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What is laser hair removal?
A method of removing unwanted hair, utilizing laser energy targeted to the hair follicle to cause thermal damage and prevent further hairs from growing. It was invented by a team of laser dermatologists at the Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Top |
Is the laser hair removal permanent?
Theoretically, damage to the hair follicle can remove unwanted hair permanently, but because of the nature of hair and the many factors that influence the growth of hair, the results are variable. The effect of repeated treatments is cumulative. In fact, most people experience long-term hair removal. Top |
Is it safe?
As with any medical treatment, use of the LightSheer Diode Sytem can have some side effects. However, side effects have been minor and manageable in clinical use. Top |
Is it painful? What will the area look like after the procedure?
No treatment to remove unwanted hair is completely painless. Patients who have undergone repeated waxing or hours of electrolysis can attest to the pain caused by commonly used methods of epilation. The LightSheer™ Diode System is fast which reduces treatment time. It provides long-lasting hair removal, reducing the need for repeated treatment. The ChillTip™ cooling lens helps reduce discomfort while protecting the skin surface from thermal injury during delivery of the pulse of the laser light.
Immediately after treatment, the site will be somewhat swollen, appear slightly red in color, and will feel like a mild sunburn. This reaction subsides over a few hours, and then the treated sites usually return to their normal appearance. The amount of discomfort after the procedure is usually minimal and does not limit most normal physical activities. Since light is used to remove the hair, there is no reason need to apply a bandage and wound care is generally not required. Top |
What complications have been associated with treatment?
In addition to transient epidermal injury (pain, erythema, edema, blistering), transient hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation and transient textural changes (crusting or scabbing) have been observed in some patients treated with the LightSheer Diode System. Proper patient selection and pretreatment can help minimize these complications.
Patients who carry the herpes simplex virus and recieve treatment on their upper lip, chin, or lower cheeks may have a "flare-up" of their condition. The risk of this complication can be reduced if the patient takes their antiviral medication for a few days before and after each treatment. Top |
How does the LightSheer Diode System work?
The near-infrared laser light emitted be the system is abosrbed by the pigment located in the hair follicle. The laser is pulsed, or turned on, for only a fraction of a second. The duration of each pulse is just long enough to damage the follicle, while the system's contact-cooling handpiece ( the ChillTip™) helps protect the skin by conductive cooling during the laser energy delivery. Top |
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Piedmont Plastic Surgery, P.A.
305 A West Alexander Ave.Greenwood, South Carolina 26946
Voice: 864-223-0505 | Fax: 864-223-7075
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Email: info@ppsmd.com |
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to the hair follicle to cause thermal damage and prevent further hairs from growing. The LightSheer Diode Laser emits a near-infrared light which is preferentially absorbed by the pigment located in the hair follicle. The laser is turned on for a fraction of a second, long enough to damage the follicle, while the systems patented contact-cooling handpiece (The ChillTip) helps protect the skin by conductive cooling during the laser energy delivery.