How would you like to have smooth and silky skin for life? Permanent laser hair removal can make that a reality.
Forget about shaving and razor burn, the monthly expense of waxing, and chemical depilatories that irritate your skin! All of these hair removal treatments are extremely hard on your skin. From causing razor burn, rashes, and ingrown hairs to stripping layers of skin off with waxing, all in the name of smoother skin.
Watch the video : An introduction to permanent laser hair removal
It doesn’t have to be that way!
Here at AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare our skilled laser hair removal specialists use state of the art laser technology to remove all that unwanted hair, permanently and with zero damage to your skin!
You will never again have to worry about getting ready for bikini season. You’ll be bikini ready all year long! It’s that simple.
Explore the photos below to see individual patient results before and after laser hair removal.
Explore the photos below to see individual patient results before and after laser hair removal.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Darker hair responds more easily to laser treatment, but even the lightest color hair can be eradicated.
Dark pigment (melanin) in the hair shaft and the papilla (hair follicle root) are targeted by a specific light-energy emitted by the laser. The treatment region is treated with a monochromatic laser or a broadband strong pulsed light of a specific wavelength absorbed largely by melanin.
Melanin will heat up as it absorbs light energy. Thermal diffusion causes this heat to heat the neighboring follicular structure. The heat is applied at just the proper temperature to cause thermal damage to the hair and follicular structure while preserving the skin around it.
In other words, in a fraction of a second, the hair is simply vaporized without damaging the skin or any surrounding tissue.
The Anatomy of a Hair
A hair follicle is made up of three parts: the infundibulum, the isthmus, and the hair bulb. The inferior section of the hair follicle contains the hair bulb and dermal pilli and is located below the arrector pilli muscle insertion.
The hair bulb is composed of germinative matrix cells interspersed with melanocytes.
The dermal papilla is made up of dermal sheath cells and is positioned near the base of the hair bulb. It has a plentiful blood supply, which provides nutrients for the growth of new hair.
The bulge is about one-third of the way from the skin’s surface to the bulb and includes pluripotent stem cells. The hair development centers are the matrix cells in the bulb, the dermal papilla, and the outer root sheath and dermal sheath in the bulge.
Hair Grows in 3 Phases
Hair grows in cycles, alternating between a growing (anagen) phase and a dormant (telogen) phase. The mature phase (catagen) is the interval between the two.
- The active growth phase – the part of the follicle that actually generates the hair (the papilla) is present and is growing a hair.
- The mature phase – when the hair has stopped growing and the papilla has disappeared.
- The dormant phase – the follicle is preparing to “shed” the old hair (exfoliation) and cycle back to the active growth phase.
Human hair goes through a life and growth cycle. This cycle has three stages: anagen, catagen, and talogen. The duration of the hair cycle as well as the length of each stage, varies greatly from person to person depending on anatomic location, age, gender, hormones, season, and genetics.
On average, a hair follicle will cycle through these phases every 4-12 weeks, depending on which part of the body is growing the hair. When dark hair is treated, it’s always vaporized regardless of the phase. However, the follicle itself will stop making hair only if treated during the active growth phase when the hair shaft is still connected to the papilla, making it vulnerable to the laser energy destroying it.
Therefore, permanent laser hair removal can only be accomplished during the anagen or the active growing period. That is why it takes several treatments precisely spread apart to achieve total hair removal.
Darker Hair Vs Lighter Hair
It’s the pigment (melanin) in the hair that actually absorbs laser energy. So the darker the hair, the more laser energy is absorbed, ensuring hair vaporization and papilla destruction.
The darker the hair, the more laser energy is absorbed. Therefore thick jet-black hair is the easiest to remove.
Additionally, the thicker the hair, the more laser energy is absorbed. Think of the hair shaft as a lightning rod. The thicker the rod, the more electricity it absorbs. Thick jet-black hair is the easiest to remove.
Patients with light blonde, grey or white hair without sufficient melanin will need to apply a specially formulated pharmaceutical gel, which infuses the follicle with a substance that mimics melanin and absorbs laser energy.
The Laser Hair Removal Treatment
To achieve permanent hair removal, a series of laser hair removal treatments approximately 4-6 weeks apart are usually required. That is to ensure that every follicle is treated in the active growth phase when the papilla is present.
There are an immense array of lasers available for laser hair removal nowadays. Diode lasers, Ruby lasers, Alexandrite lasers, Nd-YAG lasers and IPL devices. The size of the region covered by each laser energy pulse varies depending on the device.
Works on Both Dark Skin and Light Skin
It used to be that darker skin was very difficult to treat because the energy of the laser absorbed by the hair was also being absorbed by the pigment in the skin. Since then, more advanced lasers with different energy frequencies have been developed to bypass the pigment in the skin altogether, and absorb directly into the follicle, destroying the follicle’s hair-making capability.
Watch the video : Laser hair removal on dark skin
Please watch the video above. For information regarding the challenges, truths and misconceptions of darker skin and lasers, visit our Darker Skin FAQ page.
Does it Hurt?
In one pulse lasting a fraction of a second, the laser removes hair on a patch of skin the size of a quarter. The laser hair removal sensation feels like a hair being plucked or getting snapped by a rubber band.
The lasers incorporate a patented, state-of-the-art, integrated cooling system acting as a natural anesthetic, cooling down the skin to minimize any discomfort. Patients unanimously report that the hair removal treatment is a “piece of cake” compared to waxing.
Topical Anesthetic is Available
Although laser hair removal treatments are comfortable for 75% to 80% of patients we have a proprietary topical anesthetic containing lidocaine available for those who are particularly sensitive. The anesthetic takes 30 minutes to 1 hour to take effect during which you can relax in our massage chairs.
Explore the photos below to get an in-depth view of the permanent laser hair removal treatment.
Explore the photos below to get an in-depth view of the permanent laser hair removal treatment.
Different Areas of the Body that can be Treated
Almost any part of the body can be treated with laser hair removal. Here we will touch on each area to give you a better understanding of what to expect during treatment.
Laser Hair Removal Specific to Women
Laser hair removal on the legs using a diode laser.
Permanent Removal of Facial Hair
The face is the most often requested treatment location by patients. For many years, women have used temporary hair removal treatments such as waxing, plucking, threading, and electrolysis.
For women with skin type 1 and very fine hair, laser hair removal is not very effective due to their hairs low melanin content.
Darker skinned women who suffer from Pseudofolliculitis barbae have excellent results with laser hair removal. Ingrown hairs, hair lumps, and inflammatory pigmentation on the face and neck caused by this disorder are effectively reduced. To preserve the good results acheived regular follow-up treatments will be needed.
Interestingly, women from South Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East respond effectively to laser hair removal on their chin and lip areas but do not respond well on their cheek and forehead areas. Why this is is not fully understood
Permanent Removal of Chest and Breast Hair
Chest hair between or above the breasts responds well to laser hair removal and all areas can be treated safely.
Short-wavelength lasers can be used to safely treat the areola due to its lack of melanin.
Bikini Area Permanently Hair Free
This region responds nicely to laser hair removal and only needs a topical anesthetic 25% of the time.
All regions, including the periclitoral and perianal areas, can be treated.
Women with fair skin should exercise caution since the top of the leg and medial thigh may have been exposed to the sun when wearing a swimsuit. To lessen the likelihood of hyperpigmentation, these sun-exposed regions may require less laser energy.
Laser Hair Removal Specific to Men
The flash of a laser hair removal device on a man’s chest.
Facial Hair Permanently Removed
Laser hair removal of the beard produces outstanding results. A lot of laser energy is absorbed by the hair because it is so coarse and dense. This causes a lot of heat which can lead to irritation especially during the first few treatments.
The hair of the beard area is never permanently gone. Shaving is still necessary, albeit less regularly. Men typically reduce their shaving to twice weekly following laser hair removal. Also, shaving is significantly easier since the remaining hair is much finer.
Many men elect to have hair removal of the beard as it will significantly decrease the incidence of ingrown hairs.
Chest and Abdomen Hair Permanently Removed
These two locations are coarse, thick, and extremely sensitive, necessitating the administration of topical anesthetic prior to laser treatment.
When removing hair from both the chest and back it is best to alternate between the 2 areas. The area will be sensitive after treatment so having one or the other to lie down on is beneficial.
What to Expect After Laser Hair Removal Treatment
Expect a little pink / red “puffiness” and small bumps like “goose bumps (follicular edema) immediately after the treatment. The area may feel as if it was sun burned. These symptoms should subside within a few hours (2 – 3 days at most).
Approximately 1-3 weeks after the treatment, treated hair will push its way out of the skin to eventually fall out (exfoliation). It may even seem that the hair is growing. Don’t worry, the hair is “dead” and is simply being pushed “over board” by healthy skin doing some house cleaning.
Maintenance Treatments
With time, typical skin will grow new hair from newly active follicles that have never before been active. This is a common occurrence due to normal life changes, maturation, aging and hormonal cycles for both men and women.
The new diode laser hair removal device.
Therefore, even after a thorough and effective series of laser hair removal treatments clearing all the hair from a given area, new hair may appear that will require an occasional touch-up treatment.
Laser Hair Removal FAQs
Q. Is laser hair removal safe?
A. Yes, it is completely safe. In fact, once your hair is permanently removed your skin will most likely be much happier and healthier. No longer will you need to do things that are hard on your skin such as waxing, shaving, threading or using depilatories. This will leave you skin much happier.
Q. Is it permanent? Does the hair grow back?
A. Yes. The root of the hair is targeted by the laser to kill the source of the hair growth. This also prevents that hair from regrowing in the future.
However, over time, skin can grow new hair from follicles that are newly activated. Meaning that the follicles where never active before and did not grow hair. Normal life changes make this a common occurrence such as aging, maturation and hormonal cycles for both women and men.
Therefore, even after series of hair removal treatments that have thoroughly removed all the hair from a specific area, it is possible that new hair will appear. This new hair growth can be easily removed with an occasional touch-up treatment.
Q. Does laser hair removal work on white hair?
A. It is the pigment (melanin) in you hair that absorbs the laser energy and vaporizes the follicle. Thus, laser hair removal is not effective on white hair as it has no melanin to target.
There is a substance called Meladine that will solve the problem. A liquid solution is introduced into your hair follicles that will absorb the laser energy. While this is not as effective as the natural melanin, it is an effective solution for treating white hair.
Q. Can laser hair removal also help to get rid of body order?
A. Body order is intensified in many cases by the the bacteria that live around and in the hair follicles. Therefore, the results of laser hair removal not only result in smoother and cleaner skin but also skin that smells much better.
Q. Can some of the hair come back the next day after treatment?
A. During the first few days following laser hair removal some the hair that was treated will fall out. Don’t worry, this is not new hair growth. The exposed portion of the hair was vaporized by the laser and the unexposed portion of the hair is now being pushed out. It can appear as new hair growth, but is not.
Q. Which laser do you recommend for darker skin?
A. For darker skin, the NdYAG 1064 is the laser frequency of choice.
Q. Can someone under 18 get this treatment?
A. Yes, someone under 18 years old CAN have laser hair removal…with a few conditions.
- Obviously, the young person’s parents need to give consent.
- Everyone needs to understand that while a young person is still going through puberty, where hormonal changes are still occurring, some of the areas where the hair was removed may yet grow new hair in the future. Of course, if that happens, the new hair can also be removed.
In general, once a person is past puberty, laser hair removal is 98% perfectly permanent!!
Q. Does it work on really hairy areas?
A. Yes. The penetration depth of the laser is affected by the density of hair at the treatment location. The denser the hair, the more energy that is absorbed by the melanin-rich hair shafts, limiting the penetration depth. With each successive treatment, the hair density decreases, resulting in deeper penetration of the energy. Therefore, deeper setting follicles, in a particularly hairy area will be vaporized in later treatment sessions than in earlier treatments.
Q. Can laser hair removal help with body order?
A. Yes. Body order is exacerbated by germs that dwell in and near hair follicles. In such instances, permanent hair removal frequently results in cleaner, smoother skin that smells much better!!
Learn More About Our Laser Treatments
References - Read the Science Behind Permanent Laser Hair Removal...
Everything on our website comes from from reputable publications, books and scientific journals, most of which are available on PubMed and other government websites. These include Meta-Analysis’, Randomized Controlled Trials, Clinical Trials, Systematic Reviews, Books and Documents. We encourage you to read the science, in order to separate fact from fiction, so that you can arrive at a full understanding of what is best for your skin. We would be honored to be a part of that educational journey with you.
- Vaidya T, Hohman MH, Kumar D D. Laser Hair Removal. 2023 Mar 1. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29939638.
- Nistico SP, Bennardo L, Bennardo S, Marigliano M, Zappia E, Silvestri M, Cannarozzo G. Comparing Traditional and in Motion Nd:YAG Laser in Hair Removal: A Prospective Study. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Sep 2;58(9):1205. doi: 10.3390/medicina58091205. PMID: 36143882; PMCID: PMC9503442.
- Ross EV, Domankevitz Y. Hair Removal With Blended 755/1064 nm Laser Energy. Lasers Surg Med. 2021 Oct;53(8):1020-1025. doi: 10.1002/lsm.23381. Epub 2021 Jan 28. PMID: 33508141.
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- Arsiwala SZ, Majid IM. Methods to overcome poor responses and challenges of laser hair removal in dark skin. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2019 Jan-Feb;85(1):3-9. doi: 10.4103/ijdvl.IJDVL_1103_16. PMID: 30027915.
- Thomas MM, Houreld NN. The “in’s and outs” of laser hair removal: a mini review. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2019;21(6):316-322. doi: 10.1080/14764172.2019.1605449. Epub 2019 Apr 24. PMID: 31018716.
- Gold MH, Weiss E, Biron J. Novel laser hair removal in all skin types. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023 Apr;22(4):1261-1265. doi: 10.1111/jocd.15674. Epub 2023 Feb 9. PMID: 36756716.
- Goldberg DJ. One-year follow-up results of hair removal using an 810 nm diode laser. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018 Oct;17(5):775-778. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12757. Epub 2018 Sep 24. PMID: 30251358.
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