Laser Hair Removal: Does It Work? Is it Safe?
Laser Hair Removal: Does It Work? Is it Safe? Raleigh North Carolina Laser Hair Removal expert and board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Law Provide guidelines to consumers for choosing the appropriate Laser Hair Removal system and clinic.
(PRWEB) February 13, 2005 -- Raleigh Laser Hair Removal expert and board
certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Law Provides guidelines to consumers for
choosing the appropriate Laser Hair Removal system and clinic.
Laser hair
removal has come a long way since the first laser for hair removal received FDA
clearance in the mid 1990’s. Older generation lasers were very slow, very
painful and worked only on individuals with very dark hair and very light skin.
Today, lasers can work on all skin colors and some lasers are even safe for
treating tanned skinned.
-Physician Supervision
Many laser hair
removal centers today operate without a physician. It is important to be certain
that a board certified physician is on the premises and available in case of a
concern. To determine whether or not a physician is board certified, go to www.abms.org. Board certified
plastic surgeons can be found at www.plasticsurgery.org
-Topical Numbing
Preparations
These drugs are designed to help make laser treatments more
comfortable but are totally unnecessary if using a laser with a DCD cooling
system. If a patient uses a laser that requires topical numbing with a cream, he
or she should be aware of all possible complications and contraindications in
order to make an informed decision. In high concentrations, when used
inapropriately, these drugs can be very dangerous.
-Cooling
System
Each laser has a different way of cooling the skin. Some lasers use a
topical cooling gel, others use a chilled tip. The most consistent, comfortable
and safest way to cool the skin is with a Dynamic Cooling Device or DCD. Lasers
that cool the skin using a DCD are very comfortable and there is no need for
topical numbing preparations
-Spot Size
The spot size of a laser
determines how much skin area can be covered per laser pulse. Lasers with larger
spot sizes (18 mm)can cover more area much more quickly. For example, a laser
hair removal treatment of the back or full legs could take as long as 2 hours
with older lasers. Today, these areas can be completely treated in less than 20
minutes. The spot size not only determines the speed and comfort of the
treatment, but the efficacy as well.
-Treatment Packages
Laser Hair
Removal works on hair while it is in the growth phase only. At any given time,
between 20% to 40% of the hair on any face or body area may be in a growth
phase. Multiple treatments are required for complete clearance of the hair.
However, each person may respond slightly differently. Laser hair removal
centers should charge for just one treatment at a time. A reputable medical
office or medical spa offering laser hair removal will offer individual
treatments and not insist on payment of multiple treatments up
front.
-Pricing
Because lasers for hair removal are much faster today
than ever before, prices should be lower as well. An office offering laser hair
removal can charge less for a laser hair removal treatment of the legs taking
just 20 minutes vs. a 2 hour treatment with an older generation laser. Avoid
centers offering “specials” on treatment packages, particularly if there is
pressure to buy because a "special" is set to expire.
A complimentary
consultation should be available for you to visit the facility, meet the laser
technician and experience a spot test with the laser.
Staff members at a
laser hair removal center should be able to answer questions not just about the
laser they use, but about all lasers available for hair removal.
Blue
Water Spa is a Plastic Surgery Medical Spa owned and operated by board-certified
plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Law.
Dr. Law is the only solo practice
plastic surgeon voted among the best in North Carolina 2003 and 2004. He has
been featured in many national magazines and interviewed for news programs, but
he has declined invitations to participate in plastic surgery reality television
programs. Blue Water Spa has been voted best day spa in the region by Citysearch
http://triangle.citysearch.com/best/results/8552/?ulink=section__mainwellslot1_510___best__1
and has received the Metro Bravo Award for best day spa 2003 and
2004.
Kile Law, president of Blue Water Spa was recently appointed to the
2005 board of directors for the National Day Spa Association www.dayspaassocation.com. She is one of ten individuals
nationwide chosen for this prestigious position. Blue Water Spa has been
featured in cover articles of many national magazines and spa publications such
as the Medical Spa Report www.medicalspareport.com. For more information, go to www.bluewaterspa.com
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/2/prweb208386.htm