Laser hair removal can be used on all parts of the body and over large areas. It is suitable for treating unwanted hair due to both hypertrichosis and hirsutism.
Hirsutism and Hypertrichosis Unwanted Hair Growth
Hirsutism is the medical term for excessive hair growth in a woman on parts of the body where hair normally grows in men; for example, the beard area or chest.
The typical pattern of hair growth in men is regulated by male sex hormones called androgens. Women also have androgens circulating in their bodies, but they are normally at very low levels. Hirsutism may occur when the amount of androgens in a woman is increased or her hair follicles become oversensitive to their presence.
Conditions that can lead to hirsutism include:
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- congenital adrenal hyperplasia (a genetic condition affecting the adrenal glands)
- Cushing’s disease
- certain medications
- abuse of anabolic steroids by sportswomen
- insulin resistance
- obesity.
In some cases, hirsutism is described as “idiopathic”; that is, no cause can be found.
A second type of unwanted hair growth is termed hypertrichosis. In contrast to hirsutism, hypertrichosis is not related to androgen levels. As a consequence, hypertrichosis can occur in both men and women, and hair growth may be seen on any part of the body. A person is considered to have hypertrichosis when the thickness and/or length of hair is excessive for his or her age, ethnicity or gender.
Hypertrichosis has many possible causes, ranging from rare inherited disorders such as Ambras syndrome, to cancer, the side-effects of drugs, eating disorders, and repeated damage or irritation to a localized patch of skin.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Traditionally, unwanted hair has been removed by methods such as shaving, plucking or waxing. These temporary treatments are slow, however, and the removed hair regrows quickly. Laser hair treatment allows the removal of large areas of hair relatively rapidly and the results are long-lasting.
Laser hair removal works by heating the cells of the hair follicles, which are damaged by the high temperature and become unable to produce new hairs. The lasers used for hair removal target follicle cells containing melanin (the pigment that gives dark hair its colour), leaving lighter-coloured surrounding skin cells unaffected. The best results are therefore achieved with dark hairs on pale skin. Blonde, grey or white hair is difficult to remove because it contains little or no melanin. Laser hair removal is also much less effective in people with dark skin.
Hair follicles are most sensitive to laser treatment during a stage in their growth cycle called “anagen”, during which the hair shaft is growing actively and the cells in the root are dividing rapidly. For this reason, sessions of laser treatment are scheduled to coincide with entry of new hairs into anagen (generally at four to eight week intervals). Best results are achieved after three to eight treatments, but further treatment may be required as the hair regrows.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?
Laser hair removal usually has few side-effects. The treated area is commonly itchy, red and swollen, but this should last only a few days. In occasional cases, the skin may be burned or discoloured by the laser light, though this can be avoided by the practitioner using the correct settings for the person’s skin and hair type.
Is Laser hair Removal Permanent?
Laser treatment does not treat each follicle individually and so is less effective than electrolysis. Laser hair removal has long-lasting results, but may not be permanent; the damaged follicles may regenerate over time, leading to regrowth of the unwanted hair in some people. Before undergoing laser treatment for hair removal, it is important to discuss the pros and cons with a reputable practitioner.
References:
Lanigan SW. Lasers in Dermatology. Medicine 2004; 32(12): 21−3.
LaserHairRemoval.org Accessed 18-06-10
Disclaimer
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
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