using laser as hair removal

Laser and light-based methods, sometimes called phototricholysis or photoepilation, are now most commonly referred to collectively as "laser hair removal". One of the first published articles describing laser hair removal was authored by the group at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1998. The primary principle behind laser hair removal is selective photothermolysis. Lasers can cause localized damage by selectively heating dark target matter in the area that causes hair growth while not heating the rest of the skin. Light is absorbed by dark objects, so laser energy can be absorbed by dark material in the skin (but with much more speed and intensity).
Hair removal lasers have been in use since 1997 and the Food and Drug Administration approved it for “permanent hair reduction.” Laser hair removal has become extremely popular because of its speed and efficacy, although some of the efficacy is dependent upon the skill and experience of the laser operator, and the choice and availability of different laser technology at the clinic which is performing the procedure. Some will need touch-up treatments, especially on large areas, after the initial set of 3-8 treatments. Several wavelengths of laser energy have been used for hair removal, from visible light to near-infrared radiation. The parameter of laser are: · Argon: 488 or 514.5 nm (not used for hair removal anymore) · Ruby: 694 nm (not used for hair removal anymore; not safe on most skin types) · Alexandrite: 755 nm (most effective, but safest on light skin) · Pulsed diode array: 810 nm (for light to medium type skin) · Nd:YAG: 1064 nm (for darker skin) Spot size, or the width of the laser beam, affects treatment. Theoretically, the width of the ideal beam is about four times as wide as the target is deep. Hair removal lasers have a round spot about the size of your finger (8-18 mm). Larger spot sizes help make treatments faster and more effective. The number of sessions depends on various parameters, including the area of the body treated, skin color, coarseness of hair, and gender. In addition, since hair grows in several phases and laser can only affect the currently actively growing follicles, several sessions are needed to kill hair in all phases of growth. Usually, treatments are spaced 3-12 weeks apart to start, although the spacing depends upon individual response to treatment. Treatment spacing also depends on area treated as hair cycles vary based on the body part. For example, women’s faces usually require more frequent treatments, whereas backs and legs require less frequent treatments. The costs of laser hair removal vary by U.S. region, and by surface area and location treated. Laser hair removal should be used cautiously, if at all, by patients in the following categories: Recently acquired dark tan; fine, light hair in people of color; blonde or red hair in areas with tan skin; patients who cannot afford or do not have the time for multiple sessions, because one treatment is rarely adequate.

Relative contraindications

Laser hair removal should be used cautiously, if at all, by patients in the following categories: Recently acquired dark tan; fine, light hair in people of color; blonde or red hair in areas with tan skin; patients who cannot afford or do not have the time for multiple sessions, because one treatment is rarely adequate.

Risks

The use of large quantities of high potency topical anesthetics to large surface areas of the skin, particularly when applied under occlusion, such as under plastic wrap, may result in lidocaine toxicity and resulting arrhythmias, and is contraindicated. According to published reports, two women completely coated their legs in topical anesthetic cream while at home and then suffered a toxic reaction on their way to the laser clinics, which led to coma and then death.Risks include the chance of burning the skin or discoloring dark skin with the laser, hypopigmentation (white spots), and flare of acne. Some point to the lack of proper government regulations in many countries as meaning that patients are at risk of being treated by improperly trained staff.