Tag: Laser treatment

How Laser Hair Removal Works on Different Skin Types and

How Laser Hair Removal Works on Different Skin Types and Hair Color

The effectiveness of laser hair removal is dependent upon several factors including skin type and hair color. Lesser factors include the condition of the skin, sun exposure, and the cycle of the hair.

There are four basic skin types – Caucasian European, African descent, Eastern Asian, and Middle Eastern / Mediterranean. Each of these four skin types have several things in common, such as the thickness of the dermis and epidermis, the number of hair follicles, and the skin’s layered components. However, there are many characteristics of each skin type that are very different.

Caucasian Europeans have the most varied skin type of all the groups. This group has light skin with great variation in skin color amongst the people which is determined by heredity. The people from this group are the best candidates for laser hair removal. Generally, they will need fewer treatments and attain the best results. Overall, the effectiveness of laser hair removal on individuals from this group is dependent upon a combination of their hair and skin color.

Individuals of African descent, with dark brown skin or poor candidates for laser hair removal. This is because the laser light is absorbed into the skin pigment, causing possible burns, scars, and keloids. The dark skin causes the laser beam to b drawn away from its target area.

People in Eastern Asian descent, which includes China, Japan and Korea, generally have the least amount of facial and body hair. They are usually good candidates for laser hair removal because their hair is dark, and they have minimal skin pigmentation.

Middle Eastern and Mediterranean people tend to have the most facial and body hair. Their skin color can very from dark white to medium brown. Those people with lighter skin generally make better candidates for laser hair removal. Skin bleaching agents, such as 4% hydroquinone, are sometimes used by people in this group to lighten the skin as much as possible. This is done to make the laser treatment as effective as possible and reduce the risk of burning the skin. This ethnic group has an increased risk of hyperpigmentation.

Hair color combines with skin type to further determine the effects of laser hair removal. Black or dark brown hair is usually coarser and contains the most pigmentation. These factors make it the easiest to treat because the laser light is most easily absorbed by the dark pigmentation. Lighter brown hair usually requires more treatments than darker hair. The lighter the hair color, the more difficult laser hair removal becomes. Red and light blonde hair contain phemelianin pigment which makes light absorption very difficult. Grey or white hair does not contain any pigmentation at all, therefor, they cannot absorb light. The Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype Scale and the Lancer Ethnicity Scale are used by professional technicians to determine the effectiveness of laser hair removal based on skin type and hair color.

The best combination of skin type and hair color for laser hair removal is light skin with dark hair. These people will have the best results with the least treatments.

Contraindications of Laser Hair Removal

There are people that should not have laser hair removal because of one or more specific reasons. These reasons are called contraindications, which mean, that it is inadvisable to have the treatment or procedure. The treatment could be dangerous or cause permanent side effects. Other contraindications require special treatment or medication before laser hair removal can be started.

Women that are pregnant should not have laser hair removal. Although there is not significant information regarding laser usage and pregnancy, many physicians and health care providers recommend avoiding laser treatments because of the unknown effects on the on the unborn child.

Anyone that has herpes simplex virus I or II should tell the doctor that is preforming the laser hair removal before treatments have begun. It is necessary to take a prescription antiviral medication for several days both before and after the treatment. If the hair removal is in the area of previous outbreaks, it is possible that the heat from the laser will cause a flare up of the herpes virus. If a herpes outbreak is active, either on the face or genital area, it is important to reschedule the laser hair removal treatment.

An appointment should also be rescheduled if there is any cut, broken, irritated or inflamed skin in the area that is to be treated. Rescheduling is also necessary if there is an active infection anywhere within the body.

Anyone that has the condition of albinism, which is the absence of any color pigment in the hair or skin, should not have laser hair removal. Laser light is drawn to dark pigmentation so it will not work on anyone with this condition. The same holds true for people with very light blonde, red, grey, or white hair.

People that are sunburned or have recently tanned should postpone their treatment until their skin has returned to its normal color which could take several weeks. It is important that skin is its natural color when laser hair removal takes place.

Certain oral and topical medications can cause photosensitivity or photoallergic reactions if used before laser hair removal treatments take place. Accutane should be discontinued three months before treatment begins. Tetracycline and Retin A should be discontinued six weeks before the laser hair removal process.

Anyone that suffers from certain medical conditions, such as lupus, diabetes, or epilepsy, should not have laser hair removal. Any nervous disorders which are present, need to be evaluated before laser treatment begins. If hirsutism is present, the cause should be diagnosed and treated before any laser treatment is started.

If there is a mole in the area to be treated, many people decide to have it removed before treatment. Because of the dark pigmentation of the mole, it may attract to much heat from the laser and cause burning. The same holds true for certain birthmarks and beauty marks.

If there is a history of keloid scarring, it is important to know that there is a higher danger of scarring from the treatments.

The importance of knowing the contraindications of laser hair removal can protect you from a dangerous experience.

Laser Teeth Whitening; Result in an Instant

In the modern world of today, every treatment is made easier with the use of laser. Teeth whitening are no exception. Laser teeth whitening is now one of the options that people have if they want to have whiter teeth.

Laser teeth whitening is best for those who want it done painlessly and quickly. Unlike other methods of teeth whitening, you do not have to wait days or months to see the result of the treatment. You will notice that once the laser treatment is finished, your teeth are whiter than it used to be.
Many people are choosing this option because of the fast result that it will bring you. If you need to be in a presentation or a gathering wherein you want everyone to notice how beautiful your smile is, this is the best method that you can hope for.

How does the process of laser teeth whitening works?

1. Teeth cleaning.

The dental expert will begin the process by first cleaning your teeth. This is important because plaque and germs that are present in your teeth will have a major effect on the whitening process.

The result of the treatment is greatly affected by the present condition of your teeth. That is why they have to be cleaned first and foremost.

2. Application of whitening gel and laser treatment.

Once your teeth are cleaned, the dentist will put the whitening gel on your teeth. After the gel is applied, you will then be readied and positioned for the laser treatment.

The purpose of the laser here is to enhance the whitening process of the gel. Without laser, it would take several minutes or hours before the gel can penetrate your teeth. With laser, the whitening ingredients in the gel are immediately activated so that it will produce results in a matter of seconds.

For extreme cases of discoloration, one session is not enough to achieve the desired result. Sometimes, the person is told to come back again for some more sessions before the changes in the teeth color will become noticeable.

But for those who have mild teeth discoloration, a session is oftentimes enough.

Is laser whitening for everyone?

Like all professional teeth whitening treatment, you can expect to pay a higher price for it. Laser teeth whitening can be as expensive as the dentist-assisted method.

If you are used to the whitening products that you can buy from stores, you will be surprised at the cost that laser teeth whitening.

It can be noted that the price vary depending on the dentist and the clinic performing the treatment. If you want to get the best deal out of your money, you can do some extra research to find out which one is offering a competitive price.

Over the internet, you will be given choices of laser teeth whitening clinics to choose. Before selecting one, go over all the others so that you will not miss out on other great offers.
If you are intent on having that great white smile, you can set up a budget just for the laser teeth whitening session. Once you see the result, you will not be sorry and you can say that your money was well spent.

Just think of it this way. Why spend repeatedly on something that will take longer when you can spend it on laser teeth whitening and have that instantaneous and great result.

Areas That Can Be Treated with Laser Hair Removal

Just about any area of the body that is covered by hair, either facial or body, can be treated with laser hair removal. These areas include the face, chin, upper lip, neck, arms, underarms, back, chest, abdomen, shoulders, legs, pubic area, and buttocks. Laser hair removal is an effective treatment for both men and women.

Facial hair in women is one of the most common areas treated by laser hair removal. The two areas that are treated most often are the upper lip and chin. This is because most women find facial hair to be very troublesome and unsightly. Women who choose laser hair removal for facial hair like the ease and speed of treatment, as well as, and the long-lasting results. Hair removal in these areas usually takes anywhere from one to 10 minutes.

In women facial hair tends to grow thicker as the woman grows older. The entire face is covered with tiny hairs called vellus hairs, which are almost invisible. As the skin ages, more thicker terminal hairs grow on the woman’s face. This is actually the same thing that happens to men’s ears. Laser treatment for this type of hair usually takes between ten and fifteen minutes.

Many women also choose laser hair removal for eyebrow shaping. This treatment is an excellent way to remove stray and unwanted hairs, especially between the eyebrows. Eyebrow treatment usually takes about fifteen minutes and can result in a slight irritation of the skin around the delicate brow. This irritation generally disappears within a few days and is very similar to a mild sunburn.

Often men with very hairy backs choose to have laser hair removal treatments. Many are self-conscious of their back hair when going to the gym or beach. A full back treatment can take anywhere from thirty minutes to one hour depending upon the extensiveness of the hair in that area.

Many women choose laser hair removal treatments for the pubic, or bikini area. They are often concerned with shaving bumps, a rash, or a stray pubic hair showing when they wear their bathing suits. It generally takes from four to thirty minutes to complete laser hair removal in this area. The amount of hair that is removed depends on the client’s wishes. Some people choose a full Brazilian bikini procedure, which is the removal of all hair in the pubic area.

Laser hair removal from the underarm area generally takes about 30 minutes and usually results in permanent hair removal.

Some women spend as much an hour a week removing their leg hair by shaving. This method is not only time-consuming, but often results in nicked, bleeding legs. Most often razor stubble can be seen within a few days as the hair regrows. Laser hair removal for legs can consist of the entire leg, half of the leg. It usually takes between 45 and 60 minutes for both legs to receive a full leg treatment.

Laser hair removal treatments are safe and effective ways for removing unwanted hair on any part of your body. Although several treatments may be needed, most people that choose this method are very happy with the results.