Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular treatment for men and women who wish to look clean-shaven without having to bother with weekly or daily hair-removal procedures like shaving, waxing and chemical depilatories. Laser hair removal may be performed on virtually any area of the body, ranging from the very small (i.e. the upper lip) to the very large (i.e. the back).
The Appearance Care Center at The Maas Clinic uses the Lumenis Light Sheer laser, which is recognized as the gold standard for laser hair removal. It works by delivering pulses, each pulse lasting for just a fraction of a second. The associated heat damages the hair follicle and impairs its ability to re-grow. Significantly less hair grows back with each treatment, ultimately resulting in the desired outcome of permanent hair reduction. Not only is the idea of laser hair removal desirable from an aesthetic and convenience perspective, but it can also improve the health and appearance of the skin by reducing the incidence of skin disorders, like razor burn and folliculitis, which are directly linked to the presence of hair in the affected area.
Hair growth is cyclical and there are three phases in the cycle. The first phase is anagen (the active or growth cycle); the second phase is catagen (the dormant phase); and the last phase is telogen (the fall-out or shedding phase). Laser Hair Removal is most effective during the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. It is highly unlikely that every hair to be treated on a given day will be in the anagen phase, hence the need for multiple treatments.
Hair growth cycles differ on different parts of the body. Your skin and hair color, coarseness of hair as well as age, metabolism and other individual factors influence hair growth rate. To achieve optimal results, 4-6 treatments spaced at 4-6 week intervals is suggested. Laser hair removal treatments in San Francisco or Tahoe may be purchased in a series of 5 or individually.