When a child reaches adolescence, many changes take place in their body. Hair growth is one of the most noticeable of these changes, and can often be annoying for some teenagers. Teens have a tendency to be overly sensitive about their hair growth, especially when it appears in a less desirable area of the body such as the face or arms. Girls are usually more sensitive about this than boys. What can they do about it? Laser hair removal might be an option.
How Laser Hair Removal Works for Teenagers
A teenager with unwanted hair might not want to shave just yet, or use wax and other methods because these methods can encourage more rapid hair growth in a teen whose body is not fully mature. Laser hair removal is an option to consider, but should be decided by both the parent and the teen. All laser hair removal clinics require a parent or legal guardian's consent to perform the procedure on a child under 18 years of age.
Laser hair removal works the same for teens as it does for adults. In the latest technology, a laser light called intense pulsed light (IPL) is used to destroy hair follicles where the unwanted hair appears. The procedure is safe for teens, but they should be aware of how the procedure works beforehand. Knowing what to expect will make the visit more pleasant.
Possible Side Effects for Teenagers
The side effects of laser hair removal have been lessened tremendously with the latest IPL technology. However, teens should be aware of the possibility of side effects. A reddening of the area treated can occur for several days after a laser procedure so the patient will want to plan the days after carefully. Having the procedure during a school holiday week or the summer months might be a good idea. Also, the hair will not disappear immediately. It will usually thicken first, then fall away within a week or two, so expectations of the actual visit should not be set too high. Swelling in the treated area can also occur for several hours after treatment.
Teens should also understand that several visits might be required to remove all the unwanted hair. Four visits are the average, but it might take less depending on the amount of hair that needs to be removed, and the color of the patient's hair and skin.
Drawbacks of Laser Hair Removal for Teenagers
Laser hair removal might not be the best option for some teens. One reason is the cost. Laser hair removal can be expensive for teens because it is not permanent. A teen's hair growth process is usually not mature, so more treatments might be required soon to keep the unwanted hair away. After a treatment or session, hair will usually stay gone for around six months. After this period, hair begins to grow again. A teen's hair growth is sometimes more rapid than an adult's, so the laser hair removal procedure might have to be repeated.
Another reason is laser hair removal doesn't always work with every type of hair or skin. The affects are usually best with the combined light skin and dark hair. Blond, white and gray hairs lack pigment, so the treatment is not effective or success rates can be very limited. The teen and parent(s) should consult with a laser hair removal specialist to decide if treatment is best.
Tanning and Laser Hair Removal
Another thing to consider for teens is whether or not they tan their body frequently, either in the sunlight or a tanning facility. A tanned body does not react to laser hair removal positively in many cases. The reason? Tanned skin can prevent some of the laser energy from reaching the hair follicles because the darker the skin, the more light energy it absorbs. When the skin absorbs much of the light, the hair follicles are deprived of the light, and the skin might also be burned during the procedure, causing discomfort. Before the procedure, teens should avoid tanning for as long as possible by wearing strong sunscreen while outdoors.
Fortunately, there are new methods coming on the scene to help those with tanned or dark skin as well. As technology and techniques improve, so are more positive results for people of all skin and hair types. One example is super long-pulse technology, which spreads out the light energy over a longer period of time instead of using intense, fast treatments. The skin is not affected, and more hair follicles can be reached successfully. There are many types of lasers and treatment methods on the market, so the right type of specialist and equipment should be sought out before considering treatment.
Teens can benefit from laser hair removal if they are prepared for the procedure and possible side effects. A successful procedure can help build confidence and provide a safe, simple way to get rid of unwanted hair.
by Candice Pardue.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Risks
Risks include the chance of burning the skin or discoloring dark skin with the laser, hypopigmentation (white spots), flare of acne, [7] swelling around the follicle, scab forming, and purpura.
In some countries, laser hair removal has not yet been approved for use due to uncertainty about potential side effects.
wikipedia.org
In some countries, laser hair removal has not yet been approved for use due to uncertainty about potential side effects.
wikipedia.org
Other uses
Hair removal lasers are effective treatment for pseudofolliculitis barbae (commonly called ingrown hairs or "shaving bumps"). For darker skin patients with black hair, the long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser with a cooling tip can be safe and effective when used by an experienced practitioner.
They have recently been reported as helpful treatment for pilonidal cysts, since they eliminate the ingrown hairs that produce the troublesome foreign body reactions in this congenital malady.
wikipedia.org
They have recently been reported as helpful treatment for pilonidal cysts, since they eliminate the ingrown hairs that produce the troublesome foreign body reactions in this congenital malady.
wikipedia.org
Intervals between sessions
Usually, treatments are spaced 3–12 weeks apart to start, although the spacing depends upon individual response to treatment. Instead of following an arbitrary schedule, you should wait until you have experienced shedding of the treated hairs, which should complete within 2-3.5 weeks, and see enough hair come in after the hair-free period to have another treatment. Treatment spacing also depends on area treated as hair cycles vary based on the body part. For example, women’s faces usually require more frequent treatments, whereas backs and legs require less frequent treatments.
wikipedia.org
wikipedia.org
Number of sessions
Multiple treatments, usually 5-7, but as many as 12, depending on the type of hair and skin color have been shown in practice to provide long-term reduction of hair. Current parameters suggest a series of treatments spaced at 4–6 weeks apart for most areas, although the timing of treatments has still not been standardized.[6]
The number of sessions depends on various parameters, including the area of the body treated, skin color, coarseness of hair, and sex. Coarse dark hair on light skin is easiest to treat. Finer hair and hair on darker skin is harder to treat and may require more treatments. Certain areas (notably men's and women's faces) may require considerably more treatments to achieve desired results. In addition, since hair grows in several phases, (anagen, telogen, catagen), and laser can only affect the currently active growing follicles, (anagen), several sessions are needed to kill hair in all phases of growth.[citations needed]
It's important to note that laser does not work on light hair and very fine and vellus hair ("peachfuzz"). Laser hair removal is NOT permanent but it is long term and can be patchy. Electrolysis is the only permanent solution for those types of hair but has shortcomings such as possible scarring, expense, and discomfort, as noted above.
wikipedia.org
The number of sessions depends on various parameters, including the area of the body treated, skin color, coarseness of hair, and sex. Coarse dark hair on light skin is easiest to treat. Finer hair and hair on darker skin is harder to treat and may require more treatments. Certain areas (notably men's and women's faces) may require considerably more treatments to achieve desired results. In addition, since hair grows in several phases, (anagen, telogen, catagen), and laser can only affect the currently active growing follicles, (anagen), several sessions are needed to kill hair in all phases of growth.[citations needed]
It's important to note that laser does not work on light hair and very fine and vellus hair ("peachfuzz"). Laser hair removal is NOT permanent but it is long term and can be patchy. Electrolysis is the only permanent solution for those types of hair but has shortcomings such as possible scarring, expense, and discomfort, as noted above.
wikipedia.org
Laser parameters that affect results
Several wavelengths of laser energy have been used for hair removal, from visible light to near-infrared radiation. These lasers are usually defined by the lasing medium used to create the wavelength (measured in nanometers (nm)):
* Argon: 488 or 514.5 nm (no longer used for hair removal)
* Ruby: 694 nm (no longer used for hair removal; not safe on most skin types as it frequently produces side effects such as pigmentary changes (lightening or darkening of the skin) or worse for patients of all but white skin.[citation needed]
* Alexandrite: 755 nm (most effective, but safest on light skin)
* Pulsed diode array: 810 nm (for light to medium type skin)
* Nd:YAG: 1064 nm (for darker skin; Yag is capable of treating all six skin colors. However, there is not sufficient evidence that this laser can produce effective long-term hair removal)
Pulsewidth is an important consideration. It has been observed in some published studies that longer pulse widths may be safer for darker skin. However, shorter wavelengths may be more effective in removing hair.
Spot size, or the width of the laser beam, affects treatment. Theoretically, the width of the ideal beam is about four times as wide as the target is deep. Hair removal lasers have a round spot about the size of your finger (8-18 mm). Larger spot sizes help make treatments faster and more effective.
Fluence or energy level is another important consideration. Fluence is measured in joules per square centimeter (J/cm²). It's important to get treated at high enough settings to cause permanent damage to the hair follicles.
Repetition rate is believed to have a cumulative effect, based on the concept of thermal relaxation time. Shooting two or three pulses at the same target with a specific delay between pulses can cause a slight improvement in the heating of an area. This may increase the "kill rate" for each treatment slightly.
Epidermal cooling has been determined to allow higher fluences and reduce pain and side effects, especially in darker skin. Four types of cooling have been developed:
* Clear gel: usually chilled
* Contact cooling: through a window cooled by circulating water or internal cryogen.
* Cryogen spray: immediately before/after the laser pulse
* Air cooling: forced cold air at -34 degrees C (Zimmer Cryo 5 unit)
wikipedia.org
* Argon: 488 or 514.5 nm (no longer used for hair removal)
* Ruby: 694 nm (no longer used for hair removal; not safe on most skin types as it frequently produces side effects such as pigmentary changes (lightening or darkening of the skin) or worse for patients of all but white skin.[citation needed]
* Alexandrite: 755 nm (most effective, but safest on light skin)
* Pulsed diode array: 810 nm (for light to medium type skin)
* Nd:YAG: 1064 nm (for darker skin; Yag is capable of treating all six skin colors. However, there is not sufficient evidence that this laser can produce effective long-term hair removal)
Pulsewidth is an important consideration. It has been observed in some published studies that longer pulse widths may be safer for darker skin. However, shorter wavelengths may be more effective in removing hair.
Spot size, or the width of the laser beam, affects treatment. Theoretically, the width of the ideal beam is about four times as wide as the target is deep. Hair removal lasers have a round spot about the size of your finger (8-18 mm). Larger spot sizes help make treatments faster and more effective.
Fluence or energy level is another important consideration. Fluence is measured in joules per square centimeter (J/cm²). It's important to get treated at high enough settings to cause permanent damage to the hair follicles.
Repetition rate is believed to have a cumulative effect, based on the concept of thermal relaxation time. Shooting two or three pulses at the same target with a specific delay between pulses can cause a slight improvement in the heating of an area. This may increase the "kill rate" for each treatment slightly.
Epidermal cooling has been determined to allow higher fluences and reduce pain and side effects, especially in darker skin. Four types of cooling have been developed:
* Clear gel: usually chilled
* Contact cooling: through a window cooled by circulating water or internal cryogen.
* Cryogen spray: immediately before/after the laser pulse
* Air cooling: forced cold air at -34 degrees C (Zimmer Cryo 5 unit)
wikipedia.org
Mechanism of action
The primary principle behind laser hair removal is selective photothermolysis (SPTL).[4] Lasers can cause localized damage by selectively heating dark target matter, (melanin), in the area that causes hair growth, (the follicle), while not heating the rest of the skin. Light is absorbed by dark objects, so laser energy can be absorbed by dark material in the skin (but with much more speed and intensity). This dark target matter, or chromophore, can be naturally-occurring or artificially introduced.
Hair removal lasers selectively target melanin:
* Melanin is considered the primary chromophore for all hair removal lasers currently on the market. Melanin occurs naturally in the skin (it gives skin and hair its color). There are two types of melanin in hair: eumelanin (which gives hair brown or black color) and pheomelanin (which gives hair blonde or red color). Because of the selective absorption of photons of laser light, only black or brown hair can be removed.
Both men and women seek laser hair removal services to have superfluous or unwanted hair removed. Hair removal is commonly done on lip, chin, ear lobe, shoulders, back, underarm, abdomen, buttocks, pubic area, bikini lines, thighs, face, neck, cleavage, chest, arms, legs, hands, and toes.
Laser works best with dark coarse hair. Light skin and dark hair are an ideal combination, but new lasers are now able to target dark black hair even in patients with dark skin.[citations needed]
Hair removal lasers have been in use since 1997 and the Food and Drug Administration approved it for “permanent hair reduction.” Laser hair removal has become extremely popular because of its speed and efficacy, although some of the efficacy is dependent upon the skill and experience of the laser operator, and the choice and availability of different laser technology at the clinic which is performing the procedure. Some will need touch-up treatments, especially on large areas, after the initial set of 3-8 treatments. It has also been observed that some people seem to be non-responders – this is not confirmed and reasons are not known, and may in fact be due to lack of skill on the part of many laser operators and/or the type of machine and settings they are using.[citations needed]
Electrolysis is another hair removal method that has been used for over 135 years.[5] At this time, it is the only permanent option for very fine and light-colored hair. The FDA currently allows the term "Permanent Hair Removal" for electrolysis only. Unlike laser epilation, electrolysis is effective on all hair colors.
wikipedia.org
Hair removal lasers selectively target melanin:
* Melanin is considered the primary chromophore for all hair removal lasers currently on the market. Melanin occurs naturally in the skin (it gives skin and hair its color). There are two types of melanin in hair: eumelanin (which gives hair brown or black color) and pheomelanin (which gives hair blonde or red color). Because of the selective absorption of photons of laser light, only black or brown hair can be removed.
Both men and women seek laser hair removal services to have superfluous or unwanted hair removed. Hair removal is commonly done on lip, chin, ear lobe, shoulders, back, underarm, abdomen, buttocks, pubic area, bikini lines, thighs, face, neck, cleavage, chest, arms, legs, hands, and toes.
Laser works best with dark coarse hair. Light skin and dark hair are an ideal combination, but new lasers are now able to target dark black hair even in patients with dark skin.[citations needed]
Hair removal lasers have been in use since 1997 and the Food and Drug Administration approved it for “permanent hair reduction.” Laser hair removal has become extremely popular because of its speed and efficacy, although some of the efficacy is dependent upon the skill and experience of the laser operator, and the choice and availability of different laser technology at the clinic which is performing the procedure. Some will need touch-up treatments, especially on large areas, after the initial set of 3-8 treatments. It has also been observed that some people seem to be non-responders – this is not confirmed and reasons are not known, and may in fact be due to lack of skill on the part of many laser operators and/or the type of machine and settings they are using.[citations needed]
Electrolysis is another hair removal method that has been used for over 135 years.[5] At this time, it is the only permanent option for very fine and light-colored hair. The FDA currently allows the term "Permanent Hair Removal" for electrolysis only. Unlike laser epilation, electrolysis is effective on all hair colors.
wikipedia.org
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