LASER HAIR REDUCTION

Lasers have been used for many years for a variety of medical cosmetic procedures including treatment of facial and leg veins, age spots and rejuvenating the skin. At Erickson Dermatology we utilize a state-of-the art SPLENDOR X from Lumenis, which lets us customize hair removal and skin treatments across an infinite spectrum of skin tones like never before. The laser energy is transformed into heat, which destroys or damages the hair follicle leaving the surrounding skin unaffected. The skin is further protected during treatment with cooled air (a Dual Cooling System) allowing the treatment to be virtually painless.

Who is it good for?

Traditional hair removal techniques, such as shaving, tweezing, waxing provide only very temporary relief from unwanted hair and can be tedious. Until laser hair reduction, the only recognized way to remove hair permanently has been electrolysis -which can also be tedious, time-consuming and uncomfortable. Laser hair reduction safely removes unwanted body hair without damaging the delicate pores and structures of the skin. The SPLENDOR X allow us to treat the entire body in about 30 minutes!

If you choose to pursue laser hair reduction, avoid the sun for 4 to 6 weeks before treatment, and after or until your practitioner allows it. You will want to avoid electrolysis, tweezing, or waxing hair for six weeks prior to treatment. This is because the hair must be present to be treated. You may shave or trim the hair during this time.

The best candidates for this type of laser treatment have hair that is dark, though some light or blonde hairs can respond to treatment. Light hair may be treated with BBL, Click Here To Learn More about BroadBand Light. If you have a dark skin type, a lightening cream were bleaching product maybe started 4 to 6 weeks before treatment to optimize results.

What should I expect?

Depending on the amount of hair treated, the procedure varies from patient to patient. With this device we can treat an entire body in as little as 30 minutes. You will be asked to wear safety eyewear as a small handpiece delivers the laser light. A refreshing flow of cold air will be felt on the skin as the treatment is being perform to maximize comfort. The degree of discomfort varies with each person, depending on his/her pain threshold, but most can agree that it is very comfortable and virtually painless.

A test area may be done prior to your treatment. The full treatment may then be done on the same day or up to two weeks later, depending on the skin reaction. Patients can choose to treat a single area or multiple areas during each session. The treated area maybe come pink or a little red within 30 minutes of treatment; this may last from a few hours to a few days and is usually relieved to the application of ice or cooling gel.

How many treatments you need will very. Hair grows in cycles. The number of treatments require depends on your skin color, hair color and coarseness of the hair. Everyone will require at least a minimum 3-6 treatments, as this process is only effective on hair during the early growing cycle. Repeat sessions will be necessary to treat these follicles when they reenter the early growth phase. Sometimes, this can mean more than 10 treatments, with “touchups “in the following months or years to maintain.

You should discuss your desired results and the improvements that you expect to achieve with your practitioner. Together you can decide if your expectations will be met and if this laser treatment is the best option for you. Please call our office for a consultation, we are always happy to answer your questions!

VISIT

737 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 905
Chicago, IL 60611

PHONE

312.300.6858

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