Unwanted Hair To Laser or Not to Laser?

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Unwanted Hair: To Laser or Not to Laser?
Reprinted From The Union, Grass Valley, California

A New Alternative Beyond Electrolysis
By Robert M Peppercorn, M.D. and others

"Doctor, can you help me get rid of this ugly facial hair?" is one of the most common cosmetic questions asked of a dermatologist during a routine consultation. The typical answers have been, "Have you tried waxing, shaving, chemical depilatories, or perhaps electrolysis?" Unfortunately, these are not the answers that most women have been looking for during their search for smoother skin.

The mainstay of hair removal has been electrolysis since the early 1900's. This electric needle method utilizes a microscopic probe that enters the hair follicle, the natural pores in the skin. With the use of milli-amps of electricity, local thermal destruction of the follicles occurs. Repeated treatments are usually needed with this method to eventually destroy the hair root. Electrolysis can be very effective and sometime permanent after repeat sessions. It can be costly and time-consuming if your hair is stubborn and the area to be treated is larger than a silver dollar. Expect 15-30 minute sessions once to twice weekly for the next 10-16 weeks to remove the unwanted hair on the average female upper lip. Even with the newest topical anesthetics on the market this is the most sensitive area of the face, causing much discomfort to most clients. Disposable probes for each client are used today, eliminating the risk of spreading an infection.

Many experts rate the efficacy of electrolysis at up to 50 percent hair loss for each area treated. However, no one knows the exact conditions that affect the efficacy such as age, sex, anatomic sit, depth of hair, hormones, and cycle of hair growth. When performed correctly by an expert, it is safe and relatively risk free. Mild redness or bruising is not unusual after a treatment with the electric needle. Dermatologists are often consulted to help with the problems caused when an inexperienced person performs the electrolysis. Poor electrolysis technique can result in permanent pitted scars that cannot be removed.

During the past year, more than 1,000 offices in the United States have begun to offer the newest innovation in hair removal as the laser enters the hair removal arena. Laser hair removal offers the client eradication of body hair without the hassle of other methods. The wonderful aspect of the laser is that it has been designed to be extremely safe in the hands of the right technician. Simply stated, a laser creates light, light makes heat, and heat destroys the hair root leaving behind a satisfied customer. There should be no damage to the skin itself. Laser hair removal is nothing like laser wrinkle removal.

Immediate gratification is a necessity for most people in today's fast tracked world. Laser hair removal can provide that and more. It provides an extremely fast treatment time with very little, if any, discomfort. It provides long-lasting effects but it not permanent. In fact the FDA does not allow the use of the word, permanent, in the sale of these laser devices when they are marketed to doctors. How long hair removal lasts depends on the patient and the type of laser. Some people have about 40 percent less hair six months after just one session. But with other people, the hair returns within six months. According to studies, most people who have a series of treatments (typically two to four) come away with skin that stays virtually hairless for three to six months or more. When the hair grows back, it tends to be fine and sparse. How long it may take for hair to return to its original density and texture - or whether it will at all - no one knows.

The average patient needs a repeat treatment every three months. Hair grows in 8-12 week cycles, so the hair removed today may not be visible for 8-12 weeks if removed as far down as the papilla or hair root. All hair removal lasers on the market today recommend a series of two to four treatments to the desired area over a period of approximately six to twelve months.

A variety of lasers are now used to treat unwanted hair. These include the ruby, alexandrite, diode, yag, and filtered-light lasers. (The filtered-light device is not a true laser.) Darker hair responds best. However, we have success on all skin types and all hair colors with the yag and alexandrite lasers.

You need to know the type of laser to be used since types such as the ruby can cause significant skin lightening and even burn dark skin clients. Treatment with a ruby or similar laser can be very uncomfortable. Fortunately, the yag laser does not have any of these complications and no pain medications are needed.

When making the decision to have laser hair removal, one must weigh the risks versus the benefits. Let's compare laser hair removal with electrolysis. Electrolysis does have a risk of scarring and requires multiple repeated treatments that are often painful and time-consuming. Laser hair removal, on the other hand, when done with the yag or alexandrite laser, has almost no risk of side effects and is considered pain-free . Laser hair removal requires fewer treatments than elctrolysis but cannot be considered to be permanent.

The main benefit of electrolysis is that repeated treatments can result in permanent hair removal at a relatively low cost. Laser hair removal is more expensive but large areas can be treated extremely fast - treating the upper lip takes only a few minutes. Prices for laser hair removal vary by the type of laser and the size of the area treated.

About the authors:
Dr. Robert Peppercorn is the Medical Director of the Advanced Skin & Allergy Medical Group associated with Dr. Foy Cox. He trained at Harvard College, Johns Hopkins Medical School, and Stanford Medical School. As a board-certified dermatologist, he has more than 17 years of laser experience and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.