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Lightsheer Hair Removal

Unwanted Hair

Let's face it, excess body hair can be unsightly and embarrassing. Shaving, plucking, waxing and depilatory creams provide temporary fixes that are inconvenient, irritating, messy and only temporary. Electrolysis is time consuming, sometimes painful, and is useful only in removing hair from small areas.

Excess and unwanted hair is a common problem. Women frequently experience this condition on the face, especially the upper lip or eyebrow area and on other parts of the body. Men also have unwanted hair in the areas of face, more commonly the eyebrow and neck areas.

Advanced technology lasers and light sources are rapidly changing hair removal treatment, providing gentle, non-invasive and long-lasting solutions to unwanted hair. Among laser and light-based devices, the LightSheerˇ˝ Diode Laser System and the IPLˇ˝ provide safety, superior results and patient satisfaction.

Before
After

Before lightsheer
After Lightsheer

What is Unwanted Hair?
Unwanted hair is a problem shared by both men and women. In many cases the condition runs in families. Race can also be a factor - whites are more prone to having excess facial hair than are Asians and blacks. Some people experience unwanted or excess hair from the time they reach puberty; others find it to be a condition that gets worse with age. Some women experience additional hair growth during pregnancy or menopause. Women who experience sudden hair growth should consult with their physicians, as this may be a sign of other medical conditions.

Hair does not come in any one size or type. Follicles in different parts of the body produce differing types of hair. Hair can grow in thick, bushy patches or in long, thin strands. In addition, hair is produced in follicles that can be found at different depths and densities - as close to the skin's surface as a millimeter or as deep as five millimeters or more. Until recently, this great variety in hair types and body locations made long-lasting hair removal a significant challenge.   

Typical Treatments

Tweezing and Shaving: The most basic approach to removing unwanted hair has been the trusty tweezers - their use goes back to ancient Rome. The drawbacks of this approach are pretty obvious; in addition to being painful and time-consuming, plucking is only a short-term solution as the hair invariably grows back. Shaving unwanted hair is another quick, yet ultimately ineffective way to permanently rid oneself of excess hair.

Creams: Millions of dollars have been spent on messy chemical depilatory creams, which can cause redness and irritation, while having no permanent effect on unwanted hair. Consumers have found newer, "organic" hair removal creams to be less offensive to the skin, but they have not proved any more effective at getting rid of hair. Prescription creams often provide good results, but they must be used at least twice per day, and never provide a permanent solution.

Waxing: Waxing is quite popular, especially among women. This method only provides hair-free results for two to four weeks. Many people find the process painful, and waxing can cause skin irritation and ingrown hairs.

Electrolysis: Electrolysis is generally an effective means of hair removal, but this technique can be painful, time-consuming and expensive. During electrolysis, an electric current passes through a needle to destroy each individual hair root. It typically takes months and numerous visits to clear even small areas, such as the upper lip.

Harnessing the Power of the Laser

New Treatment Options: Lightsheer and IPL

Innovative, light-based devices have revolutionized the treatment of unwanted hair, offering gentle, effective and convenient solutions for both men and women. Both the LightSheer Diode Laser System and Intense Pulsed Light System (IPL) use targeted flashes of light to block the regrowth potential of the hair follicle. These treatments do not damage surrounding tissue and each device targets numerous hair follicles simultaneously, allowing for the treatment of large areas quickly and effectively.

What to Expect

The length of an individual treatment may last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more, depending on the size of the area being treated. The number of treatments required depends on several factors related to specific kinds of hair and skin. It is important to understand that hairs in an active growth phase (anagen) are most affected by treatments. Since all hairs are not in this phase at the same time, several treatments are necessary to achieve the best results. Practitioners design customized treatment programs, and give patients an estimate of how many sessions may be needed in order to meet expectations.

The treatment may cause some minor discomfort - patients often describe it as a slight tingling or compare it to a pinch or the sting of a snapped rubber band. Most patients tolerate the procedure well; topical anesthesia is rarely required, but may be an option when treating more sensitive areas.

The appearance of the treated area immediately following a session will vary from patient to patient, though side effects are rare. Any swelling or redness at the treatment site typically goes away within a couple hours, and most people are able to return to normal activity immediately. The best news is that many of the unwanted hairs are gone at the end of the treatment.