Do lasers work for unwanted hair growth? Part 1

Unwanted hair is simply not nice, especially for a female. Like acne, there are hundreds of products out on the market to get rid of unwanted hair. While some work, there is no permanent treatment - hair usually grows back.

Today, the majority of spas and clinics offer laser devices like alexandrite, diode, neodymium: YAG, and ruby lasers and intense pulsed light. There are thousands of ads hyping the benefits of lasers and their effectiveness. The facts are that these devices are expensive, have side effects, cause a lot of pain and to make matters worse- no one really knows if they remove hair permanently. For all those who have never been zapped by a laser, it is not a great experience.

In the present study, researchers reviewed randomized studies to determine if lasers really worked and how long the “hair free” period lasted.

It was discovered that the majority of published data on hair removal with lasers were only for 6 months. There was evidence that a short-term effect of roughly 50% hair reduction with alexandrite and diode lasers up to six months after treatment.

IPL for hair removal

For years, people have been trying to remove hair using light. In the 70s and 80s, there were very crude devices known as flash lamps, which essentially removed hair by burning the hair as well as skin. These devices never caught on but now we have much fancier and sophisticated devices known as intense pulse light therapy (IPL).
IPL is not very different from a laser. The device emits a beam of light that passes through skin and enters the hair follicle. The heat generated then destroys the hair follicles.

What do the doctors say about IPL?

Vendors of this therapy say the treatment is gentle, long lasting and painless (for the consumer two facts two remember- never believe what a vendor or doctor says about cosmetic therapy, and secondly if the price of a therapy is not listed on the website- it means that the treatment is expensive and most likely does not work).

Where is IPL performed?

IPL is usually performed at a spa or a clinic. Prior to IPL treatment, the skin is covered with a topical anesthetic or a cold ice pack for about 20 minutes. The eyes are covered with special goggles and then the device is held close to skin and activated. As the device is rolled over skin, one can see light flashes being emitted. The light penetrates the skin and damages the hair follicle. Some of the hair is removed at the time of the procedure but the majority of hairs take about 2 weeks to fall off.

How long does treatment last?

Each IPL treatment session can last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. This duration of time depends on how much hair you need removed and what your threshold for pain is.

How many sessions are required?

Well, in all of cosmetic surgery, nothing is ever accomplished in one session. Almost everyone requires many sessions.

Does IPL work in everyone?

NO, the treatment does not work in everyone. Those with fair skin and dark hair respond the best.

Vaniqa and Hair Removal

In the last few years, much has been made about a topical cream that can remove hair. The drug known as Vaniqa or Eflornithine was initially used to treat parasitic infections in Africa and was observed to cause hair loss. However, the drug company realized it could make more money selling this cream for hair removal than help poor children in Africa. So now the drug is heavily marketed as a hair loss product in the West.

Vaniqa is available as topical preparation and has been shown to remove hair in some individuals.

MIND YOU, Vaniqa does not work in all people for hair removal. While exact numbers are lacking, the number of people who respond to Vaniqa is anywhere from 10-50%. Even the hair removal intensity is not the same in all individuals. All the data reported are by the manufacturers and dealers and hard facts are not available.

Vaniqa appears to act by getting absorbed in to the skin and stopping growth of more hair. The drug has to be applied everyday for 8 weeks. All consumers should understand that this is not a permanent hair removal method. As soon as you stop the drug, hair will restart to grow.

Electrolysis: permanent hair removal Part 3

Who performs electrolysis?
Hair removal can be done in anyone of the spas and cosmetic clinics in any large city in North America. However, one should be aware that not only is the training of all electrologists not standardized, but many States do not even require certification for someone to perform the procedure. Before one embarks on this treatment, it is best to inquire about the training and experience of your electrologist

What are other options for hair removal?

Electrolysis may be good and a cheaper alternative when it comes to permanent removal of hair from small areas of the body, but today laser is a better option for hair removal from larger areas of the body. Laser hair removal is not only faster, but requires fewer sessions and is slightly cheaper.

Is hair removal covered by Medical Insurance?

Hair removal is strictly a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by any medical insurance. Because of the lure of easy money, there is a bandwagon of people who do this procedure. For safety, select a professional who is credentialed to perform the procedure. Electrolysis when performed by an experienced technician is a safe and effective way to eliminate the embarrassing problem of excessive hair

Electrolysis: permanent hair removal Part 2

What does the procedure involve?
Electrolysis is generally performed in a spa or a clinic. During the actual procedure, the individual is asked to be in a comfortable position. The majority of individuals who undergo the procedure complain of pain during the procedure and the time it takes to perform the procedure. The pain is variable and dependent on which part of the body is treated. To counter the pain, the technician may apply a local anesthetic ointment 20 minutes before the procedure.

Are there any side effects of electrolysis?
While electrolysis is a safe technique when practiced properly, problems can arise from improper electrolysis procedures. Besides the pain and unsightly cosmesis, scarring is a major complication seen when the technique is not done properly.

However, in most instances the procedure is safely done and the few short term side effects include:

- pain during the procedure
- swelling at the sight
- redness
- skin color changes (either too dark or too light)

These side effects subside in a few days and are not noticeable. However, the results of hair removal do not become obvious for some time. It may take a few weeks for all the hair to fall out after the procedure.

What is the cost of electrolysis?

Electrolysis is not a light hearted undertaking. It requires time, money and commitment. The cost of electrolysis ranges from $50-100/hour, depending on whom you go to. The procedure can take hours, depending on what part of the body is being treated. Hairs around the nipple may take 30 minutes but the arm may take anywhere from 20-40 hours. So before you undergo the treatment, get some idea about the number of hours and the possible cost.