Laser Hair Removal

The laser hair removal procedure is not as simple as it seems. Laser hair removal procedure is sensitive procedure as it involves lasers and the most sensitive areas of the body skin. So, detailed knowledge of laser hair removal procedure is necessary for both person performing and the person undergoing the procedure.
The Laser hair removal procedure is a stepwise process comprising of following steps

The laser hair removal procedure is not as simple as it seems. Laser hair removal procedure is sensitive procedure as it involves lasers and the most sensitive areas of the body skin. So, detailed knowledge of laser hair removal procedure is necessary for both person performing and the person undergoing the procedure.
The Laser hair removal procedure is a stepwise process comprising of following steps

Pretreatment considerations

Laser hair removal pre operative care of the patient should be included as a part of the procedure because neglecting this important aspect severely affects the out come of the treatment. Pain relief medication or anesthetic cream are applied an hour or so before the start of the procedure.

Principle of procedure

The basic principle of laser hair removal procedure is selective photo-thermal destruction which is the selective destruction of hair follicle by means of heat energy which is provided by the laser light.

Laser energy per unit area

Amount of laser energy required varies from client to client and it is estimated before treatment by test doses given to particular area of which treatment is to be done. Highest amount of tolerable laser energy should be delivered per unit area to ensure maximum outcome of the treatment. This is calculated by skin patch testing before the procedure.

Procedure

During the procedure, a hand-held laser is pressed against the skin and with the help of an automatic switch it is activate just for a fraction of a second. The laser light emitted as a result traverses the skin's surface to reach the hair follicles. Hair follicle structure include hair shaft, hair bulb and hair follicle matrix. These hair structures are abundant melanin which is highly laser sensitive. As a result selective targeting of the hair follicle and hair shaft takes place. The energy transmitted in this process is high enough to destroy the hair bulb and the hair follicle. As the skin contains far less amounts of melanin as compared to hair structures it absorbs negligible amount of laser energy. To enhance this effect a carbon lotion can also be used which is wavelength specific to the type of laser used and gives improved results. If sufficient laser energy is delivered during this procedure and enough hair follicle damage has occurred, the old hairs are stunned and shed out after some time. The results are best when appropriate equipment is used with selection of recommended laser parameters for that equipment.

Cooling of the skin

The cooling of the skin is required after the laser hair removal procedure is completed and it is done by

1. Clear gel cooling.
2. Contact cooling.
3. Cooling cryogen sprays.
4. Airflow cooling.

Newer laser devices have the ability to simultaneously cool the skin during the treatment hence further decreasing the chances of irritation and skin burns during the procedure.

Care required after treatment

Just after the completion of procedure ice packs are applied to minimize the pain and swelling of the skin. Pain killers are not used until required. If the skin gets injured then antibiotic and antiviral creams are applied on the skin. The area treated should not be scratched or pricked to avoid injury to that area. Sun block should be used and sun light exposure should be avoided. Make up can be used after a day or two if there is no skin damage. After completion of the procedure, an extensive laser hair removal post operative care is necessary to minimize the laser hair removal side effects.