Laser Hair Removal at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre

Men and women who have unwanted body and facial hair are turning to laser removal as a solution to endless shaving, painful waxing and smelly bleaches. The most common areas that can be treated with laser hair removal at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre include the legs, bikini line, underarms and face. Men often treat their back, chest and abdomen, but removal of hair can be done on any area.

How do the lasers work?

A single color light wave is focused on the treatment area. This light targets the melanin pigment of the hair shaft. The laser is calibrated to the proper length for heating only the hair shaft and to prevent damage to the surrounding tissue and skin. The heated follicle becomes inflamed, forcing it into a state of rest called the telogen phase where growth is halted.

Laser hair removal for different skin types

Because the lasers are designed to target the melanin pigment in the hair shaft and because there is melanin in the skin as well, the process works best on lighter-skinned people. Even tanning prior to treatment should be avoided. However, we have the right equipment and experience to treat darker-skinned patients.

We use the GentleLase laser on most patients because it yields optimal results quickly. To treat darker-skinned clients, we employ the GentleYAG laser because it offers the safest results when dealing with high concentration melanin pigment in the surrounding skin. It takes a very skilled hand to make sure that the surrounding skin is not burned or damaged during treatment.

Does it hurt?

There is a moderate stinging sensation that is usually well-tolerated but a numbing cream can be applied if a patient is worried about the pain or having a large area treated. Different areas may be more sensitive to the laser as well. The stinging sensation lasts only as long as the zap of the laser.

With any kind of cosmetic procedure, there is a chance that complications will occur. For laser hair removal, some of the risks include burning of the surrounding skin, hyper or hypo-pigmentation of the area, scarring, blistering and infection. The chances increase for darker-skinned people because of the high melanin content. At La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, we are highly trained in laser hair removal which reduces the risk of complications

Treatment sessions and maintenance

It takes several sessions to obtain the best results from laser hair removal. Typically, it takes about 5 treatments to get the best results. Each session has to be spaced out every four to eight weeks to coincide with the growth cycle of new hair. After each treatment, the hair that grows back becomes decidedly softer and lighter in color until it is removed. The actual number of sessions depends on the patient’s skin type, hair coarseness and the area being treated. Annual maintenance sessions may be necessary to keep the area hair-free.