Hirsutism, often caused by hormonal imbalance, causes unwanted hair growth in areas it should not. Treatment options for Hirsutism range from medication and surgery to laser hair removal for cosmetic relief.
Doctors use hand-held laser instruments, combined with cooling devices or gel, to protect skin from side effects.
It’s a cosmetic procedure
An abundance of hair growth can be difficult for women to manage. Traditional treatments like shaving, plucking and waxing have proven painful and expensive; therefore, laser hair removal provides an alternative that’s safer, quicker and cheaper – offering treatments to both men and women on various parts of the body such as their faces or backs.
Before undertaking laser treatment, it is advisable to consult a doctor. They will review your medical history and perform a physical exam in order to ascertain if you are suitable for the procedure. They should also discuss what results may be expected during your consultation session and any potential questions or concerns should be raised during it. When selecting your provider make sure they are board-certified in either dermatology or cosmetic surgery – avoid spas or salons which use non-physician assistants instead of physicians as providers of treatment.
Laser hair removal is typically quick and painless. Your practitioner will press a hand-held laser instrument against your skin while protecting its outer layers with cooling gel or cooling devices; once penetrated into your skin and the follicles destroyed by laser light. While you might experience some minor discomfort similar to pinprick sensation, monitoring will continue for some time to ensure that all settings are accurate and there are no adverse side effects.
Dependent upon the area in which your hair growth occurs, multiple treatments may be necessary to achieve desired results. You should expect a reduction in density by up to 70% with results lasting at least one year with regular maintenance required afterward. It is also essential that sun exposure be limited before and after treatments; for best results use broad spectrum SPF30 sunscreen instead of tanning beds and seek advice from your physician regarding sun protection measures before beginning therapy.
Laser hair removal is generally safe for most individuals; however, it should be disclosed to your practitioner prior to beginning. He or she may suggest alternative options that are suitable if pregnant or breastfeeding is an issue for you.
It’s safe
Laser hair removal is generally considered safe cosmetic procedure, provided you abide by certain guidelines and steer clear of treatments which might interfere with results. Avoid sun exposure and tanning before your appointment as well. Once in session, the practitioner will press a handheld device against your skin and trigger a laser that feels similar to an elastic band snapping on it for up to an hour, depending on which area needs treating. In addition to discomfort you may also experience mild irritation or swelling; using ice packs may help mitigate some effects; for best results use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher rating over all treated areas.
Laser treatment works to permanently reduce hair by targeting its melanin pigment, meaning light hairs such as gray and blonde hues are ineligible for removal by laser treatment, while dark tones respond more readily. Furthermore, heat damage caused by laser light reduces production in hair follicles, leading to permanent hair reduction after multiple treatment sessions.
Women experiencing excessive hair growth should visit their physician to identify if the cause lies with hormonal abnormalities or if their hair is thick or coarse. A medical examination can also reveal this information, and should the issue stem from hormonal fluctuations then medications will likely be prescribed to address them.
Laser hair removal offers numerous advantages over conventional methods for removing hair, such as shaving, waxing and plucking. Not only can it save both time and money spent on these procedures; it can also significantly reduce their associated irritation levels. Furthermore, treatment can be carried out anywhere on the body including facial hair removal which is notoriously difficult using traditional means.
A successful method for eliminating unwanted hair is scheduling regular treatments at regular intervals, typically every month, until significant hair reduction has occurred. Regrowth may occur between treatments; however, usually lighter and less noticeable than before.
It’s effective
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective solution for hirsutism, working by targeting melanin in hair follicles with light energy. This light energy then converts to heat energy which destroys the follicle, thus stopping its growth. Furthermore, this method is less painful than waxing or tweezing while being much quicker. However, prior to performing the procedure a physician must review your medical history to ascertain its suitability – certain medications, skin conditions or previous laser treatments could increase risk.
Before beginning the procedure, your provider will apply a topical numbing cream to your skin’s surface and use glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from laser light emitted by the laser. They then press a handheld device against your skin to activate the laser which may resemble rubber band snapping against it – though the entire procedure could last from minutes to over an hour.
At your session, a doctor will customize the laser settings to best match your skin color and hair type, such as spot size and fluence settings. Spot size determines how far into the dermis the laser penetrates while fluence sets how much energy is deposited per follicle; lower power settings are appropriate for lighter hair while higher power settings should be utilized when treating thicker and darker strands.
After treatment, the area may appear red and swollen; applying a cold compress may help decrease swelling. You should also try not to expose treated skin to natural or artificial sunlight until its recovery has completed. If necessary, make sure you use sunscreen.
Hair removal requires multiple sessions due to some hairs resting, and only those in an active growth cycle responding to laser treatment. On average, people typically require around eight treatments in order to see results.
Laser treatment may not be appropriate for pregnant women or individuals who have had previous herpes simplex virus outbreaks at the site of hair growth, as well as anyone taking blood-thinner medications.
It’s affordable
Laser hair removal is an efficient, safe, and long-term cosmetic treatment option for hirsutism. It provides an alternative to more permanent forms of hair removal such as shaving, waxing and plucking which often only provide temporary solutions. Laser can help to ease anxiety caused by unwanted body hair growth as well as improve self-confidence levels.
Before considering laser treatment for hirsutism, it’s wise to consult a board-certified dermatologist. A physician will determine whether you are suitable for this procedure by reviewing your medical history to make sure there are no medication causing side effects and also by reviewing both skin color and hair color to make sure laser is safe for you.
Tannin should be avoided before and after laser treatments to maximize results. Shave two days prior to your session so the laser light energy can absorb by the melanin in your hair and generate heat that destroys its follicle, leading to hair fall-out followed by new growth in its place. Treatment sessions should take place 4-6 weeks apart in order to capture all hair in its anagen phase for effective targeting by laser.
Hirsutism is an unfortunately prevalent condition, but can have profoundly detrimental effects on an individual’s self-image and quality of life. Many patients find that laser hair removal provides relief in terms of health, comfort and confidence – making this cost-effective solution suitable for use on any area of their bodies.
Laser hair removal can be a straightforward procedure, but selecting an experienced practitioner with experience treating people with darker skin tones is essential to its success. Light energy from lasers may absorb into darker pigment in your skin and make detecting and treating hair follicles difficult; also an unqualified technician could cause burns or blisters if they lack sufficient skill. Also be aware that prices have likely increased since last year due to inflation.
