The laser energy passes through the skin and is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle. In a fraction of a second, all of the treated hair follicles are disabled.

Removing unwanted hair has become one of the most-requested cosmetic procedures for both women and men. And with today’s advanced laser systems, hair removal is faster, easier, gentler and longer-lasting than ever.

Laser hair removal works by sending a beam of light to a group of hair follicles. The laser light has enough power to disable or destroy the hair root but not to harm the adjacent skin. The laser beam finds the hair follicles by targeting melanin, the substance that gives skin and hair their dark color. That’s why the ideal candidate for laser hair removal has dark hair and light skin, although newer laser technologies make it possible for people with various skin- and hair-color combinations to enjoy the benefits of laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal can be performed on virtually any part of the body, including the face, underarms, legs, arms, back and bikini area.

Patients have described the sensation of laser hair removal as similar to that of having a rubber band snapped against the skin, along with a feeling of heat. Depending on the type of laser used, a cool laser tip, gel or spray is always used to increase patient comfort. A topical anesthetic that numbs the skin also can be used. After treatment, the area treated will be red and may feel like it’s been sunburned; a cold compress can help ease any discomfort.

Most patients will need three to six treatments for optimal results. This is because the hair follicle can only be destroyed during the active phase of its growth cycle, and not all our hair follicles are on the same cycle. So multiple treatments staggered over several weeks or months generally are required (Contour Dermatology offers specially priced packages of 3 and 5 treatments to help patients achieve the best possible long-term results). Permanent hair removal is the goal of laser treatment; some patients, however, may experience some hair regrowth, but the hair is usually finer and lighter in color than before.

“One of the advantages patients appreciate most about laser hair removal is that large areas like the back, arms and legs can be effectively treated in a relatively short time, since thousands of hairs can be ‘zapped’ in a single session,” says Dr. Jochen. In fact, laser treatment of a back can take one hour, while electrolysis of a back can take over 100 hours!