Excess hair on the face and body is an issue for millions of Americans. Hair grows all over the skin as a natural protective mechanism. However, excessive hair growth causes appearance issues for both men and women. Hirsutism is a condition with excessive hair growth on areas of the body such as the face and chest. Though it occurs in women 90 percent of the time, men can also be affected to it. This leads many to seek laser treatments to address excess hair removal.
Although many people are interested restoring hair growth on the scalp, excess and unwanted body hair is unappealing to our physical appearance. But the process of removing will not only require time, but can also be aggravating when it comes to using methods like waxing, plucking, shaving and electrolysis. However, many of these issues can be resolved with laser hair removal.
Laser treatments help both men and women with excess hair removal over the entire body. Some people naturally have darker, thicker hair in “normal” places than others. The most common problem areas include:
- Face
- Neck
- Arms
- Chest
- Legs
HIRSUTISM CAUSATION FACTORS
While you have vellus hair, commonly known as “peach fuzz” over your entire body, the appearance of excess hair is due to terminal, axillary or androgenic hair. Vellus hair grows all over the body as a natural protective mechanism to the skin. Darker, thicker hair in certain normal areas is known as either terminal hair or axillary hair dependent on the exact location.
Androgenic hair is also known as body hair that develops in both men and women in thicker consistency during puberty. It also appears in specific areas dependent upon sex. Androgenic hair is directly rated to androgen levels, which are male hormones found in both sexes. Since men have high androgen levels than women, specifically testosterone, they also have more androgenic hair than women and in more places. Hypertrichosis (also called Ambras syndrome) is excessive hair growth over the entire body that affects both men and women.
Hirsutism commonly results in women from both excessively high levels of androgens or a hypersensitivity to androgens. Causation factors include:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (the most common causation factor)
- Cushing’s disease
- Excessive growth hormone
- Congenial adrenal hyperplasia
- Tumors in the ovaries
- Insulin resistance
- Obesity
- Specific medications
EXCESS HAIR REMOVAL WITH LASER TREATMENTS
cycles of hair growth. Laser treatments will cause the follicles to enter the telogen phase
Benefits of laser hair removal include:
- Predictability
- Precision
- Speed
The excess hair removal laser treatment is safe on all skin types. Candela’s patented cryogen cooling system on the GentleYAG also offers you comfort and safety during laser hair removal treatments.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Hair removal through the use of lasers requires a process known as selective photo thermolysis (SPTL). This involves the targeting of a very specific area or structure without harming the surrounding tissue area. In order for this mechanism of action to be successful, certain conditions must be met.
- use of an appropriate wavelength
- right colored hair
In order for laser energy to precisely reach its destination, it must be absorbed by a chosen substance (natural or even man made) known as a chromophore. Within the context of hair removal, dark melanin which colors the hair shaft is what is needed to absorb the laser photon. This is how the energy enters the follicle.
The hair follicle is then permanently damaged through an inflammatory reaction and causes it to enter the telogen resting phase. These tiny growth structures are no longer able to produce new hair strands.
There are essentially two types of melanin:
- eumelanin which creates brown or black hair
- pheomelanin which produces blond or reddish hair color shades
Since laser wavelengths are more easily absorbed by darker colors, hair removal procedures are only recommended for dark brown or black body hair.
The FDA defines the outcome of laser hair removal as a permanent reduction in the number of hairs on the skin. It’s important to realize that individual hair follicles have their own cycles independent of the others. Therefore, some hairs will be in the growth phase (anagen), others will be in a transitional phase (catagen), while the rest are in telogen (resting) phase.
Each session will treat existing, visible growing hairs, as opposed to those in the resting phase. Thus laser treatments are not able to prevent new hair from growing.
In order to get rid of all hair in a desired area, it is likely that several sessions will be needed.
What Is the Gentle YAG laser?
The Gentle YAG laser uses the 1064nm wavelength to affect hair follicles. This energy is safe for patients of all ethnicities including:
1) Hispanic
2) African American
3) Asian
4) Indian
5) Middle Eastern
6) Caucasion
Many types of laser energy are absorbed very easily by the skin’s melanin. Those with darker skin (more melanin) are at risk for overheating and scarring.
The 1064 wavelength is a much safer choice because it will only treat the intended hair follicles without affecting the surrounding regions of the skin.
The Gentle YAG is able to offer laser hair removal for fine and thick hairs in areas such as:
1) face
2) back
3) arms
4) legs
5) bikini areas
6) underarms
Furthermore, the Gentle YAG laser system includes a cooling hand piece. This helps to dissipate the sensation of intense head to maximum patient comfort. And the cooling effect also helps to avoid adverse skin reactions.
Laser hair removal procedures can be performed just about anywhere on the body*
Why Choose Laser Hair Removal Over Electrolysis?
Although electrolysis will result in the permanent removal of hair, it is very time consuming and painful. Laser hair removal offers fast and comfortable procedures.
In particular, it is a much better alternative to electrolysis for getting rid of hair on a large area of skin such as the chest or back
Laser Hair Removal Services For Los Angeles Patients
If you are interested in removing unwanted hair with laser, take the next step by signing up for a free consultation at Fine Touch Dermatology. You will be able to speak to a dermatologist about your questions and concerns. And you will be able to learn what a procedure will entail for your own specific needs. Contact us by filling out the online form at the top of the page. Or call us at 877-337-6424