Laser Removal

Laser Hair Removal: We are one of the best in world
Laser Cure clinics offer you a brand new research technology (PDT hair removal ---substantial reduction in just two or three visits), which no clinic in India or abroad can offer. The method saves lot of money and time of the patients and very suitable for those who come from outstations.

Understanding the significance of unwanted hair (hirsutism) in women:
Women generally do not have hair on some body parts e.g. upper lip, chin, cheek, sub mandibular ( under chin) region, near ears ,around nipples, on bust line or sternum, just below umbilicus (upper pubic triangle), anterior thighs, extremities and back etc. The hair growth on these locations is dependent largely on androgen -male hormone testosterone, and sometimes on genes. Therefore in women, hair on these locations is “unwanted hair”.

Apart from cosmetic reasons, such hair alarm physician, something is abnormal at hormone levels in a woman having such hair growth; especially so if she has irregular, scanty or heavy monthly periods (menses). Women having unwanted hair, together with history of acne and/ or menstrual problems or tendency to put on weight are more likely to have hormonal problem. Excess or deficient thyroid function can also cause hirsutism.

Doctor must observe or Women should report to the doctor about signs of defeminization: viz: amenorrhea, reduction in breast size, Loss of female body contour
Doctor must observe or Women should report to doctor about signs of virilization: viz: enlargement of clitoris, deepening of voice, coarse skin, male pattern baldness

P.C.O.D.: A COMMON CAUSE OF SECRETION OF MALE HORMONE TESTESTERONE IN WOMAN’S BODY:

Ovaries exhibit multiple cysts in disorder called as P.C.O.D. (POLY CYSTIC OVARIAN DISORDER). These multiple cysts are capable of secreting male hormone testosterone. In these cases if only hair removal is attempted without attempting to correct P.C.O.D. will not yield good results.

In case of P C O D, the treatment is like swimming against the stream. Laser therapist attempts to reduce unwanted hair, while cysts favor them by excessive secretion of testosterone. Therefore women having P C O D require almost double the treatment.

P C O D should be suspected in women who come for:

1.Unwanted hair
2.Acne
3.Tendency to put on weight
4.Increase in girth of lower abdomen, hips and thighs
5.Irregular, scanty or profuse monthly periods (menses)
6.Family history of diabetes, obesity, heart disease or hypertension

But do not get nervous. P C O D can be effectively treated in few months with PANYED, although your gynecologist or endocrinologist may tell you it is difficult to treat.
We must attend P C O D in time because if untreated, it may lead to sterility, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Allopathic treatment alone is not effective here therefore we opt for Laser Therapy +Ayurveda + Applied nutrition +Exercise+ minimum Drugs in all cases of P.C.O.D. for few months.

CAUSES OF HIRSUTISM ( unwanted hair in woman):
A.Without virilization:
Stress
Puberty
Pituitary: Cushing’s
Allopathic Drugs: like systemic steroids, ACTH
Pregnancy
Menopause
Hypo/Hyperthyroidism

B.WITH OR WOTHOUT VIRILIZATION:
Pituitary: hyperprolactinemia, Acromegaly
Adrenal: Adult onset (delayed) adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing’s,
Adrenal adenoma, and rarely adrenal carcinoma
Ovarian: P C O D, tumors
Allopathic drugs: anabolic steroids, Progestins

C.WITH VIRILIZATION:
Adrenal: congenital or child hood onset hyperplasia & nest tumor
Ovarian: Hilar cell hyperplasia, ovarian hyperthecosis
Allopathic drugs: Testosterone, synthetic androgens

UNWANTED HAIR IN MEN:
Man can normally be hairy. However too much of hair may look sometimes ugly. Therefore excessive hair on back, on earlobes, eyebrows could bother a man who wants to look more sober and not primitive. Sometimes their wives or girl friends insist their removal. Therefore this hair needs laser hair removal as “unwanted hair”.

HOW MANY LASER TREATMENTS REQUIRED?
Women having normal hormones should require approximately 5 to 6 visits at interval of few weeks whereas the women with hormonal problems may require 10 plus visits (treatments). Men require only 4 to 7 treatments because they are happy with substantial reduction in density of unwanted hair(whereas women seek their total removal).

SCHEDULE OF TREATMENT:
1.Upper lip: every 3-5 weekly
2.Chin & Cheeks: every 4-6 weekly interval
3.Other body parts: 8 to 12 weekly

N.B. Should you have enough hair growth before your schedule date of the next treatment , you may go for your laser visit( treatment) before date .

IS LASER CURE TEMPORARY?
No, it is not temporary. Here we are discussing permanent hair reduction only and not temporary results. But failure to offer permanent reduction may be due to non performance of diet, medicines , or if internal chemistry (hormones) is unattended.

CLINICAL EXAMINATION:
It is very important to examine a woman coming for unwanted hair, and see if she has signs of virilization ( enlarged clitoris ) & /or signs of defeminization ( less feminine curves ). Therefore enlargement of clitoris, lack of breast development etc needs to be considered before finalizing treatment for unwanted hair. Moreover assessment of thyroid function is must before finalizing the line of treatment Look for clinical features of PCOD (Acne, obesity /tendency to put on weight , irregular or painful menses, family history of diabetes and unwanted hair.

INVESTIGATIONS:
Usually following investigations are done, only in females:
1.USG :Ultra sonography of ovaries ,for P.C.O.D., cyst and thyroid:
2.Blood testosterone levels
3.T.S.H. (thyroid stimulating hormone)
4.DHEAS
5.Testosterone
6.L H /FSH
7.Prolactin

Are there any side effects?:
There are no side effects in almost all cases done with lasers. The only side effect one may occasionally encounter can be superficial burns, which needs ointment application for 1 to 3 days. You must use good sunscreen for about a week after the laser treatment. Only Laser Cure clinic offers all four highly efficient methods for permanent hair reduction/removal varieties of lasers ( Altus N.D.Yag –US FDA approved, diode , IPL , PDT ) in the Indian subcontinent. Therefore a lady can be prescribed the method best in her individual case. Leave it to our doctors , they will do their best.

HOW LASERS DO THEIR JOB?
The light energy thrown by laser is absorbed by melanin (black or brown) pigment in the shaft of the hair. The light is thrown precisely for few milliseconds. Like a cable wire, hair shafts carry its energy deep inside to the hair follicle and inactivate them by photothermolysis. The laser treated hair follicles will not grow hair again.

AFTER CARE:
Sunscreen of 28 –35 SPF should be applied to treated area for few weeks. It should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure and to be reapplied in case you wash it.

Dermatologist Comments

A Dermatologist Comments on Hair Removal Methods

Question 1: I am a 55-year-old woman with facial hair. Originally, I used depilatories (like Nair), but they irritate my light, sensitive skin. I don't think shaving is practical and I'm concerned that electrolysis would be painful. What do you suggest?

Question 2: I'm tired of shaving my legs. In a previous column, you answered a question about electrolysis. What about laser? Is one better than the other? If I try laser or electrolysis, will the hair just grow back thicker anyway?

Dr. Mitchell answers:
Thick, dark hair above a woman's lip or on her chin can sometimes run in families. However, this nuisance should first be distinguished from abnormal hair growth due to a medical problem like polycystic ovary syndrome or a testosterone-producing tumor. Treating the underlying medical problem, when it exists, will treat the excess facial hair.

If you do indeed have a benign form of hair overgrowth, Dr. Janet Fairley, a Medical College of Wisconsin Professor of Dermatology who practices at the Zablocki VA Medical Center, lists several options: shaving, tweezing, waxing, chemical removal like depilatories, and permanent removal (electrolysis or laser). A prescription cream called Vaniqa (eflornithine) can also chemically inhibit hair growth. Remember that for any product applied to the skin, be it wax, depilatory, or prescription cream, first test the product on a small area to be sure you do not have an allergic reaction or display hypersensitivity and, of course, follow the package directions.

Electrolysis applies electric current to individual hairs and destroys the hair root. However, because sometimes the electrolysis needle isn't on target, you often need several treatment sessions to completely remove all hair in a particular area. If you are using electrolysis for a large area, like your legs, you may require many months of weekly appointments. Dr. Fairley warns that this may become costly.

For a small area like your face, electrolysis may be an option. Make an appointment to discuss what your treatment plan would be. Choose an electrologist wisely to minimize risks of infection and scarring. In Wisconsin, electrologists must be licensed by the state board of cosmetology, but there are no national standards. Look for members of the International Guild of Hair Removal Specialists, the American Electrology Association or the Society for Clinical and Medical Hair Removal.

Dr. Fairley tells me that laser is a more effective way to remove hair from large areas such as the legs. Laser works by killing hair follicles with heat. First a black-colored solution is applied to the legs, and this solution is absorbed by the hair follicles. The laser then targets its heat to the black spots.

But laser is relatively more expensive, and it still isn't perfect. A recent study showed that laser therapy removed about 30% of hair in about two-thirds of people undergoing treatment. So again, multiple visits may be necessary. Most people decide how to treat excess hair based on cost, convenience, and/or a nearby or recommended practitioner.

Dr. Fairley also clears up a myth: no method of hair removal has ever been shown to result in an increase in hair growth. Shaven hairs sometimes appear thicker than hair that has been allowed to grow, and thus, with time, have a weakened shaft and softer ends, but they aren't actually any thicker.

May be this Cost?

Worth the Cost
While laser hair removal can be costly, many patients find the treatment's lasting effects and reduced hair growth more than worth the cost. The cost of a laser hair removal treatment varies depending on the area being treated, the physician performing the treatment, the number of treatments in a package, and other considerations. Since all individuals have their own unique pattern of hair growth, it is difficult to give a precise estimate of the number of treatments needed to completely eliminate your problem hair, or the exact cost of doing so. The safest approach is to set up a consultation with a physician in order to better understand prices for your particular case.
Consult a Physician for Exact Estimates
For many patients, three treatments may be enough to provide hair removal for many months. For others it may take more or less than three laser hair removal treatments. Many offices will offer a package of treatment sessions at a discount. Below find two charts with pricing estimates by region and body area being treated. Please note that these are estimates and in no way represent exact pricing at any location.
Pricing Chart
Region Average Cost for 1 treatment
Midwest

$450
East

$425
South

$400
West

$420

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the national average cost for laser hair removal is $429. Fees within various cities may vary depending on whether the doctor's practice is in an urban, suburban or rural area. This fee only covers the doctor's costs, and does not include other miscellaneous costs.
Area

Average Cost for 1 treatment
Bikini $350 to $500
Back Hair $600 to $900
Lower Legs $600 to $850
Upper Legs $600 to $850
Arms $350 to $500
Chest $350 to $600
Under Arms $250 to $350
Face & Neck $600 to $900

Last Modified: Febuary 21, 2008