Unwanted Hair
Let's face it, excess body hair can be unsightly and embarrassing. Shaving, plucking, waxing and depilatory creams provide temporary fixes that are inconvenient, irritating, messy and only temporary. Electrolysis is time consuming, sometimes painful, and is useful only in removing hair from small areas.
Excess and unwanted hair is a common problem. Women frequently experience this condition on the face, especially the upper lip, in the bikini area, under the arms or on the legs. Men often wish to rid themselves of hair on their back or chest. They too may have unwanted hair between their eyebrows or on other parts of their face.
Advanced technology lasers and light sources are rapidly changing hair removal treatment, providing gentle, non-invasive and long-lasting solutions to unwanted hair.
What is unwanted hair
Unwanted hair is a problem shared by both men and women. In many cases the condition runs in families due to genetics. Race can also be a factor — whites are more prone to having excess facial hair than are Asians and Blacks. Some people experience unwanted or excess hair from the time they reach puberty; others find it to be a condition that gets worse with age. Some women experience additional hair growth during pregnancy or menopause. Women who experience sudden hair growth should consult with their physicians, as this may be a sign of other medical conditions.
Hair does not come in any one size or type. Follicles in different parts of the body produce differing types of hair. Hair can grow in thick, bushy patches or in long thin strands. In addition, hair is produced in follicles that can be found at different depths and densities — as close to the skin's surface as a millimeter or as deep as five millimeters or more. Until recently, this great variety in hair types and body locations made long-lasting hair removal a significant challenge.
Hair Growth Phases
Typical Treatments
Tweezing and Shaving: The most basic approach to removing unwanted hair has been the trusty tweezers — their use goes back to ancient Rome. The drawbacks of this approach are pretty obvious; in addition to being painful and time-consuming, plucking is only a short-term solution as the hair invariably grows back. Shaving unwanted hair is another quick, yet ultimately ineffective way to permanently rid oneself of excess hair.
Creams: Millions of dollars have been spent on messy chemical depilatory creams, which can cause redness and irritation, while having no permanent effect on unwanted hair. Consumers have found newer, "organic" hair removal creams to be less offensive to the skin, but they have not proved any more effective at getting rid of hair. Prescription creams often provide good results, but they must be used at least twice per day, and never provide a permanent solution.
Waxing: Waxing is quite popular, especially among women. This method only provides hair-free results for two to four weeks. Many people find the process painful, and waxing can cause skin irritation and ingrown hairs.
Electrolysis: Electrolysis is generally an effective means of hair removal, but this technique can be painful, time-consuming and expensive. During electrolysis, an electric current passes through a needle to destroy each individual hair root. It typically takes months and numerous visits to clear even small areas, such as the upper lip.
All lasers are not created equal!
Soft Touch Laser presents
PolyLase LP® Non-invasive
Hair Removal Laser Therapy
NEWS as of 03/27/2006: We are proud to announce that we now have the latest
re-designed PolyLase LP®, and are honored to be the first in the Western Hemisphere to have it! This ground-breaking state-of-the-art laser is now complimented with a color touch screen, motorized zoom lens handpieces, more energy, higher cooling, and improved reliability.
What does this mean to you? You'll be treated with the very latest advancements in lasers which will yield you faster and safer procedures, for all skin types.
If the manufacturer of this stellar unit respects us by bestowing Soft Touch Laser & Wellness Center such an honor to allow us to premiere the unit in such a large geographical area,
you should surely trust us with your Laser Hair Removal needs.
Don't put your body in the hands of out-dated antiquated equipment that can lead to burns and/or subpar results, or to practices not willing to continually invest in their technology and equipment!
What is the DDC Technologies PolyLase LP® Laser
and why is it a safe treatment?
Lasers have been used for many years for a variety of medical cosmetic procedures including treatment of facial and leg veins, age spots and rejuvenating the skin on the face. The PolyLase LP® System is the newest advancement in laser aesthetics. The system contains a revolutionary long-pulse high energy alexandrite laser (optimal wavelength of 755nm for lighter skin types) as well as an Nd:Yag laser (optimal wavelength of 1064nm for darker skin types). This premier laser emits a gentle beam of light that passes through the skin to the hair follicle where it is absorbed. The laser energy is transformed into heat, which destroys the hair follicle leaving the surrounding skin unaffected. The skin is further protected during treatment by deep cooled air that is sprayed onto the skin cooling the upper layers and providing patients with increased comfort. This ingenious system prevents hyper (lightening) or hypo (darkening) pigmentation problems as found with some other laser systems, and does not carry the possible side effects of other manufacturers cooling devices that may be too extreme.
What conditions are treated with the PolyLase LP®?
Traditional hair removal techniques, such as shaving, plucking, waxing and depilatory creams provide only temporary relief. Until now, the only recognized way to remove hair permanently has been by electrolysis - which can be tedious, time-consuming and uncomfortable. The PolyLase LP® System safely removes unwanted body hair without damaging the delicate pores and structures of the skin. Facial and bikini areas are usually completed in under ten minutes; legs, backs and larger areas can take longer.
What does the treatment include?
Depending on the amount of hair treated, the procedure varies from patient to patient. Generally, the treatment will include: Wearing safety eyewear to protect the practitioner and patient's eyes from the laser light during the procedure. A small handpiece will be used that touches the skin to deliver the laser light. A light spray of chilled air on the skin will be felt during each laser pulse. A test area may be done prior to the entire treatment. Your full treatment may be done on the same day or up to two weeks later, depending on the skin reaction. Most patients experience little discomfort at the treatment site because of the cooling device. The degree of discomfort varies with each person, depending on his/her pain threshold. Topical anesthesia may also be requested based on individual preferences or tolerances. Be sure to discuss this with your practitioner in advance of the laser treatment. The procedure can take as little as 10 minutes or up to an hour, depending on the area treatment. The treated area may become pink or red within 30 minutes of treatment; this may last from a few hours to several days and is relieved with the application of ice or cooling gels.
What precautions should be taken before and after treatment?
Avoid the sun 4-6 weeks before and after treatment or until your practitioner allows it. You must avoid electrolysis, plucking or waxing hair for 6 weeks prior to treatment. If you have had a history of perioral herpes, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be prescribed. It is not necessary to shave, but it will quicken treatment time. A shadow or stubble should be visible. You should discuss your desired results and the improvements you expect to achieve with your practitioner. Together you can decide if your expectations will be met and if this laser treatment is the best option.
How many treatments will I need?
Hair grows in cycles. The number of treatments required depends upon your skin color and coarseness of the hair. Everyone will require at least 4-6 treatments as the process is only effective on hair during the early growing cycle. Repeat sessions will be necessary to treat these follicles when they re-enter the early growth phase. Is this procedure covered by insurance? Most insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for cosmetic procedures.
However, consult with your insurance carrier for more information.
How much does it cost?
As you can see, Soft Touch Laser & Wellness Center
can save you lots of time, pain and money.
Remember...Not all lasers are created equal.
Only Soft Touch Laser & Wellness Center
can provide you with excellent results,
while significantly reducing discomfort,
with no burning, and with very competitive pricing!
Don't delay...make your appointment today!
Links
Press Release on Laser Hair Removal
Laser Facts
From Long Island Press
