Laser Hair Removal

Enhances your beauty

One of the fascinating facts regarding hair is that most individuals either have hair where they don't want it or else they don't have enough hair where they do want it.

Most women fall into the first category and many men fall into the second group. As with many other issues in life there appears to be a frequent maldistribution of hair among human beings. Lifestyle and cultural norms or ideals usually contribute to an individuals desire to remove hair from various parts of the body. For most women the presence of axillary (underarm) hair is unacceptable, as is hair on the calves or face. For many active women hair around the 'bikini line' is equally unacceptable. Then there is another group of women whose hair is sufficiently dark enough and thick enough that it can become a concern even on the arms, thighs, back and buttocks.

For many men the issue is excessive hair over the chest, back and shoulders although there is definitely a growing number of men seeking reduction of hair around the bathing suit line and axilla.

Whether you're a man or a woman in the Weston, FL area, if you have undesirable hair, Dr. Harrell and his team can recommend advanced solutions for its removal. Please call (954) 526-0066 for a consultation.

No Tech - Low Tech - High Tech Solutions for Hair Removal

NO TECH - Obviously one can simply choose to accept what nature has bestowed upon him/her. However, if you're reading this you're probably not subscribing to that philosophy.

LOW TECH - The low tech solution is primarily shaving in one form or another for most women while others will undergo waxing at regular intervals to keep themselves 'hair free'. These options are the least costly, at least over the short term. Razors and wax are plentiful and shaving at least is conveniently accomplished in one's own home. The downside is that there is a large cost, long term in consumables such as shaving cream, razors, handles, etc. Waxing is not inexpensive and requires repeated treatments indefinitely and is usually not a comfortable procedure to undergo.

HIGH TECH - That leaves us with the high tech solution. Laser hair removal/reduction is the most recent and the most exciting treatment for unwanted hair. Technology has developed to the point where most colors of hair can be successfully treated with the varying lasers available to physicians now. The laser works basically by emitting a high energy light beam that is then absorbed by the pigment of the hair follicle. The heating of the follicle above a certain temperature causes the hair follicle to cease growing permanently.

Laser Hair Removal Process

The most important part of the process is the consultation. During the consultation we will review your medical history in detail and will examine your skin, determining your skin type. You will also have an opportunity to voice your concerns and ask questions regarding the treatment. It is also at this appointment that we will cover the risks and complications in detail and outline what is necessary to ensure the best result possible.

The actual treatment follows and is usually only minimally uncomfortable and requiring no analgesics or sedatives. During the treatment the Laser Technician will apply the 'head' of the laser hand piece to the skin and trigger the light beam, which will pulse briefly. The hand piece is then moved to an adjacent section of skin and the process is repeated until the entire area has been covered. This process is then repeated for each area to be treated. Depending upon the number of areas to be treated the whole session may last from a few minutes to an hour or so.

Facts to Know About Laser Hair Removal

First, the best results are in patients who are able to avoid the sun for several weeks before and after the treatment. Tanning creates pigment and this pigment will attract more of the light energy that should be absorbed by the hair. The result can be more discomfort during the treatment, less effective reduction of hair and the possibility of either burns on the skin or patchy lightening of the skin due to damaging of the pigment making cells of the skin. Here is where an 'ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure'.

Understand that this is a gradual process. Only actively growing hair can be affected by the laser. As it turns out only a certain percentage of hair is ever growing in an area at any specific time. Therefore the treatments are repeated at six week intervals to continue treating the successive 'new' crops of hair that begin to grow. Each area of the body has a slightly different proportion of actively growing hair.

Finally, understand the process and ask questions. An informed patient is likely to have better results and be better prepared to undergo the treatment.

Buyer Beware

It never ceases to amaze me just who is out there offering laser hair removal and what they are using to accomplish this. I have heard of practitioners in their homes, without licenses and without formal training that manage to get their hands on a laser and begin to offer treatments. There are clinics where treatments take place by unqualified personnel presumably under the direction of a physician 'medical director'. Unfortunately, all to often this director just picks up his check and there is no physician oversight or supervision.

Go to a physician's office and make sure the technician has the requisite training and that there is on-site physician supervision of the technician.

Laser Hair Removal - Summary

Without a doubt laser hair removal is the wave of the future and its popularity is projected to continue growing for the foreseeable future. The promise of 'throwing away the razor' is real and is being realized by millions of clients who appreciate the convenience of never having to shave again or to significantly and permanently reduce their dependence on shaving or waxing.