Laser hair removal should be a great experience
The number of advertisements for salons and day spas that provide laser hair removal is growing, but consumers should not make a hasty decision when planning to undergo the procedure.
Laser hair removal is a medical procedure and consumers should know the experience and training of anyone they choose to perform that procedure on them, said Ramsey Markus, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine.
“In my opinion, patients should find a doctor who has experience with the skin – preferably a dermatologist or plastic surgeon,” said Markus. ”It doesn’t take that type of experience to fire up the laser, but it does take that type of experience to properly deal with the complications that may arise.”
Laser hair removal can cause scarring or skin pigmentation changes.
“There is never a guarantee there won’t be complications, but if you’re treated by someone who is well-trained, that person may be able to minimize the complications and better deal with them if they occur,” he said.
Consumers should also ask the person performing the procedure what additional training they have received, he said. Recent fellowships in laser surgery or additional training in cosmetic surgery are always a plus.
Markus recommends avoiding any salon or facility performing the procedure without a trained physician present to supervise. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery also recommends that all non-physician personnel performing laser procedures be both supervised by a trained medical doctor and have appropriate training in the pre- and post- operative care involved.
When done properly, laser hair removal can be performed quickly and comfortably during an outpatient visit. Results are permanent and side effects are minimal. Patients can resume normal activities immediately with minimal care to the treated area.
Patients can apply an anesthetic cream to the body prior to surgery to alleviate pain from the laser.
“After treatment, the area feels and looks much like a sunburn that typically lasts one to two days,” he said. “Cool compresses and moisturizers are recommended. The area will heal quickly and is usually pain free the next day.”
The results are usually predictable, according to Markus. Ninety percent of patients have permanent hair loss. Only about 10 percent do not experience hair loss. After each session (most patients need four to five sessions for complete hair loss), the treated hairs are stunned and fall out. On average, approximately a third of the hairs treated during each session never return.
Depending on the part of the body treated, pricing can range from $50 to $650.
