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Techniques for hair removal include electrolysis, laser, and intense light therapy. While all techniques can significantly reduce hair density, none of them can guarantee complete elimination of all hair.

Like the moon, hair goes through different phases in growth. Depending on the area of your body, at any time, up to 80% of hair can be in a "resting phase." Other hairs will be increasing or decreasing their growth activity. All hair removal techniques are most effective on the most actively growing hairs.

Electrolysis destroys hair by inserting a needle along the hair shaft, delivering an electric current to the base of the hair. Only one hair can be treated at a time. Treatment sessions typically last 15 minutes, often ending due to discomfort.

Photothermolysis destroys hair by delivering light energy, either from a laser or an intense light source, to the base of the hair. Larger areas can be treated at one time.

Several factors affect the permanency of hair destruction. Results of treatment can vary from no effect at all to complete destruction of hair. The probability of having no effect at all is very unusual. If your hair is not eliminated, you may see decreased hair size (smaller diameter), slower hair growth, and/or lightening of hair color. Hair that responds to one technique may not respond to another.

For electrolysis, "permanent" hair removal may be as short as six months.

To date, light based hair removal can be expected to be as permanent as electrolysis. In my personal experience, most patients experience permanent reduction in hair, but some hair will re-grow. In particular, hair on the back is the least predictable.

With either the ruby laser or intense light therapy, treatment does not usually require any anesthesia. Using Benadryl lotion before treatment can help reduce treatment irritation. During treatment, you will experience a feeling similar to a "bee sting" or a rubber band snapping against your skin. Some redness, swelling, or tenderness may occur after treatment. In most cases, any post treatment discomfort resolves within minutes to several hours. If any symptoms persist for more than a couple of hours, you should call the office. Cool compresses applied to the treated areas can help reduce redness and discomfort. Some patients find that an anesthetic spray, such as Solarcaine®, may help reduce discomfort.

Treatment is most successful if you have dark hair, light skin, and actively growing hair. Minimizing skin pigment and stimulating hair growth enhances results of treatment. Coloring your hair does not appear to enhance hair destruction.

Hair follicles lie beneath the deepest layers of your skin. Both skin pigment (brown) and the cells that produce pigment absorb skin the energy that destroys hair. For this reason, you should avoid sun exposure to treatment areas for 3-4 weeks before treatment. Bleaching agents may be prescribed as part your pre-treatment regimen.

Depending on the area(s) to be treated, I have found Rogaine® may help stimulate your hair follicles, making them more sensitive to treatment. Rogaine® works best on facial hair, with 3-4 weeks of pretreatment recommended. Even if Rogaine® treated hair is not destroyed, the growth stimulation effect of Rogaine® goes away.

Certain medications may make your skin more sensitive to intense light treatment. Please be sure to give us a complete list of any medications you are taking, both prescription and over the counter medications.

Skin care after hair removal is based on symptoms. Any burning feeling after treatment can be improved with cold compresses. You may wish to bring cold compresses (such as frozen peas in a ziplock bag). You should continue to avoid sun exposure after treatment, especially if you have naturally dark skin or if you tan easily.

While problems from treatment are not infrequent, complications of treatment relate to light energy absorbed outside the hair follicle. Since energy is more highly absorbed by skin pigment, complications are more common if you have dark skin, a tan, or if you tan easily. Complications include lightening or darkening of skin in the treatment area, and a burn, either similar to a sunburn or a blister.

For most patients, any change in skin color is usually temporary. Color changes present 1 year after treatment will likely be permanent.