Laser Hair Removal

Woman's smooth legs
Laser Hair Reduction - Plastic Surgery San Francisco California

Reduces the amount of undesirable hair on the body.

The Laser Hair Removal Procedure

Traditional hair removal techniques such as shaving, plucking and waxing provide only temporary relief and may actually stimulate hair growth. Electrolysis, while effective, often requires years of ongoing and frequently painful treatment. All of these methods can result in scarring, allergic reactions, and ingrown hairs. Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment inside the follicle most frequently without damaging delicate pores and structures of the skin. Because hair cycles through “growth” and dormant” phases, and because during the “dormant” phase, the hair shaft has little or no pigment, at least 3 – 5 treatments will be needed.

No local anesthesia is required, although some patients like to use a topical numbing cream in advance of the treatment. The number of areas treated determines the amount of time each treatment will take. It is important for the patient to have some hair growth at the time of the consultation so that Dr. Kulick can evaluate the density and color of the hair. For the best results, it is important that you do not have a tan when starting your treatments.

During the treatment, the patient will wear protective eyewear and Dr. Kulick or his nurse will treat you. First, a cool, clear gel is applied to the area to be treated and then a small hand piece or “wand” is placed against the gel and the energy from the laser penetrates into the hair follicle. Patients report that they feel warmth and a slight stinging but that the treatment is tolerable.

After Laser Hair Removal Treatment

Adverse side effects to a laser hair reduction treatment are rare. Patients can return to work after treatments and in general, have no pain. You may experience some slight reddening or local swelling at the hair follicle site, but this typically goes away within hours. Limiting sun exposure before and after treatment will minimize the risk of complications. Patients experience a permanent reduction in the number of re-growing hairs following each treatment in most skin types. Although a customized treatment program will be designed for you with an estimate of the number of treatments, additional treatments may be needed to further reduce the number of hairs and meet your expectations. Additional factors can contribute to hair re-growth such as hormones, medication, physical conditions, etc.

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