Let’s face it – excess body hair can be unsightly and embarrassing. Shaving, plucking, waxing and depilatory creams provide temporary fixes. Beyond being inconvenient, messy and having the potential to cause irritation, again they’re only temporary. While electrolysis is an improvement over these traditional methods, it is time-consuming, sometimes painful, and is only useful in removing hair from small regions.
Unwanted hair is a problem shared by both men and women. In many cases the condition runs in families. Race can also be a factor: Caucasians are more prone to having excess facial hair than are Asians and African Americans. Some people experience unwanted or excess hair from the time they reach puberty; others find it to be a condition that gets worse with age. Some women experience additional hair growth during pregnancy or menopause. Women who experience sudden hair growth should consult with their physicians, as this may be a sign of other medical conditions.
Hair does not come in any one size or type. Follicles in different parts of the body produce various types of hair. Hair can grow in thick, bushy patches or in long thin strands. In addition, hair is produced in follicles that can be found at different depths and densities: as close to the skin’s surface as a millimeter or as deep as five millimeters or more. Until recently, this great variety in hair types and body locations made long-lasting hair removal a significant challenge.
At Silhouette, we are pleased to offer laser hair removal treatment with the latest LightSheer laser. The LightSheer laser is FDA approved for permanent reduction of unwanted hair. This technology can be used to treat unwanted hair on all skin types, including dark-skinned individuals such as those of African, Hispanic or Asian decent.
LightSheer systems treat the hair by directing precise laser energy into the base of the follicle. A thin layer of cool, transparent gel may be applied to the treatment area to better focus the energy. The energy heats the hair and damages the hair follicle, causing the hair to fall out and prevent re-growth for lengthy periods of time, often permanently!
Unlike other hair removal tools, the LightSheer system incorporates ChillTip™ technology, which continuously cools the skin. This proprietary feature helps to:
• maximize the effectiveness of the treatment
• decrease skin damage
• minimize any discomfort
• allow for treatment on all skin types
The length of an individual treatment may last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more, depending upon the size of the area being treated. The number of treatments required depends on several factors related to specific kinds of hair and skin. It is important to understand that hairs in an active growth phase (anagen) are most affected by treatments. Since all hairs are not in this phase at the same time, several treatments are necessary to achieve the best results.
During your FREE no-obligation consultation, we will design you a customized treatment program, and give you an estimate in terms of how many sessions may be needed in order to meet your expectations.
Treatment with the LightSheer system may cause some discomfort: patients often describe it as a pinch or the sting of a snapped rubber band. Most patients tolerate the procedure well; topical anesthesia such as EMLA may be an option when treating larger more sensitive areas like the bikini region, underarms or men’s backs.
The appearance of the treated area immediately following a session will vary from patient to patient, though side effects are rare. Any swelling or redness at the treatment site typically goes away within 24 hours, and most people are able to return to normal activity immediately.
