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Laser Hair Reduction
Aka: Laser Hair Reduction, Laser Hair Removal, Photoepilation
- See Also
- Hair Removal Technique
- Laser Skin Procedure
- Skin Cosmetic Procedure
- Laser Photorejuvenation
- Indications
- Hirsutism
- Menopause: Chin, upper lip, anterior neck
- Men: Back, Shoulders
- Mechanism
- Selective photothermolysis targets Melanin chromophore (light absorbing pigment) in Hair Bulb
- Blonde hair, red hair and gray hair do not have significant chromophore pigment
- Dosing
- Six treatment course with one month between each treatment
- Efficacy
- Longterm reduction in Hair Growth by more than 50%
- Works best with dark hair on light skin
- Advantages
- Faster and less painful than other hair reduction methods
- Disadvantages
- Burn Injury risk
- Laser procedures incorporating internal cooling are the safest options
- Laser tip Temperature is maintained a constant cooler Temperature throughout procedure
- Expect localized swelling and redness in the first 24 hours
- Discomfort may occur with the procedure
- Minimally effective for light colored hair
- Ineffective for gray hair
- Hypopigmentation, Hyperpigmentation and scarring risk (especially in darker skinned patients)
- Management
- Various light sources are used: Laser and Intense Pulsed Light (Photoepilation)
- Pulsed diode laser (least expensive, most reliable)
- YAG laser (best on dark skin, but short term effect)
- References
- Small (2009) Am Fam Physician 80(11): 1231-8 [PubMed]