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Robert G. Aycock, MD, FACS · Plastic Surgery

San Francisco Laser Hair Removal

May 2008 Newsletter

Laser Hair Removal
Now All Razors Are Disposable

Ever since lasers became popular for cosmetic use, laser hair removal has been at the top of the list of procedures people seek out. Why? First of all, it beats all of the other options (waxing, shaving, electrolysis) by a mile. And it's both safe and reasonably painless.

Although it may require repeated treatments, once your treatments are finished you're freed from a lifetime sentence of stubble, itching, and self-consciousness.

Freedom, Less Self-Consciousness

San Francisco Laser Hair Removal

As one of our patients put it, "For the first time I can throw on a bathing suit without even thinking about checking my body for hair. It's a nice feeling of freedom."

We see a lot of men who want to get rid of unsightly hair, too. Most commonly they're concerned about hair on their shoulders and backs. After shedding their unwanted hair they report less self-consciousness on the beach and in the bedroom.

Am I a candidate for laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal is not for everyone. The absolute requirement is that one's hair must be darker than the surrounding skin. Additionally, very darkly pigmented people absorb too much laser energy in their skin and are not candidates for most lasers.

If you have a tan, you should wait until your skin has returned to its normal color before seeking laser hair removal.

What will it cost for laser hair removal for me?

Although much less expensive than electrolysis, laser hair removal requires multiple treatments, and generally costs over $1000 in total for most anatomic areas. Treatment cost varies with the size of the area treated. Large areas, such as the entire back, or the entire legs, cost considerably more than this.

What areas can be treated?

Any area, except adjacent to the eye, where there is excess hair. The most common areas requested are the face, upper lip, neck, chest, periareolar, underarms, back, abdomen, bikini line, and legs.

Does It Hurt?

Everybody experiences pain differently. The laser pulses for just a fraction of a second, heating the hair follicle, resulting in a stinging feeling. If you are highly sensitive to this stinging we will apply a topical anesthetic to numb the pain.

Why Multiple Treatments?

Our patients often ask us why they have to come back six months or so after their initial round of laser treatments for "touch-ups." The reason is that only 85% of your hairs are visible at any given time. These hairs are the only ones our lasers can target—the laser energy is attracted to actual hairs, not follicles.

Since our lasers work only on visible hairs, permanent hair removal requires a second round of treatments specifically targeted to hairs that were missed on the first round.

A Process — But Worth It

Yes, it takes a bit of time and patience to get the perfectly smooth hairless look you want in strategic areas of your body. But more and more people are deciding it's worth it.

San Francisco Laser Hair Removal

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