LASER HAIR REMOVAL: LUMENIS ONE WITH LIGHTSHEER

Backed by long-term clinical data, the LightSheer system has the ability to permanently reduce hair growth and treat the entire range of skin colors and hair types, satisfying thousands of patients worldwide. The ChillTip handpiece provides the ultimate in skin contact cooling and compression, increasing penetration of laser energy to the base of the follicle. LightSheer system’s efficiency and excellent clinical results are why Dermatology of Seattle has chosen this laser to treat our patients.

The treatment is performed using the latest laser technology to remove hair with a minimum of pain, inconvenience and side effects. The laser emits a powerful beam of invisible light which passes harmlessly through the skin, but is absorbed by the hair follicle. By selectively absorbing the laser energy, the hair follicles are disabled, impairing their ability to grow hair. The key to the effectiveness of the laser is the principle of Selective Photothermolysis. By properly adjusting the pulsewidth (the amount of time the laser is on) the laser light is able to pass - unaffected -- through the thin layer of skin pigment and reach the deep hair follicle. At the follicle level, the laser energy is absorbed and transformed into heat that disables the follicle. As a result, hair growth is impaired without affecting the surrounding tissue.

Is it Safe?

Laser hair removal technology was developed in conjunction with some of the world's leading authorities on the use of lasers for medical applications. By using the principle of Selective Photothermolysis, the laser "parameters" (guidelines for effective use of the laser during treatment) were chosen to match the pulsewidth to the size and location of the hair follicle. The result is a safer, faster and more effective way to eliminate unwanted hair.

What are the traditional methods for hair removal?

Until now, electrolysis has provided the only long term method for the elimination of unwanted hair. During electrolysis, a needle is inserted into each hair follicle. Removing one hair at a time, this process is tedious. It can take months or years of treatments to achieve a satisfactory result. The effectiveness is also dependent on the skill of the electrologist. Less permanent methods include shaving, plucking and waxing. Shaving is the most common method of hair removal. Virtually everyone owns a razor, but shaving only lasts a few days and requires a constant commitment to maintain a hair-free appearance. Plucking leads to a more attractive and longer lasting result than shaving, but is quite painful. Except for small areas, plucking is tedious and impractical. Waxing is similar to plucking, but it can treat large areas. Like plucking, the process of waxing can also be painful; and can also cause allergic reactions and/or inflammation of the hair follicle.

What distinguishes laser from other methods of hair removal?

The laser hair removal system has been designed to selectively treat only the hair follicle while leaving surrounding tissue unaffected. The laser uses pulses of light to remove the hair, so there is no irritation to the skin, as with other removal methods.

Is laser treatment uncomfortable?

The treatment consists of a series of laser pulses, accompanied by a tingling or slight burning sensation. Most patients describe the treatment as a series of rubber band snaps to the skin. The majority of patients tolerate this sensation without anesthetics. However, for patient comfort, topical anesthetics or oral sedatives may be used. Within about thirty minutes of treatment, the area may become pink or red, and may feel like a mild sunburn for a day or so. Because the laser does not damage the skin, no bandages are necessary.

How long does it take?

Each laser pulse treats about a one-half inch area, which can contain ten or more hairs. The amount of time needed depends on the size of the area to be treated. The lip usually takes less than five minutes, other areas, such as the leg, may take significantly longer.

How many treatments will be necessary?

The laser works by disabling hair follicles that are actively producing hair at the time of treatment. At any time, some hair follicles are dormant. Since the follicles are producing hair at different times, several visits may be necessary for total treatment. Your physician will work with you to develop the optimal treatment strategy.

Treatment usually requires 3-5 treatments booked 4 weeks apart. Maintenance treatments are usually required once every 6 to 12 mos.