Keratosis pilaris is a skin condition characterized by patches of bumpy, rough skin. Some people can clear away these bumps through various treatments including topical medications and plucking stray hairs.
Others may opt to try laser hair removal treatment as a solution, hoping it will eliminate their KP patches. But does it really work?
1. It destroys the hair follicles
Follicles destroyed by laser treatments are no longer capable of growing hair; however, this does not indicate a permanent cessation of growth; instead they enter a resting stage known as telogen in which their roots become detached from dermal papilla and no longer receive nutrition from dermal papilla; this period can last a few days to years before returning back into anagen (growth phase), necessitating further laser treatments as it takes some time before they transition back. To combat this phase in its entirety it requires multiple laser treatments over time as this phase can lasts before going back into anagen (growth phase), necessitates repeated treatments, along with laser treatments performed using high frequency laser laser light treatments as necessary.
Laser treatments must target pigment molecules within hair follicles in order for them to work effectively, as this allows the laser light to absorb into the follicle and kill its hair follicles. Furthermore, treatment must be administered by a certified technician familiar with how best to utilize your individual skin type and hair color preferences – such as spot size of laser beam and fluence (energy density) settings of laser light; larger spot sizes allow lasers to reach deeper into skin layers to destroy more follicles while fluence gives heat energy that kills all remaining hair follicles while fluence gives needed heat energy density for full-on kill and prevention of future hair growth.
Laser hair removal can be an effective solution to eliminate the bumps of keratosis pilaris and diminish their appearance on your arms, legs, face, buttocks or neck. Multiple sessions at four- to six-week intervals are typically advised; however some individuals experience instant results with no further need for treatments.
Over time, some of your hairs may begin to fall out; this is part of the healing process and should be expected. Regrowth may occur several weeks post laser treatments; don’t worry though as any new growth should be thinner and lighter in color than its original source.
Laser hair removal can be expensive, but often worth the investment for those suffering from conditions like keratosis pilaris. Furthermore, it has also proven popular with people wanting to reduce unwanted body hair in an effort to look younger or lose weight by eliminating unwanted fuzz. Furthermore, this non-invasive solution does not cause pain – providing another great way to enhance one’s appearance!
2. It reduces the size of the hair follicles
KP is caused when keratin, the fibrous structural protein responsible for hair and nails, plugs the opening of your hair follicle. Over time keratin builds up, particularly if you have dry skin, thickening and hardening as it thickens, leading to your hair follicles being unable to produce new hair growth and leaving skin rough and irritated.
Laser hair removal is an efficient and cost-effective solution to remove KP and keep it away. It works by targeting individual follicles with high intensity laser beams that target them directly, heating and destroying them while at the same time helping reduce bump formation. As well as laser treatment, other ways exist for dealing with KP, including taking prescription medicines derived from Vitamin A to increase skin cell turnover faster, thus avoiding build-up that leads to bump formation; or trying out chemical peels using strong acids which exfoliate dead cells which may be blocking hair follicles from growing through.
Laser treatment options used to remove KP can have a dramatic impact on how long its effects will remain effective. An 810nm diode laser has proven itself effective at improving skin texture and reducing erythema; however, it has yet to prove successful at eliminating perifollicular erythema that often accompany upper arm cherry hemangiomas associated with KP.
Considerations when it comes to laser treatment include your skin color and location of hair follicles; specifically vellus hair follicles tend to regrow less after laser therapy than terminal (or adult) ones; pigment contrast between follicle and surrounding skin helps the laser target and destroy its target more easily.
To maximize the longevity of laser hair removal treatments, it is wise to avoid sunbathing or using any sunless tanning products prior to receiving treatment. Also, shaving the treatment area prior to appointment makes shaved hair harder for lasers to detect and target; finally, waxing, plucking or electrolysis treatments may disturb hair follicles which could result in them growing back in unwanted locations.
3. It reduces the number of hair follicles
Laser hair removal may not be permanent, but it can significantly slow hair growth over a prolonged period. When hair does reappear it may be lighter in color and texture making it less noticeable than its original self. Some individuals even don’t experience any further hair regrowth at all!
Laser hair removal works simply: melanin in your hair follicles and skin cells absorb light, turning it into heat that damages hair follicle compartments to stop further hair growth. Unlike some other laser treatments, it doesn’t damage surrounding tissues or cause redness – an added advantage over some others!
This treatment can be effective, though it typically requires multiple sessions to see results. Your individual treatment schedule will depend on your skin tone and hair color; additionally, it’s essential to refrain from scrubbing, rubbing or plucking hair in between treatments as these actions could potentially disrupt the healing process and stop new hair follicles from emerging correctly.
Stay away from activities that increase sweating, such as hot showers and vigorous exercise. Doing this can help avoid excess sweating that leads to dirt build-up in your pores and contributes to KP. Likewise, make an effort not to get sun tan before or after laser treatments; doing this will protect against UV rays which cause skin damage, pigmentation issues and KP.
22 patients who had KP on their arms participated in four laser hair removal sessions using a 755 nm alexandrite laser and saw marked improvement in skin roughness as well as papule clearance, according to results of this study.
Study results revealed that laser hair removal did not target all follicles. Some were still in catagen or telogen phases where their hairs are resting and therefore cannot absorb light energy from laser. But other means such as plucking or shaving still manage to damage them; researchers believe combining several techniques, including electrolysis and needle epilation would yield better results.
4. It reduces the appearance of the bumps
Spring Street Dermatology patients typically come to us because of bumps caused by Keratosis Pilaris (KP). These red ‘dots’ on their skin result from hair follicles being blocked off, making the surface feel rough and dry; although not harmful or itchy, many dislike their look; which can create self-consciousness particularly among those wearing short sleeved tops or skirts during warmer weather months.
Laser hair removal is an efficient and safe solution to eliminating these annoying bumps, while also helping prevent their reappearance in the future. The treatment works by injecting light energy directly into the skin to destroy hair follicles and stop their ability to produce further hair growth, while simultaneously heating its surface to smooth out texture and tone of skin surface and reduce bump appearance.
Laser hair removal offers another distinct advantage by eliminating the need for shaving or waxing, saving both time and money. On average, women spend over 1,700 hours annually shaving their legs; using laser hair removal could cut this time down significantly to just minutes per year!
Heat from lasers can also boost collagen production, improving skin elasticity and tightening pores to reduce blockages and fine lines around mouth, eyes, and neck areas. Furthermore, hair growth decreases to help eliminate unwanted body hair such as ingrowns and unwanted body hair growth.
Laser treatments will cause hair follicles to grow more slowly, helping reduce the appearance of keratosis pilaris bumps. Multiple sessions may be required before reaching desired results.
Laser hair removal offers a permanent solution for unwanted body hair, eliminating the need for shaving, waxing and plucking. Furthermore, it may help alleviate other related skin conditions like folliculitis and discoloration as well as boost confidence and self-esteem.
