Laser Hair Removal
Permanently removing unwanted hair can enhance both your appearance and your self-esteem. If you are a woman, dark or coarse hair on your face, neck, abdomen, breasts or arms can be an embarassment. For men, hair on your back, shoulders, around your ears or between your eyebrows is just plain bothersome. These are just a few of the skin problems that may be improved by laser hair removal.
Shaving, waxing, and electrolysis have been the methods most widely used for hair removal. However they are slow, painful and not permanent. The use of laser light has become more and more popular as the most effective way to provide a permanent reduction of the hair follicles.
Benefits include:
- A non-invasive, gentle technique that eliminates undesirable hair from all parts of the body.
- Leaves skin looking smoother and silkier.
- Treats larger areas effectively because it removes more than one hair at a time.
- Minimal discomfort.
- Immediate return to normal activities.
Dr. Lopes uses the latest technologically advanced ClearScan ™ Laser from Sciton to remove unwanted hair. This procedure can now be done on all skin types, even suntanned skin. The process takes from several minutes to several hours, depending on the area of the body involved. Laser hair removal uses a low-energy laser. The laser energy passes through your skin, being absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle. A percentage of the follicles are instantaneously and permanently disabled with each treatment. In most cases, no anesthesia is necessary.
Post-operative Procedures & Recovery
Dr. Lopes will discuss with you if you need any topical anesthetic. A cooling plate will be placed over the area to be treated. The laser light will then be scanned over the area. Keep in mind treatment times vary depending upon the area to be treated.
Some redness and slight swelling may be present, however this should subside within a few hours.
You will need to be treated approximately five times with 5-8 weeks between treatments. This is because there are three phases of hair growth - Anagen, Catagen and Telogen. Only the hairs in the growth phase, Anagen, can be successfully treated.
New Procedural Video
Click on the photo box below to view this informative, procedural presentation including an introduction, an overview with illustrations indicating incisions and how the procedure is performed, how best to prepare and what to to expect, and how to take care of yourself after the procedure.
Requires Adobe Flash Player to view. Download Flash here.
Call our office today at (757) 497-5400 for more information or to schedule your consultation with Dr. JoAnne Lopes.
Information provided by The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
