Laser Hair Removal

Back hair can be more than just an beauty issue. In many cases the back hair can become irritated and itchy and the hair follicles may become infected. The discomfort is worsened with exercise, warm weather and associated sweating. Especially in the summer back hair are really in the way.

Laser hair removal for back hair may not be perfect but there are important advantages for every patient. Several potential lasers and light sources are available, each having a specific benefit for the patient it depence on the patients skin color, hair color, hair thickness and hair density.

One laser session can cover the whole back and is relatively well tolerated by the patient. In four to six treatment sessions a permanent reduction in the majority of hair can be achieved. With continued treatments, most hair may become permanently smaller and thinner or totally eliminated.

The use of the laser, and other light sources, have allowed for a real advance in the treatment of these patients. If you feel bad about your back hair we would really adviced you to go to laser hair removal clinic or to buy your own home laser removal system and just do it. You’ll feel much better and happier.

Eventhough removing your unwanted hair with laser is an excellent treatment way  some patients may experience hair regrowth. But the good thing is that this hair is usually finer, thinner and lighter in color. Possible side effects, though very rare, may include damage to the surrounding healthy tissue in the form of  burns, redness and swelling. The process is also not as effective on unpigmented hairs and red or blonde hair. Usually there isn’t any side effects of laser hair removal but of course sometimes it happens anyway so keep that in mind when you visit your clinic for laser hair removal.

Why is a series of treatments after laser hair removal required?
Everyone’s hair grows differently, depending on age, weight, metabolism, hormones, ethnicity, medications and other factors. But all hair goes through three distinct growth phases:

Active growth phase (called the anagen phase) which lasts between 2 and 7 years. During this phase the dermal papilla actively produces cells which form the hairshaft. In certain areas of the body, such as the scalp, the majority (83%) of the hairs are in this phase. During the anagen phase the hair has an abundance of melanin.

Degradation phase (catagen phase) which lasts between 10 and 20 days, during which the hair stops growing but is not yet shed. About 3-4% of our body hair is in this phase at any given time. The hair follicle shrinks at this time as the hair is prepared for eviction.

Resting phase (telogen phase) which can last for several months, during which the hair falls out and a new hair begins to form. The hair follicle is not treatable during this time.

Laser treatment is only effective when the hair is in the active growth phase. Hairs or hair follicles in the Degradation or Resting phase need to progress to the active phase before treatment will be beneficial. Therefore, multiple treatments are required for long term, permanent hair reduction.

Also, in a single treatment, not all of the hair follicles in the active phase will be destroyed. Some follicles are destroyed, others may be miniaturised into vellus hairs (light, fine hairs), and some enter prolonged dormancy. The initial treatment should be repeated to take care of active hair follicles that were not effectively treated in the first session as new hair growth is observed, this will typically be some 2 to 4 weeks later depending on where the treatment area is. Further treatments should be planned at regular intervals to clear hairs that are coming out of the resting phase and into the active growth phase. Given the number of hair follicles in the resting phase at any given time, this new hair re-growth can be significant.

Laser Hair Removal System

Presently everyone is aware of laser hair removal system, as these are also considered as most preferred choice for getting rid of unwanted hair from your body. One main advantage of making use of this type of treatment is that the process is painless. Laser hair removal system can be effectively used on different parts of your body like shoulders, bikini line, underarm, face, pubic area and thighs. This type of treatment certainly is done after waxing the area and then followed by the application of special heated lotion, that is applied to the follicles of the hair. This treatment is very much popular as it is very quick and efficient. There are a number of factors that makes this treatment effective like the experience of operator when using the equipment along with the technology that is being used for the treatment.

The treatment makes use of photothermolysis principle to get rid of unwanted hair. By making use of radiation, the hair melanin is damaged permanently such that other parts of the skin are not damaged. The treatment is carried out on the hair follicles till they are completely damaged and no longer capable of growing new hair. One main advantage of using this form of treatment is that even if the hair manage to grow back, still they might be very light in appearance.

There are wide variations of laser hair removal systems and each of them is designed on the type of hair and skin you have. Some of the treatments are very much effective even if you are having sensitive skin and fine hair. Initially therapist made use of cooling equipments so the burning sensation can be reduced to a much greater extent. This is also one way to try and get rid of side effects. The therapist focuses on smaller area at a time to get rid of the unwanted hair. This type of treatment also has a very slow rate of repetition and so you may have to take more number of seating with your therapist.

Few laser hair removal systems are also designed specially for men and are effective for course hair and large patch areas. So if you are taking advantage of this type of hair treatment, then there are chances that you can get rid of your hair within few minutes. These treatments are also effective to be carried out on different skin tones and also offer you with best penetration rates. There are different types of devises that are available in the present market. In case you have a dark skin tone, then there are chances that you might have to spend more money to get rid of unwanted hair. These treatments are designed such that patients might feel burning sensation and this might last for around five or six sessions. The benefit of using this treatment is that it offers you with long term treatment against unwanted hair. Initially the treated area might also appear to be swollen but the condition is rectified after a few days. So, if you are looking for permanent hair removal treatment, then laser hair removal system is one of the best alternatives available for anyone.

How does laser hair removal system works?

Lasers deliver an intense beam of light which are made up of a single wavelength or colour. Skin is essentially transparent to light in the wavelength range of 600 – 1100nm (nano meters), while melanin containing structures will absorb laser energy of this wavelength. It is therefore possible to target the hair follicle which has a concentration of melanin without affecting the surrounding area.

The light energy absorbed by the melanin pigment results in the rapid heating up of the hair follicle. This heat destroys the cells (papilla) responsible for hair growth. If adequate heating is achieved, then the follicle is permanently disabled resulting in a permanent reduction in hair growth.

Melanin in the epidermis also absorbs the energy and limits the depth of penetration of the laser light into the skin. Using a light wavelength of 808nm enables treatment of relatively dark skin as well as fair-skinned types. However, laser hair treatment is not suitable for Afro Caribbean or black skin complexions. Laser treatment is also ineffective in removal of white or grey hair. Electrolysis should be considered as an alternative treatment.