Virginia Laser hair

Virginia Laser hair removal directory information

Laser hair removal is offered at a wide variety of Virginia cosmetic medical practices, including Virginia medical spas, Virginia dermatologists, and Virginia plastic surgeons.

In Virginia, laser hair removal is typically priced in a package of treatments, because the procedure is only effective in a series. Some hair removal lasers can treat all skin types and hair colors, although blond and gray hair tends to be the most difficult to eliminate.

Virginia laser hair removal clinics typically offer the treatment in a package or series. There is currently no single-treatment method for laser removal of hair. Every person's growth pattern is unique, so the amount of treatments will vary.

How does laser hair removal work?

Laser hair removal treatment involves the delivery of laser energy through the skin to the hair follicle beneath, where the energy is absorbed by the hair and transformed into heat. This process destroys the hair follicle, preventing new hair from growing.

Most laser hair removal devices are designed to target dark colors. The best candidates for permanent laser hair removal are those with very light skin and dark hair. Those with darker skin will benefit less because the darker pigment in the skin will absorb some of the laser light energy.

Side effects of laser hair removal can include blistering, changes in pigmentation, mild swelling, redness, and scarring.

Does laser hair removal hurt?

Some of the lasers on the market today vary greatly, and may or may not utilize a cooling device. A cooling device will increase the comfort level during the procedure by preventing the skin's upper layers from getting too hot while effectively treating the follicle below.

How many treatments of laser hair removal are required?

Most patients need to go through a cycle of four to eight treatments over a period of months. Even after completing the treatment, it is still possible to experience some scattered regrowth. The remaining hair may be removed by electrolysis or can be maintained conventionally with waxing or shaving.

Tips for consumers in Virginia considering laser hair removal

1. The practice of professional hair removal is generally regulated by Virginia state and local authorities. Check your state's guidelines for specifics.

2. If a topical anesthetic is required for treatment, discuss the circumstances under which the cream should be used, and verify whether the use is appropriate in your situation.

3. Verify that your provider is licensed and trained to provide laser hair removal.

4. Patients, especially those with darker skin tones, should carefully research the device to be used and be certain that the technology has been tested and proven safe and effective for your skin type

Laser hair removal was first introduced in the United States in 1995. Cosmetic Laser hair removal afforded the benefits of long-lasting hair removal in a much more rapid manner than electrolysis. Lasers used for cosmetic laser hair removal are well suited for the removal of unwanted facial or body hair because, with the right selection of laser and laser settings, they could be used as a non-invasive method to permanently disable the hair structure without damaging the surrounding skin. Also, numerous hair follicles can be treated simultaneously allowing for rapid coverage of large hair removal areas.

Hair removal had historically been achieved with techniques such as shaving, waxing, tweezing, electrolysis, or the use of hair removal creams and lotions. Of these hair removal techniques, the only technique that provided a long-lasting solution was electrolysis. However, this cosmetic hair removal technique is performed on one hair follicle at a time and makes the treatment of even small areas very time consuming.

Even though cosmeticlaser hair removal has generated great enthusiasm and experienced rapid growth, many limitations remained prior to the introduction of the CoolGlide® aesthetic laser system for laser hair removal. Previous existing lasers were not well suited to treat the broad range of people of color. In fact, most of the older cosmetic laser hair removal systems, and laser wavelengths, had a very narrow range of people who could be safely treated. Unfortunately in over zealous efforts, people of color suffered burns and scarring in the hands of the wrong equipment not suitable to use on their skin pigments.

In summary, cosmetic laser hair removal treatment for the removal of unwanted facial hair or body hair has been proved to be scientifically effective and is commonplace in the US and throughout the world today. Laser hair removal lasers stop these unwanted hairs from growing by damaging the 'root' or 'growth center' or 'bulb area' of the hair follicle. The only time that a laser hair removal laser can remove the hair follicle is when there is a hair shaft (target) in the follicle. Most of the hair follicles on the human body are empty (dormant) or not actively growing a hair. Since only approximately 25% to 35% of your hairs are actively growing at any time, these are the only ones that can be treated with the laser's energy. The dormant follicle is unaffected by the laser's energy. This explains why laser hair removal requires more than one treatment. It will usually require 4-5 treatments at different times to allow the hair follicle to grow a hair, i.e. the dormant follicles have to wake up. The follicles without a hair shaft (target) in them are not damaged by the laser's energy.

The cosmetic laser hair removal market was in need of an affordable laser hair removal system that allowed for the safe treatment of a wider range of skin types and the ability to effectively and rapidly treat large areas. The CoolGlide® and CoolGlide® Excel were the first long pulse ND:YAG laser systems (1064 nm) to receive clearance to claim permanent hair reduction. According to the FDA, permanent hair reduction can be defined as the long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing after a treatment regimen. This capability has been demonstrated in a long-term laser hair removal clinical study.