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Laser Hair Removal requires exacting science, individual attention, experience, and a trained, professional staff.
Our Laser Hair Removal for men and women is hospital based, performed only by registered nurses, FDA approved, and private.
Call Reedsburg Area Medicical Specialty Center to make an appointment - 768-3901.
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If you’re tired of shaving, waxing or plucking body hair only to have it return days later, you may be interested in laser hair removal. We are pleased to offer the Light-Sheer Diode Laser, the latest technology for removal of unwanted hair. Laser hair removal systems use laser light—an intense, pulsing beam of light—to remove unwanted hair.
Whether it’s on your face, arms, legs or other areas, laser hair removal may be an option if you seek long-term results.
Who is a candidate for laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is used for people who want to remove unwanted body hair. Common treatment locations include legs, armpits, upper lip, chin and bikini line. Although laser hair removal doesn’t guarantee permanent hair removal, it does extend the “hair-free” period, which can vary from several months to several years. With multiple treatments, long-term hair removal is possible.
Hair color and skin type are the key factors that influence the success of laser hair removal. It’s most successful on people with dark hair (brown or black) and light skin. It can also be used on people with darker skin types, but results are slower and more sessions are required. Blond and red hair is very difficult to treat. Multiple treatment sessions are required and results are variable.
You would not be eligible for laser hair removal if: the skin area is covered by a tatoo, severe acne is in the skin area, you are pregnant. Laser hair removal will not be used for hair immediately around the eyebrow and eye area. Diabetics will need a written clearance from their physician.
How do you prepare for laser hair removal?
Informational forms and a questionnaire will be mailed to you after you make your appointment. Call the Specialty Center and speak to a laser hair removal consultant if you have any questions.
If you have a tan from sun exposure or sunless tanning products, you must wait until the tan fades completely before undergoing laser hair removal. A tan increases your risk of side effects such as blistering and discoloration. Avoid sun exposure four to six weeks before treatment.
Laser hair removal is effective only on short, visible hair. Five to seven days before the procedure, you shave the area to be treated, and allow it to grow to a stubble. Avoid waxing or plucking the hair and electrolysis four to six weeks before treatment.
How does laser hair removal work?
During the procedure, your nurse presses a hand-held laser instrument to your skin. A cooling device on the tip of the laser is used to protect the skin.
When the nurse activates the laser, the laser light passes through your skin’s surface to tiny sacs (hair follicles) where hair growth originates. The intense heat damages the hair follicle, which inhibits hair growth. Since hair grows in cycles, not all of the hairs are present at any given time, therefore everyone will need more than one treatment. Up to 75% of our hair follicles are dormant at any one time and the laser can only treat hair follicles that are in the active phase.
What can you expect during laser hair removal?
During the procedure you wear goggles to prevent accidental exposure of your eyes to laser light. When the laser is activated, you feel a stinging sensation. The procedure causes a slight charring of stubble. You may notice an odor of singed hair, which is normal.
How long the procedure takes depends on the area of the body involved. A small area such as the upper lip may take several minutes. A larger area such as the back may require an hour or more.
What can you expect after laser hair removal?
After the laser hair removal, no medication or bandages are necessary. You may notice some redness and swelling for the first few hours. Also, stinging may occur for the first 24 to 48 hours. Some people experience a slight crusting of the skin. If crusting occurs, keep the area moist with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or aloe cream.
After treatment:
• Avoid exposure to the sun for several weeks after treatment. After this period, make sure you apply sunscreen whenever you are in the sun. Avoid tanning booths—the ultraviolet light damages the skin.
• Don’t wax or pluck hairs between treatments.
• Don’t pick at or manipulate the skin in treated areas.
• Don’t rub or scrub the treated area. You may gently wash the area with soap and water.
What are the results of laser hair removal?
Studies show that for suitable candidates, hair removal lasers can reduce hair counts by 40 to 80 percent. Results vary from person to person, however, and some people respond better to treatment than others.
Multiple treatments can prolong the duration of hair loss, but hair regrowth is possible. Also, as you age, unwanted hair growth inevitably continues, and you may need treatments in the future.
What are the risks of laser hair removal?
Complications from laser hair removal are rare. Bleeding during the laser treatment is extremely rare, as is the possibility of infection resulting from treatment.
Side effects from laser hair removal include, but are not limited to:
• Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation). This is usually a temporary condition, but in rare instances, is long lasting or permanent.
• Lightening of the skin (hypopigmentation). This is of special concern with people who have darker skin. Laser hair treatment is more successful on fair skin, but darker skin can also be treated.
• Blistering and scarring. These rarely occur.
• Changes in the skin texture. These rarely occur.
• Crusting or scabbing. If this occurs, it’s temporary.
• Hair changes. New hair growth may be finer and lighter in color. In some cases, new hair may grow in areas adjacent to the treated areas. This can be successfully treated with additional laser treatments.
Talk to your nurse about how these risks apply to you. Understanding what’s involved in laser hair removal and weighing the benefits and risks can help you decide if this procedure is your best option for long-term hair removal.
Call Reedsburg Area Medical Specialty Center to make an appointment!
768-3901