Laser Hair Removal and Numbing Cream
Laser hair removal is a medical procedure to remove unwanted hair for both men and women. The laser is an intense, pulsating beam of light which can pass through the skin to reach individual hair follicles. The intense heat generated by the laser damages the follicle so that there is limited regrowth. A numbing cream is often used to reduce the pain during the procedure. Does this Spark an idea?
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Procedure
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Laser hair removal is often used on the upper lip, chin, legs, armpits and bikini line. Because the laser beam targets the pigment (melanin) in the hair, the procedure works best for people with dark hair and light skin. For those with white, blond or gray hair, laser treatment is at present not very effective. Before the treatment, your doctor will provide you special goggles to protect your eyes from the laser beam.
Numbing Creams
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There are several numbing creams on the market and it is best to check with your doctor first. Many salons which offer laser treatment prefer to apply the creams themselves. At the same time they can decide about the strength and duration of the laser. The creams are topical anesthetics like the ones sometimes used by dentists on your gums before an injection. A common ingredient in the creams is lidocaine.
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Side Effects
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If you are treating only a small area, such as the upper lip, the laser procedure will only take a few minutes. For treatment on a larger area, such as the legs and back, it may take several hours. This will usually be scheduled over several visits. For most of these procedures, a numbing cream will be used and may be applied when you go for the treatment. After the procedure, you may experience some swelling and redness for a few hours. Some people experience also a stinging sensation which can linger for a couple of days. The affected skin may also become slightly crusty.
What to Expect
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In order to assure that there is minimal regrowth, most laser treatments must be done several times, often over four to six sessions. Most patients feel a sensation like a rubber band snapping the skin. Once the treatment is finished it takes about two weeks for the hair to fall out totally. Wash the treated areas gently. The Mayo Clinic estimates that laser treatment can reduce hair counts 40 to 80 percent. Laser hair removal is not inexpensive and sessions can cost anywhere from $200 to $800.
Risks
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Patients should be aware that laser hair removal will not guarantee permanent hair removal. For some people their hair could be resistant to the treatment and hair may start to grow again. When that happens the new hair growth may be lighter in color with a finer texture. There can be temporary skin irritation including crusting or scabbing. Occasionally, laser hair removal might lighten or darken the affected skin although this is only temporary.
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References
- Photo Credit Laser image by Tigerbeat from Fotolia.com
