LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Intense pulsed light (IPL) and laser hair removal are safe and effective procedures for all skin types. They are designed to permanently reduce unwanted hair after multiple treatments. RGV Cosmetic Surgery & Vein Care is one of the only practices south of San Antonio to offer the Palomar StarLux 500 IPL platform for hair removal and photofacial treatments.
How Does IPL Remove Hair?
Highly controlled flashes of intense pulsed light (IPL) and/or lasers target and destroy the hair follicles below the skin’s surface. When the light is absorbed, the hair follicle becomes heated, which damages or completely destroys the potential for re-growth of the follicle. This method can lead to successful hair reduction without damaging tissue surrounding the follicle. Only hair follicles in the active growing phase can be targeted. IPL and laser treatments cannot target hair follicles in the dormant phase. This is why patients will notice new hair growth as the dormant hair follicles become active (approximately six months after their IPL hair removal treatment). This does not mean that the first treatment failed to work. Repeat treatments at this stage will destroy the newly active hair follicles, further reducing hair growth. Over time, these treatments result in permanent hair reduction in the areas treated.
What Happens During A Laser Hair Removal Treatment?
Treatment begins by clipping the hair above the skin. It is preferred that you trim the areas to be treated the night before your scheduled treatment. Do not wax the areas, as waxing pulls the hair follicles out, leaving nothing to treat. You may be directed to wear special glasses to shield your eyes from the laser’s bright light. Cold gel may then be spread over the area being treated. Next, the IPL handpiece or laser is applied to your skin and pulses of light are emitted, targeting the areas of unwanted hair. Most hair is wiped off when the gel is removed. Remaining hair is either treated or falls out over the next couple weeks.
What Does The Treatment Feel Like?
During treatment, you will feel a slight pinch or sting with each pulse of light, similar to being snapped with a rubber band. Local anesthesia is not required, and most patients tolerate the slight discomfort well.
Can All Hair Be Treated?
The ideal candidate is a fair-skinned patient with dark hair. The unique design of lasers and IPLs offer a very customized treatment in accordance with your texture, hair color, and body location. Hair with at least a small amount of pigment can be treated successfully. White hair cannot be treated.
Is IPL Safe For All Skin Types?
IPL is the first photoepilation procedure recognized to successfully treat unwanted hair on any skin type. This includes dark-skinned individuals. For dark-skinned patients, more treatments may be needed because the energy settings must be set lower. It is important that patients seek treatments from a skilled and licensed certified laser technician with experience treating patients with darker skin tones to minimize risks of burning or hyperpigmentation.
Are There Any Possible Side Effects?
Side effects for this treatment are rare. It is important that patients seek treatments from a skilled and licensed certified laser technician to minimize risks of burning or hyperpigmentation. After the procedure, local swelling or reddening may be experienced, but usually goes away within hours. Rarely, bruising or blistering may follow, but goes away quickly. Following the treatment, the skin may appear darker or lighter, but generally returns back to normal within a few weeks. In order to minimize the possibility of complications, limit exposure to the sun before and after each treatment. Work and regular activities can usually be resumed immediately after treatment.
What Kind Of Results Should I Expect?
These procedures have been proven to permanently reduce the number of hair follicles and hair growth in most skin types. The number of treatments required varies based on different factors associated with skin color and hair type. A customized treatment program will be planned for you with an estimate on the number of treatments needed.
How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost?
To determine the cost of your laser hair removal treatment, we invite you to schedule a private consultation at our practice. During your consultation, we will assess your cosmetic goals in order to pursue a treatment plan that matches your unique needs. Then, we will be able to provide you with a clear breakdown of the costs associated with your treatment. At RGV Cosmetic Surgery & Vein Center, we accept a number of payment and financing options, including cash, checks, money orders, major credit cards, and CareCredit® financing. We also offer simple and secure online payment options for the convenience of our patients.
The Palomar StarLux 500 intense pulsed light (IPL) technology offers a long-term resolution to unwanted hair on the back, face, legs, or other body areas. These non-invasive tools are based on technology used for almost a decade to treat birthmarks like port-wine stains. IPL and laser hair removal have been safely performed for years. If you live in Mission, Tx, McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, Harlingen, Brownsville, the Rio Grande Valley, or anywhere else in South Texas, schedule your private consultation today.