Permanent hair Reduction

Laser hair removal is one of the most commonly done cosmetic procedures, It beams highly concentrated light into hair follicles. Pigments in the follicles absorb the light. That destroys the hair.
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
Lasers are useful for removing unwanted hair from the face, leg, chin, back, arm, underarm, bikini line, and other areas.
Benefits of laser hair removal include:
Precision. Lasers can selectively target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.
How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is more than just ''''''''''''''''zapping'''''''''''''''' unwanted hair. It is a medical procedure that requires training to perform and carries potential risks. Before getting laser hair removal, you should thoroughly check the credentials of the doctor or technician performing the procedure.
If you are planning on undergoing laser hair removal, you should limit plucking, waxing, and electrolysis for six weeks before treatment. That''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s because the laser targets the hairs'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' roots, which are temporarily removed by waxing or plucking.
You should also avoid sun exposure for six weeks before and after treatment. Sun exposure makes laser hair removal less effective and makes complications after treatment more likely.
What to Expect During Laser Hair Removal
Just before the procedure, your hair that will be undergoing treatment will be trimmed to a few millimeters above the skin surface. Usually, topical numbing medicine is applied 20- 30 minutes before the laser procedure, to help with the sting of the laser pulses. The laser equipment will be adjusted according to the color, thickness, and location of your hair being treated as well as your skin color.
Objectives:
• Describe the different lasers used for hair removal.
• Review the indications for laser hair removal.
• Summarize the complications of laser hair removal.
• Outline interprofessional team strategies for improving care coordination and communication to advance care bundle approaches for hair removal with the laser and improving outcomes.
The demand for safe, long-lasting, and effective hair reduction for aesthetic as well as medical indications is on the rise. A variety of options for hair removal are available, such as epilation by plucking or waxing, depilation by shaving, chemical depilatories, electrolysis, eflornithine cream, and laser. A variety of lasers are available and are the most effective options for long-term hair reduction. The mechanism of action of these systems is the targeting of melanin in the hair shaft, follicular epithelium, and hair matrix.
Indications
1. Hirsutism and hypertrichosis
2. Aesthetic purposes
3. Medical indications like pseudofolliculitis barbae, pilonidal sinus, and acne keloidalis nuchae.
Preparation
1. Detailed clinical history to rule out infections, drug intake, etc.
2. Hormonal evaluation to assess causes of hirsutism.
3. Counsel the patient to manage expectations. It must be stressed that the procedure provides permanent hair reduction rather than removal.
4. Evaluate skin and hair types to choose the right laser and parameters.
5. Avoid hair epilation by plucking or waxing for 6 weeks before the procedure.
6. Sunscreens may be prescribed 4 to 6 weeks before the procedure, especially on exposed areas.
7. Pre-procedure photographs, with due consent, to maintain a record for evaluation of treatment response.
8. Shave the area long enough before the procedure to allow a slight stubble to develop; this will provide enough of a target for the laser without absorbing too much energy in the hair shaft itself.
9. Obtain informed consent.
10. If need be, a topical anesthetic cream may be applied one-half to one hour before the procedure.
Post-Procedure Care
1. Although most machines have inbuilt cooling systems, ice packs or cooling agents may be used post-procedure to minimize pain and swelling.
2. In case of inadvertent epidermal injury, topical antibiotics may be used.
3. Strict sun protection and the use of sunscreens is a must.
4. Topical steroid creams may be prescribed to minimize erythema and swelling.
The hair matrix is only sensitive to laser treatment during the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle; therefore multiple treatments will be necessary in order to address all hair follicles when they are most sensitive to treatment. In the initial phase of hair removal therapy, 4 to 6 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart are the minimum required to achieve adequate results. Subsequently, patients may need maintenance treatments once every 6 to 12 months as small vellus hair may grow back.
Various factors may affect the outcome, such as:
1. Hair location (axillary and pubic hair respond better than the hair on the extremities and chest)
2. Skin and hair color (light skin of Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV with dark hair achieve the best results due to the lack of melanin in the skin and the abundance of melanin to absorb laser energy in the hair follicles)
3. Hair growth stage (anagen hair being most sensitive)
4. Laser type
5. Hormonal status
6. Treatment plan