Laser Hair Removal

Cosmetic Laser Hair Removal and Rejuvenating Skin Care for Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, & Washington DC

To learn about LASER HAIR REMOVAL COSTS.

Laser hair removal was first introduced in the United States in 1995. Laser hair removal afforded the benefits of long-lasting hair removal in a much more rapid manner than electrolysis. Lasers used for laser hair removal are well suited for the removal of unwanted facial or body hair because, with the right selection of laser and laser settings, they could be used as a non-invasive method to permanently disable the hair structure without damaging the surrounding skin. Also, numerous hair follicles can be treated simultaneously allowing for rapid coverage of large hair removal areas.

Hair removal had historically been achieved with techniques such as shaving, waxing, tweezing, electrolysis, or the use of hair removal creams and lotions. Of these hair removal techniques, the only technique that provided a long-lasting solution was electrolysis. However, this hair removal technique is performed on one hair follicle at a time and makes the treatment of even small areas very time consuming.

Even though laser hair removal has generated great enthusiasm and experienced rapid growth, many limitations remained prior to the introduction of the CoolGlide® aesthetic laser system for laser hair removal. Previous existing lasers were not well suited to treat the broad range of people of color. In fact, most of the older laser hair removal systems, and laser wavelengths, had a very narrow range of people who could be safely treated. Unfortunately in over zealous efforts, people of color suffered burns and scarring in the hands of the wrong equipment not suitable to use on their skin pigments.

In summary, laser hair removal treatment for the removal of unwanted facial hair or body hair has been proved to be scientifically effective and is commonplace in the US and throughout the world today.
Laser hair removal lasers stop these unwanted hairs from growing by damaging the 'root' or 'growth center' or 'bulb area' of the hair follicle.
The only time that a laser hair removal laser can remove the hair follicle is when there is a hair shaft (target) in the follicle. Most of the hair follicles on the human body are empty (dormant) or not actively growing a hair. Since only approximately 25% to 35% of your hairs are actively growing at any time, these are the only ones that can be treated with the laser's energy. The dormant follicle is unaffected by the laser's energy. This explains why laser hair removal requires more than one treatment. It will usually require 4-5 treatments at different times to allow the hair follicle to grow a hair, i.e. the dormant follicles have to wake up. The follicles without a hair shaft (target) in them are not damaged by the laser's energy.

The laser hair removal laser works when the laser's energy is absorbed by the target. When this happens, heat is created. Unfortunately not all the laser hair removal lasers see the same 'targets'. The laser's characteristics for a target are directly related to the wavelength of the laser used for the laser hair removal.
The older lasers (lower wavelengths <1000 nm) have more risks, complications and more limitations. These are centered around those lasers wavelengths and their 'targets'. Any people with 'color' or a 'tan' are at greater risks for those complications.

We are pleased and take pride that we offer the safest laser with the most power able to be used on people of all colors and 'tans'. The 1064 nm wavelength is today's cutting edge and has FDA approval for permanent hair reduction.
Form more information about our laser, visit http://www.altusmedical.com/

Dr. Michael J. Brown, M.D. also provides Genesis Skin Therapy, which is a comfortable laser treatment for sun damage, redness, large pores and uneven textures. IPL Therapy helps to eliminate broken capillaries, wrinkles, rosacea, spider veins and freckles. Another service provided by the office is Titan Laser, which is an innovative laser technology used to treat sagging skin around the face and neck without having to undergo surgery.