Whether it’s on your arms, face or bikini line hairiness is something most women feel self conscious about and some men too.  Depending on the density and color of your hair and, most importantly, the location of the growth it can put a sincere damper on one’s self image. Luckily with today’s technology and education dermatologists can do much to decrease or eliminate this unwanted hair.  Most popular among clients is laser hair removal. This process is innovative and non-evasive, not to mention saves you time and relentless effort. These treatments show results immediately, but do usually take an average of five sessions for best results (depending on the size of the area being targeted and your personal body this can differ).

What is it:
Laser hair removal became commercially available in 1990, and has grown exponentially over the past 22 years. Hair removal lasers are approved by the FDA for ‘permanent’ hair removal.  “Laser hair removal is a technique that uses beams of highly concentrated light to penetrate the hair follicles. The light is absorbed by pigment in the follicles and destroys the hair within them. Laser hair removal is among the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the U.S,” via WebMD. The process will permanently reduce the amount of hairs grown, but not permanently prevent all hair growth.

The Procedure:
Laser hair removal in the Charleston, South Carolina area is performed with GentleYAG® and GentleLASE® lasers, and is appropriate for both light-skinned and dark-skinned individuals. The procedure causes only slight discomfort. As the laser is passed over the targeted area, patients will feel a brief, slight “snap,” like a rubber band against the skin.

After Treatment: The treated area may be red and possibly swollen for about 24 hours after the procedure. Ice packs can help reduce swelling and alleviate any discomfort. You should avoid sun exposure and glycolic or salicylic acid products for a period of several days after treatment.

Many women suffer from unwanted hairiness however the condition can be more than just an issue of appearance. Hirsutism is a condition of ‘male pattern’ hair growth in women, i.e.: face, back or chest. This condition can be a sign of more severe medical concerns. The cause of this hair growth could be because of a high amount of male hormone- androgens- primarily testosterone, or due to a body’s over sensitivity to hair follicles. New studies are also showing higher levels of insulin in women with this condition. If you have an excessive amount of body hair in targeted areas that are not common for woman pattern growth, not common for your family/ethnic traits, and developed after the pubescent period you may want to discuss your concerns with your dermatologist and/or physician.  There may be a solution to your cosmetic concerns and for your health!

If you are just one of the ‘lucky’ few who have a little extra growth, or you just don’t have the time to deal with the hair you have, ask us about our laser hair removal!

And during the month of November with the purchase of a bikini hair removal package you can get an underarm removal package for FREE ($600 value)! Only a couple weeks left to get in on the great deal! 

Marguerite Germain