Hair Removal Methods

Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure. It is a non-invasive, convenient method to reduce hair growth.

Laser Hair Removal Technique
Depending on the area being treated, the process may take anywhere from several minutes to several hours to complete. The most commonly used lasers utilize a low energy laser beam. This beam passes through the patient’s skin and is attracted to the pigment of the hair. The energy passes down the hair shaft and is absorbed by hair follicles that are in the active growth phase, thereby disabling the hair follicle in the deeper layer of the skin. The hair follicles that are in dormant phase are not affected by the treatment. In most cases, minimal pain should be experienced and no anesthesia is required.

Laser Hair Removal Benefits

• A non-invasive, gentle technique that reduces undesirable hair from most parts of the body
• Treats larger areas effectively because it disables more than one hair at a time
• May make skin color and complexion more uniform
• Minimal discomfort
• Replaces waxing, electrolysis, shaving and bleaching
• No downtime

Laser Hair Removal Considerations

• Laser hair removal is an ongoing process that requires multiple sessions because it only affects actively growing hair, and not all hair follicles are active at the same time. In addition, high energy levels are avoided so as to minimize the risk of injury to the adjacent skin
• Occasionally patients may experience slight redness of the skin or mild swelling around the hairs
• Sunscreen is recommended for any area treated that may be exposed to the sun
• Patients with darker skin may not respond well due to inadequate discrepancy between skin and hair colors
• Blonde or gray/white hair is less responsive due to lack of ample pigment in the hair

Hair Removal Methods

Electrolysis is a method of permanent hair removal which was invented over 100 years ago in the United States. During electrolysis, a needle is inserted into a hair follicle and an electrical pulse is sent through the needle. If this particular hair follicle is in the active growth stage at the time of treatment, it will probably not grow again.

There are three basic types of electrolysis hair removal:

• Galvanic – An electro-chemical current produces a bit of lye.
• Thermolysis – A heat current is produced by and a radio wave.
• Blend – An electro-chemical reaction is produced more quickly by a combination of the above methods.

Hair can be removed from almost anywhere on the body except from the inside of the nose, ears, or often from a mole.

All electrologists have some trainingin hair removal, but states vary widely as to whether electrologists actually need certification and if so, vary as to what is required to obtain electrolysis certification. It is probably a good idea to ask about the training and experience of your electrologist.

Some of the people who may not be good candidates for at least galvanic or blend include people who have pace makers, are pregnant or have IUD’s. Your medical practitioner and your electrologist should make these decisions.

Common side effects of electrolysis include pain, redness, or swelling. It is possible for scabs to appear which may result in infection or scarring. It is also possible for darker skinned individuals to get dark or light spots around the treated areas which may or may not be permanent.

Electrolysis may be painful for some individuals depending on the coarseness of the hair being removed, the sensitivity of the area itself, and an individual’s tolerance for discomfort. A topical anesthetic such as EMLA or ElaMax may reduce the pain. Since electrolysis takes quite a bit of time, it may be difficult for some people to endure the discomfort associated with electrolysis.

Electrolysis hair removal takes a commitment of money, time and energy. Most electrologists charge between $45 and $125 per hour. You can figure out how much electrolysis will cost by multiplying your electrologists hourly rate by the hours for a particular area. It is very difficult to estimate the cost of electrolysis since hair grows denser for some people versus others. While an upper lip may take as little as one hour to treat, a man’s back hair removal treatment may take 150 hours or even more.

Although it is not easy to estimate the cost of hair removal or time it will take to remove an individual’s hair, the chart below can be used as a general guide. It may make more sense to use laser hair removal as the method to remove hair from large areas such as backs or full legs because of the significant cost and time savings. It may also make sense to use laser for small areas if only to save significant amounts of time.

The FDA has only approved certain lasers for “permanent hair reduction” indicating that a certain percentage of hair will remain after a course of laser treatment. Some individuals choose to begin electrolysis after the series of laser treatments to remove the stragglers left behind by the laser.

Of course there is a group of people for which the laser hair removal won’t work. This includes people with red, white, grey, or true blond hair in the area from hair is to be removed. This group of people may opt for electrolysis hair removal. Another option is an intense-pulsed-light hair removal machine, most of which are FDA approved for “long-term hair reduction.”

Cost of Electrolysis

Electrolysis is definitely a tried and true option for those opting for permanent hair removal. Although sometimes costly, painful and time consuming, it may be the best option for people with certain hair or skin types, or for those with only a small amount of hair to be removed.

Some facts about Vaniqa

Vaniqa is the first prescription drug approved for the treatment of excessive facial hair in women. It is an enzyme inhibitor used topically to slow the growth of unwanted facial hair. It’s estimated that 20 million American women are bothered enough by facial hair to remove it once a week. Now you have a way to slow the growth of that unwanted hair.

This medicine is not a depilatory. It doesn’t remove hair. You’ll need to continue your routine method of hair removal while using this medicine. You may not see improvement for the first month of use. If your symptoms don’t improve or become worse, check with your doctor.

How Does it Work?

This medicine comes with a Patient Information Leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine.

Apply a thin layer of this medication only to the affected areas of the face and chin, and rub in well. It is usually applied twice daily at least 8 hours apart or as directed by your doctor. Do not apply for at least 5 minutes after hair removal (e.g., plucking, shaving). Do not wash the treated area for at least 4 hours.

Wash hands immediately after using this product. This medication is for use on the skin only. Avoid getting the product in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If the medication gets in these areas, rinse immediately with clean water. If this drug gets in your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water and contact your doctor.

Wait until the medication has dried completely before applying cosmetics, moisturizers, or sunscreens over the treated areas.

This product is not a hair removal product. Continue to use hair removal techniques (e.g., shaving, plucking) while using this medication. If you stop using this product, hair growth will return.

You should see some improvement in 4 to 8 weeks. This medication works slowly. Use exactly as directed. Do not use more of this product or use it more often. Your condition will not improve faster, and the risk of side effects will increase. Tell your doctor if your skin becomes red or irritated. Your doctor may direct you to apply the medication only once a day or stop the medication.

Where do you apply Vaniqa?

Anywhere except on the face and chin, in the eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina, or if you have severe acne or broken skin.

Vaniqa works by inhibiting ornithine decarboxylase, an enzyme in the hair follicle of the skin that stimulates hair growth.

Reported side effects that may go away during treatment, include stinging/tingling skin, burning, redness, rash of the skin; or hair bumps (folliculitis) and acne. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor.

Vaniqa should not be used:

By women who are pregnant or nursing, because Vaniqa has not been tested to see if it causes birth defects and miscarriages in humans.

By females under age 12.

By men as it has not been tested on males.