The Top 5 Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
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9 Reasons Why Men Love Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is one of the most sought after aesthetic procedures by men. So why do some men pursue permanent laser hair removal instead of more traditional methods like shaving and waxing? Below are some of the most common reasons men have laser hair removal. Book Now 1. Razor bumps: Some men struggle with the issue of red bumps and itching, known as “folliculitis, after shaving. Bacteria that normally live on the skin’s surface migrate into the hair follicle during the shaving process. The bacteria cause inflammation, unsightly red bumps and itching. 2. Tired of time spent shaving and waxing: The biggest and most obvious reason men choose laser hair removal is the freedom to never shave or wax again. Shaving and waxing can be incredibly time consuming. The added convenience is especially important for men who have hair in difficult to reach places such as their back. 3. Athletic lifestyle. Body builders, cyclists, and swimmers are all known to perform grooming methods before a race or competition. Frequently shaving can be very time consuming prior to important events, making laser hair removal an excellent option for those wanting an edge up on the competition. 4. Less embarrassing than salon waxing: Some men feel uncomfortable in female dominated beauty salons. Fortunately, laser hair removal is performed in a clinic setting, saving men the embarrassment of visiting the salon for waxing appointments. 5. They want thinner hair: Some men simply want thinner, finer hairs rather than total hair removal. Using laser hair removal, we can weaken the hair follicles to thin out the hair without removing it completely. Men with thick hair on their backs, chests or arms can benefit from LHR to help remove some but not all of the hair per their preferences. This allows men to enjoy a masuline appearance while keeping more intense hair growth under control. 6. Ingrown hairs: For some men, unpleasant and unsightly ingrown hairs are a major problem. Ingrown hairs not only have a red and inflamed appearance but may be painful as well. Ingrown hairs will gradually be cured with laser hair removal treatment due to the decrease in hair follicles. 7. Tattoos: Men who have tattoos typically want to show them off and significant body hair is an impediment to this. Laser hair removal is an excellent option for men pursuing tattoos because the procedure permanently removes the need for shaving and waxing in the area of the desired tattoo. It is important to note that laser hair removal cannot be performed over an existing tattoo but in an area prior to tattoo application. 8. Muscle definition: Many men struggle with significant chest, abdominal, and back hair. Unfortunately efforts in the gym are minimized by an abundance of hair in these areas. For men that prioritize displaying their results from exercising, laser hair removal is an excellent option to show off their physique. 9. Significant Others: Some men are not significantly bothered by their hair but instead their partners do not like excessive hair. Partner satisfaction has led many men to pursue laser hair removal as a more permanent option for personal maintenance. Book Now
What Is The Best Device For Laser Hair Removal?
There are many laser hair removal devices on the market. With so many options, how do you find the right laser removal device for you? Below is an in depth discussion of the five most common types of hair removal systems: Ruby, IPL, Alexandrite, Diode, and Nd: YAG. Book Now 1. Ruby (694 nm) The Ruby laser is the first laser hair removal system brought to market. Due to the age of the Ruby laser, there is significant research available to support its efficacy. However, many providers consider the Ruby laser outdated, (it was developed in 1960), and opt for more current laser systems because the laser has not been significantly updated since the initial release. The Ruby laser emits a red-colored beam and produces a shorter wavelength of 694 nm that targets melanin (brown pigment) found in hair follicle. The Ruby works best on pale skin and dark hair. This laser is not effective on lighter hair (blonde, red or grey). Due to high melanin (skin pigment) laser absorption rate, Ruby is not safe to use on darker skin types because it can cause dyspigmentation. The ruby also has a slow repetition meaning laser treatments require significantly longer treatment times than other hair removal systems. As a result the Ruby laser is suited for small areas of skin only. Pros: Many decades of safety data. Cons: Can only be used on pale skin. Treatment time is very long so can only treat tiny areas. Inexpensive because device is older. Common Ruby Devices: EpiPulse Ruby, Palomar, RubyStar 2. IPL IPL stands for “intense pulsed light”. Although IPL is not technically a laser, it is frequently used in aesthetics to remove unwanted hair. This device uses an intense, visible, broad-spectrum pulse or flash of light. IPL, like a laser, targets melanin in the hair to cause destruction to the follicle. IPL shares some similarities with laser treatments in that they both use light to heat to damage their targets. Good candidates for IPL hair removal have pale skin and dark hair. IPL is not safe on tan skin because it uses broad spectrum light which targets all types of structures in the skin, unlike laser which is ultra-focused on concentrating heat in the follicles. IPL also has a slow coverage rate and a bulky handpiece, so it is rarely used for hair removal. However, it remains a popular and effective device for removal of brown spots and facial redness. Pros: Very common device found in almost every dermatology office. Removes freckles and brown spots. Inexpensive. Cons: Does not use a laser beam and heat can damage other structures in the skin besides the hair follicle. Cannot be used on anyone tan or darker. Bulky handpiece with patchy results. Common IPL Devices: Aculight, Epilight, PhotoDerm, Quantum, Vasculight, Alma 3. Alexandrite (755 nm) The Alexandrite laser hair removal system is the most frequently used laser on the market because it is so quick and extremely effective. Alexandrite (“Alex” for short) can provide quick treatments on large body surface areas due to fast laser pulse repetition rates and larger treatment spot sizes. The Alex is most effective and safest on patients with light to olive-colored skin because of how well the laser targets brown pigment. The pulses of the laser are rapid, which may create slightly more discomfort for the patient but it is still very popular because treatment times are much quicker. Newer Alexandrite devices have built in cooling systems to reduce discomfort and improve the patient experience. Unfortunately, due to the strength of the laser against brown colors, the Alexandrite laser cannot be used on dark skin tones because it will cause burns, dyspigmentation, and scarring. Pros: Ultra-efficient at removing hair. Rapid repitition rate with quick treatment times. Painless. Cons: Latest technology means more expensive. Common Alexandrite Devices: Candela GentleLase, EpiTouch Plus, Cynosure Apogee, Deka Motus Ax 4. Diode (810 nm) The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved two wavelengths that may be used for laser hair reduction on darker skin tones including the diode (810 nm) and Nd: YAG (1064 nm) laser systems. The Diode laser is a newer laser hair removal system meaning there is less research available to show long-term safety and effectiveness. The Diode produces wavelengths that penetrate deep into the hair follicle. Deep laser penetration is safer on darker skin types because the energy produced by the laser is not able to concentrate where pigment resides in the skin. Common Diode Devices: Apex, Epistar, F1 Diode, LaserLite, LightSheer, MeDioStar, SLP, SopranoXL 5. Nd: YAG Laser (1064 nm) The longer wavelength Nd:YAG (Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) laser is the newest form of laser hair removal and is considered ideal gold standard for treating patients with darker skin, due to reduced scatter and deeper penetration of the laser light. Nd: Yag lasers produce wavelengths that penetrate deep into the hair follicle. YAG laser penetration is safer on darker skin types because the energy produced by the laser is not able to concentrate where pigment resides in the skin. Also, shorter pulse durations can be used more safely with Nd: YAG laser than with the diode. This is an additional advantage when dealing with hair that is more fine. Shorter pulse durations allow for quick treatments on large areas of the body. Pros: The safest laser for hair removal, ever. Rapid repitition rate with quick treatment times. The dermatology community agrees this is the best, safest laser for all patients with tan or darker skin. Cons: Latest technology means more expensive. Popular Nd: YAG Devices: Cynosure Elite, Candela, Cutera Excel, GentleYAG, Lyra, Medlite IV, Sciton Laser Hair Removal At SLK Clinic At SLK Clinic we have hand selected the Candela Gentlemax Pro laser system for our laser hair removal treatments. This unique laser system contains two separate laser devices considered the gold standard for treating both light and dark skin tones, the Alexandrite (755 nm) and Nd: YAG (1064 nm). The Candela Gentlemax Pro treats all skin types quickly, comfortably and effectively. The laser system also utilizes
Hyperpigmentation Part III: 3 Dermatology Procedures That Eliminate Dark Spots
Jennifer Stieber Our last post (Hyperpigmentation Part II) focused on prescription creams that reduce dark spots. Although these creams are extremely effective, they do take months to see final results. To accelerate dark spot removal, we can turn to elective in-office procedures. Book Now 1.IPL IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. It is often referred to as a laser, which is a misnomer, since IPL uses bright flash lamps, rather than isolated beams of laser light. IPL is very effective at removing brown spots like freckles and sun spots, however it is not safe for anyone with tan skin because the device cannot differentiate between the melanin in a dark spot and the baseline melanin that makes up someone’s skin color. Due to this limitation, many offices have shied away from using IPL in recent years, or sold off their devices. 2. PEELS: Whereas topical therapies such as retinoid creams can be very slow-acting, chemical peels rapidly lift all types of hyperpigmentation in a matter of days, including freckles, sun spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne scars. Chemical peels can also be tailored to be safe on all skin colors, and they can be used all over the body- including the chest, arms, legs, and back. Unlike IPL which is better for “spot treatments” and cannot evenly treat large areas of skin, chemical peels can be spread evenly over large stretches of skin. It is important to recognize, however, that the results of peels completely depend on the frequency and quality of topical skincare (See our past posts for more on this) used before and after treatment. If your provider does not have a thorough discussion with you about pre-care and after-care, this is probably a red-flag that they do not have a deep knowledge of how the peeling process works. Peels also have the added benefit of inducing the repair mechanisms of the epidermis and dermis, resulting in brighter, thicker, more overall glowing skin. Our favorite Peel is Revepeel because it is the safest for all skin colors. ViPeel is another effective, commonly used peel. 3. MICRONEEDLING. Although chemical peels and IPL have been in use for decades, only recently has microneedling been studied as a way to remove pigmentation. About 6 clinical studies since 2011 have shown the benefits of microneedling, and that these benefits are augmented when used in conjunction with excellent pre-care and after-care, or when alternated with chemical peels. In particular, microneedling is a very safe technique for dark skin types, where risk of side effects is very high with techniques that are light or laser-based. Some of the most commonly used microneedling devices include: MDPen, Skin Stylus, and Skin Pen. Book Now