Cosmetic Surgery & Beauty #73

feature
Laser
The most permanent method of de-fuzzing, laser
hair removal lends long-term results in achieving
silky, hair-free pins.
Today, a variety of lasers and light-based devices
can be used to reduce hair growth in unwanted
areas. Although not a permanent solution to hair
removal, after a treatment cycle only occasional
maintenance is needed.
The laser designed for hair removal releases
a wavelength of energy which is absorbed by
the pigment in the hair follicles. By targeting the
pigment, the surrounding skin is not damaged as
the energy is absorbed by the hair follicle only.
Prior to laser hair removal, it’s important not
to wax or pluck the treatment area for at least six
weeks. This ensures hair is present, as without it
the laser will not achieve the desired effect. The
hair growth cycle plays an important role in the
success of laser hair removal, and therefore multiple
treatments will be needed in order to achieve longterm
hair loss.
Hair follicles grow in a cycle, which is commonly
described in three stages. The first stage is referred
to as anagen, or the growth phase. Around 85
percent of all hairs are in the growing stage at any
one time and, depending on the individual, this may
last for between two and three weeks. Anagen is
followed by catagen, or the transitional phase,
when the follicle shrinks, and is partly destroyed.
Finally, the telogen phase describes a period of rest,
when the hair does not grow.
Laser has the greatest effect on growing hairs.
Because not all hairs are growing at the same time
– some are in transition, and others are resting –
it can take a number of treatments to successfully
reduce the hair in any one area. Multiple treatments
are therefore typically spaced several weeks
apart to ensure the growth phase of the hair is
targeted. csbm
After laser hair
removal, only
occasional
maintenance
is needed
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