Laser Hair Removal

Dr. Park’s Approach:

“We have used lasers for many years to remove unwanted hair. Often hair in different areas can be removed with a series of treatments with the appropriate laser. Common areas for treatment are the upper lip, between the brows, the armpits, legs, bikini area and for men, the back and beard areas. Ideal candidates have darker hair and lighter skin but we have added a new laser which is safe for those with darker skin. There is no real downtime and the results can be impressive.”

Laser Hair Reduction

If you’re not happy with shaving, tweezing or waxing to remove unwanted hair, Laser Hair Reduction may be an option worth considering. It is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the U.S.  It beams highly concentrated light into hair follicles. Pigment in the follicles absorb the light and that destroys the hair. Lasers are useful for removing unwanted hair from the face, leg, arm, underarm, bikini line and other areas.

Benefits of Laser Hair Reduction

Precision:  Lasers can selectively target dark, coarse hairs, while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.

Speed:  Each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time. The laser can treat an area approximately the size of a quarter every second.  Small areas such as the upper lip can be treated in less than a minute, and large areas, such as the back or legs, may take up to an hour.

Predictability:  Most patients have permanent hair loss after an average of three to seven sessions.

How to Prepare for Laser Hair Reduction

If you are planning on undergoing laser hair removal, you should limit plucking, waxing, and electrolysis for six weeks before treatment.  That’s because the laser targets the hairs’ roots, which are temporarily removed by waxing or plucking.

You should also avoid sun exposure for six weeks before and after treatment.  Sun exposure makes the procedure less effective and complications after treatment more likely.

What to Expect During Laser Hair Reduction

Just before the procedure, your hair that will be undergoing treatment will be trimmed to a few millimeters above the skin surface. The laser equipment will be adjusted according to the color, thickness and location of your hair being treated, as well as your skin color.