Laser hair removal is performed by focusing laser light energy at the surface of the skin and by targeting hair follicles. This laser light energy rapidly heats the hair follicle and essentially destroys it in a process known as photothermolysis....

This heating process is relatively painless but can be uncomfortable. Patients can be made more comfortable if the skin is cooled prior to the procedure. This cooling also helps to focus the light energy on the follicular unit so that it is less likely to damage the surrounding skin.

 

All FDA-approved laser devices have a cooling unit mounted directly into the apparatus. This allows the skin to be cooled immediately prior to the laser light pulse. Cooling systems may include a cryogen spray, a pre-cooled sapphire hand piece, cold gel or simply a pump for blowing cold air. Newer laser hair removal systems may have a device that performs pneumatic skin flattening. This device sucks the area of skin onto the end of the probe, which is cooled. In this orientation the hair follicle can be targeted more specifically which further minimizes damage to the surrounding tissue. This suction may also decrease pain.

 

Once the skin is cooled, the laser will be “fired” at a small area of skin. During this split second, focused light energy strikes the surface of the skin. The area is heated and the hair follicle is destroyed. The laser may make a rather loud popping noise as it is fired. The noise may be unsettling at first, especially if the patient is not prepared. To ease patient comfort and to determine the appropriate settings for the laser, a test spot may be performed. The laser is tested in a small spot and the skin is allowed to react. This test spot provides the physician with an idea of how to proceed with the rest of the treatment.

 

There are various types of lasers used for laser hair removal. The main types of lasers that are commonly used are long-pulsed ruby, long-pulsed alexandrite, long-pulsed diode, long-pulsed Nd:YAG and intense pulsed light systems (known as IPL hair removal). Some types, such as the long-pulsed ruby is for patients with light skin and dark hair. The long-pulsed diode, on the other hand, is used primary for people with darker skin tones. IPL hair removal is a newer type of laser hair removal system and is not technically a laser system. Intense pulse light systems use a xenon bulb to generate light of various wavelengths. By putting filters on the front of the light source, the IPL system can mimic many of the other laser types. Your surgeon will determine the type of laser that is best for you.

 

The duration of the treatment depends on the area being treated. Small regions above the lip or on the chin may take fifteen minutes or less but larger areas like the leg may take an hour or more. Your surgeon should be able to give you a time estimate before the procedure.