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Unwanted hair: everyone has it in at least one place on their body, and over-the-counter options for dealing with it leave a lot to be desired. Nicks, cuts, razor burn, redness, pain, and other after-effects are all too common with razors, waxing, and other common hair removal methods. However, advances in laser technologies in recent years make eliminating unwanted hair with lasers more effective and comfortable than ever before. Dr. Gerald Bock, dermatologist in Stockton, CA, offers safe and effective laser hair removal using the revolutionary Sciton Profile Laser.
All laser therapies, no matter what they are used for, work by harnessing the power of specific wavelengths of light to effect a change in the body. In laser hair removal, intense beams of light are aimed at unwanted hair follicles, where the pigments in the hair follicle absorb the light. This light is converted into heat energy, which causes damage to the follicles that cause hair to grow. When these follicles become damaged, it prohibits future hair growth or significantly delays it—which means less unwanted hair and smoother skin.
Benefits of using the Sciton Profile Laser
The Sciton Profile Laser is a hand-built laser that uses long wavelengths of light to target the follicles of hair in the active growth stage. The laser is equipped with a sapphire cooling plate for your enhanced comfort and safety through all phases of the treatment process. In addition, it delivers laser light pulses through computerized scanning technology rather than manual movements for precise delivery of the targeted light energy—every portion of the treatment area is covered with just the right amount of pulses, evenly and methodically. That means more uniform coverage and better results for you.
While other lasers have historically been unable to treat certain skin colors, the versatility of the Sciton Profile Laser enables us to treat all types and colors of skin. However, light blond and gray hairs do not have sufficient pigment to absorb the laser energy and therefore are not effectively thinned with laser hair removal.
How many sessions are needed?
Before answering this question, it helps to understand the hair growth cycle. Every hair on your body goes through four phases in its cycle:
In the anagen or growth phase, the cells in the hair bulb rapidly divide, which leads to the growth of new hair. This phase can last for years and approximately 50 to 80 percent of your hairs are in this phase at a given time.
In the catagen or transition phase, which only lasts a couple of weeks, hair growth stops, and the hair becomes detached from your blood supply.
In the telogen or resting phase, the hair simply rests in its place while new hair begins growing underneath it. This phase lasts for about three months.
In the exogen or shedding phase, the resting hair becomes detached and falls out.
Why is this important? Because laser hair removal can only target hairs that are in the anagen, or active growth phase. This means that multiple laser treatment sessions are required to target as many hairs as possible. Generally, you can expect to need at least six treatments that are spaced six weeks apart, for the best results.
It is important to understand that laser hair removal cannot remove 100 percent of unwanted hair in the treatment area, but it can go a long way towards dramatically thinning hair in the area, so you only need to do occasional touch-ups. Maintenance laser removal treatments may be needed over time as some of the hair grows back.
Learn more in your personalized consultation
If you are interested in learning more about how you can say goodbye to unwanted hair and ditch the razors and waxes, call the California Skin & Laser Center to schedule your personalized consultation today! Our Stockton, CA office can be reached at 209-956-4260 for new patients and 209-751-4292 for existing patients. We also have offices in Elk Grove and Lodi for your convenience.
Dr. Gerald Bock is a board-certified general, cosmetic, and surgical dermatologist serving patients in the following California, United States communities: Lodi, CA; Stockton, CA; and Elk Grove, CA. He is a fellow with the American Academy of Dermatology and is a pioneer of cosmetic surgery in the Central Valley. Dr. Bock’s goal is to provide services that enhance an individual’s beauty without making them look like they have had anything done. He is committed to helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals with innovative treatments that deliver ageless results.