hazards associated with the misuse of lasers in any procedure including laser hair removal. The physician and client should have proper knowledge of the laser hair removal procedure and basic principle of laser hair removal which will ensure their safety during the procedure. The proper education on laser safety should be given to all persons involved. In this context proper warning signs and literature in the form of charts, booklets and hand outs should be made and displayed at the laser clinic for the benefit of prospective clients and other people. Laser warning signs There should laser warning signs placed on the rooms where the laser is being used. Safety signs should be placed on the rooms where laser hair removal procedure is performed. Also there should be an indicator on the entrance of the room telling that treatment is in progress. So. that the chances that any person enters the room unprotected by chance and damages himself. Laser safety officer A person expert on laser safety should be taken in as a laser safety officer who can properly look after the lasers and can suggest the proper solution to laser safety issues. He should also conduct routine checkups to ensure that the equipment being used is in perfect condition and all the safety rules are being followed. All these measures can only be effectively followed if there is standardization of laser hair removal. Also there should an agreement on who should perform laser hair removal and who should not. The above mentioned things can help to minimize hazards attached with this evolving technique and make it safe sound and more user friendly process.
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Pregnancy laser hair removal might be a confusing problem for pregnant mothers annoyed by the new hair growth which might be a problem for some. Pregnancy laser hair removal might be encountered by women who are already undergoing laser hair removal and are worried should they continue their with their sessions as planned or stop. Some women might also be worried about the safety of pregnancy laser hair removal for women who are trying to conceive. 
Is it wise to opt for pregnancy laser hair removal? Is it prudent to go for laser hair removal treatment when trying to conceive? These are the common question a laser experts get from many health conscious ladies. Importance Pregnancy marks the entry of a woman into motherhood. Pregnancy is an important and difficult stage in the life of a woman. Along with other problems associated with pregnancy the problem of unwanted hair growth is a visible and most annoying problem for some women. Various hormone changes going in the body during pregnancy are responsible for this problem. Most of the women experience morning sickness, insomnia, heartburn, headaches and body pains during their early pregnancies but later on they know with experience how to overcome these problem. Safety during pregnancy To get the answer those simple questions, proper insight into the mechanism of laser hair removal procedure is required.
Laser hair removal works by sending beams of high energy laser beams targeting hair follicles. In order to reach the hair follicles laser beams must pass through the skin not farther than few millimeters. Therefore, it’s not likely that laser light will penetrate deeper to cause any damage to the developing baby.
The laser light is nothing like an x ray and the exposure is only on the skin. A healthy pregnant woman has a 3% risk of birth defects and 15% chances of miscarriage and nobody can alter the risk. There is no proof that use of laser increases these risks in any way.
The next question is regarding conception. Whether the use of laser is safe if one is trying to conceive or if one conceives during the course of multiple treatments sessions required. The answer is the same that there are no risks involved at it all. Use of pain relief medication Last but not the least there is a question associated with the use pain relief medication. Extreme caution should be taken before using any medication for laser hair removal pain management during pregnancy due to possible harmful effects of certain drugs during pregnancy. No anesthesia is employed during the procedure but only topical anesthetic cream is employed which only desensitizes the upper skin and has nothing to do with the fetus or embryo. Additionally the introduction of new and safe laser devices with efficient cooling has minimized the use of anesthetic medication during this procedure. Advice Pregnancy can be a difficult time for women especially women pregnant for the first time. Due to the mood changes and increased irritability during pregnancy laser hair removal might turn out to be a painful procedure for some women. Also due to risk of complications not relating to laser hair removal but due to pregnancy itself the laser clinics do not take up pregnant patients. So, due to this consideration it’s better not to consider this procedure during pregnancy. If you have a previous schedule to follow then u should wait until you have delivered. Conclusion No known problems have been recorded yet which discourage pregnancy laser hair removal. It is quite safe and it has a good safety profile. So, whether you are pregnant or trying to conceive there are no risks associated with the use of lasers for removing hairs. But the main glitch is that laser clinics do not take pregnant ladies as patients. Also during pregnancy you might experience some new hair growth, so you should wait and get rid of all these hairs after your pregnancy.
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Laser hair removal procedures are usually not associated with complaints of allergy. Proper laser hair removal post operative work up of the client should be done. Prospective laser hair removal client with known allergies to different drugs or chemicals should tell the laser clinic before the laser hair removal procedure, to limit the chances they might be accidentally exposed to this chemical during laser hair removal procedure.
 Another question is whether laser hair removal is associated with development of allergy after laser hair removal procedure ? Allergy during Laser hair removal Allergy is a vast term for many bizarre reaction going in the body of person who is particularly at risk to some specific allergens (foreign material like pollen, dust etc). Allergy may manifest as skin itching, redness, swelling and rarely it may lead to anaphylactic shock, a life threatening condition. Some people associate allergy with laser hair removal side effects but it’s unlikely that laser hair removal patients will join hands with those who are already suffering from allergic episodes.
The detailed discussion of allergy is beyond the scope of this article but a brief over view is necessary to clear some doubts. Over body can develop allergy to any thing it recognizes as foreign. When the allergens (foreign materials causing allergy) interact with white blood cells, these are recognized as foreign .Our body’s immune mechanisms came to rescue and releases the mediators from their inventory. These mediators cause skin swelling, redness, edema and itching.
Certain people don't respond to foreign allergens but some sensitive skin types do respond to allergen. Laser hair removal from areas with tattoos Antigenicity of tattoo pigment is altered by the beam of Q switch lasers thus converting the otherwise harmless pigment into an allergen. Those altered pigments can cause allergic reactions particularly pruritis (itching), swelling redness and rarely anaphylaxis. The bright side is that experienced doctors can effectively mange the arousal. Contact dermatitis to topical medications Laser hair removal procedure may cause contact dermatitis or allergy especially to topical antibiotics and pain killers used for laser hair removal pain management. This can be avoided by prior testing because it is difficult to differentiate between contact dermatitis and infection in patients who have already had laser hair removal. Conclusion The risk associated with laser hair removal is not a direct. Nobody is allergic to light and off course laser is a light. It is recommended to remove the tattoo before laser hair removal procedure or conveniently plan the tattoo after laser hair removal treatment. Proper pre operative care should be given to the patients and those who are susceptible to allergy should undergo skin patch testing to rule out the chances of contact dermatitis.
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