Our trusted name in the field of facial cosmetic surgery is your assurance of excellence. Our staff of experts is dedicated to the most comprehensive skin health possible. If you are interested in any of these treatments or procedures, we recommend that you call our office to schedule an advance consultation. We will make certain that the procedure you would like is suitable for your skin type and condition.

Laser Hair Removal Non-Invasive Laser Treatments Skin Treatments Other Services

Laser Hair Removal Portland

Removing unwanted body hair is a constant troubling process for many men and women. Patients who are tired of the temporary, painful methods of removing hair from the face, back, legs or other body areas may benefit from laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure used to remove unwanted body hair. This minimally invasive procedure removes hair through a series of treatments while leaving the surrounding skin and tissue unharmed. Through this safe, convenient procedure, patients can enjoy long-term hair removal from nearly any area of their body.

Laser hair removal is most commonly performed on the face, upper lip, neck, chest, underarms, back, abdomen, bikini line and legs, although it can be performed on virtually any area with pigmented hair growth.

Candidates for Laser Hair Removal

The ideal patient for laser hair removal is someone with excessive hair growth who is unhappy with the appearance of the hair and seeking a long-term, simple solution. Excessive hair growth may be caused by a number of different reasons, including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, heredity, medication or disease.

Other patients with normal hair growth, who are tired of constantly shaving, waxing or plucking their unwanted hair may benefit from this procedure as well. This procedure is usually most effective on patients with dark hair and light skin, although most patients are able to achieve successful results. It is important for patients to have realistic expectations about laser hair removal in order to be satisfied with their results.

Procedure

During the laser hair removal procedure, a topical anesthetic may be applied to the area to minimize pain and discomfort. The laser is then moved across the targeted area with a hand held device to treat the area. Hair follicles in the active growth state are disabled. Patients may experience the sensation of a rubber band snapping the skin during this procedure, but most are able to tolerate the procedure well.

There are several different types of lasers that can be used for hair removal, including:

• Alexandrite
• Diode
• Light-based sources
• Nd: YAG
• Ruby

The Petroff Center uses the GentleLASE ® (Alexandrite) laser. Click here for more information on the GentleLASE® Laser.

Multiple treatments will be needed in order to achieve optimal results, since hair grows in cycles, and one treatment will not be able to destroy all hair follicles. Most patients experience effective results after three to five treatments, spaced four to eight weeks apart. The length and quantity of treatments depends upon the location of the hair and the patient's individual response to treatment. Patients who wish to remove hair in between treatment sessions can shave the treated area if they desire, but should not use any other type of temporary hair removal.

Recovery and Results

After laser hair removal, patients may experience some redness and swelling in the treated area, but these symptoms usually go away on their own within a few days. Patients can return to work and other normal activities immediately after treatment. Excessive sun exposure should be avoided for some time before and after laser hair removal.

The results of the laser hair removal procedure are visible immediately, but hair may continue to grow until the full course of treatment is complete. Although the results of laser hair removal may not be permanent, they are longer than the results of other hair removal methods. Through multiple treatment sessions, long-term results may be possible for many patients.

Risks and Complications

Although laser hair removal is considered a safe procedure, there is always a risk of complication associated with any type of medical procedure. Some of these complications may include:

• Lightening or darkening of the skin
• Scarring
• Change in skin texture
• Blistering
• Incomplete removal of hair
• Regrowth of hair

The most common complication of laser hair removal is regrowth of the unwanted hair, which can often be relieved through additional treatment sessions.

If you are interested in learning more about laser hair removal and to find out if this procedure is right for you, please call us today to schedule a consultation.

Click here for more information on our Non-Invasive Laser Treatments

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