Laser Hair Removal Blog
Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about the subject, or to ask Dr. Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.
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| We are located on Main Line PA. We serve Philadelphia PA, Wynnewood PA, Bryn Mawr PA, Haverford PA, Ardmore PA, Gladwyne PA, Havertown PA, Vilanova PA, Bala Cynwyd PA, Narberth PA, Havertown PA, Wayne PA, Vilanova PA, Rosmont PA, Davon PA, Radnor PA, and the rest of the Delaware Valley. |
| Hair Reduction |
alexandrite Laser |
Nd:YAG | Diode Laser |
IPL | Electrolysis |
| Fair Skin | +++ | ++ | ++ | + | ++ |
| Dark or Tan Skin | - | ++ | + | - | + |
| Dark Hair | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Red/Brown Hair | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Blond/White Hair | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| # Treatments | 3-6 | 3-6 | 3-10 | 6-10 | Variable |
| Lasting Effect | Permanent | Permanent | Permanent | Variable | Permanent |
| Cost(*) | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$ | $50/Session |
Treatments: Alexandrite laser, Nd:YAG laser, diode laser, IPL, Electrolysis.
Head/Face
| Next available appointment |
| for laser hair removal |
| Wed - 09/08/2010 - 11:25 AM |
| Book it |
| or, call us 610.525.5250 |
It is safe to say that all of us, some more than others, suffer from unwanted hair on our face, neck and body. This unwanted hair growth can occur due to heredity, hormonal levels, and certain drugs.
Usually, hair growth is desirable; however, when the hair is on the wrong part of your body i.e. a woman's upper lip or chin as well on your hands or arms then you may be considering the help of permanent hair reduction.
Laser hair reduction works best on dark hair. It should be noted that at this time neither lasers nor IPL (intense pulsed light) are able to treat red or white hair.
There are several methods of hair reduction available, both temporary and permanent.
Temporary methods of hair removal are achieved through depilation (removal of the hair above the skins surface) and epilation (removing the entire hair). Depilation refers to methods such as shaving and creams that chemically dissolve the hair. Epilation refers to methods such as tweezing and waxing. These methods remove unwanted hair for a period of a few weeks.
Laser hair removal is the most effective method for permanent hair reduction. Laser hair reduction works well on dark hair in people of all skin types. On average, 20-25% of hair follicles are permanently destroyed after each laser treatment, leading to about 50-70% reduction after three treatments and about 80-90% reduction after six treatments. The remainder of the hair then becomes finer and lighter. However the most common misconception about permanent hair reduction is that a series of laser treatments destroys all hair when in reality some hair follicles are dormant at the time of treatment and are able to produce hair at a later stage. For near complete hair removal, periodic maintenance treatments can be performed.
An alternative method of permanent hair removal is electrolysis. This technique employs an electrical beam to destroy a single hair follicle. Therefore, it is unsuitable for large body areas. Electrolysis can eliminate hair of all color, including white, and red. Electrolysis is often used to remove the occasional gray or white hair that is left after successful laser treatment of laser hair reduction.
If you are planning to undergo permanent laser hair reduction, the hair must not be plucked or waxed for four weeks prior to treatment. Once the treatment has been administered, you should avoid long periods in direct sunlight for six weeks.
Permanent hair removal is one of the safest forms of cosmetic dermatology, administered at a reasonable price. We provide our patients in the Philadelphia and Main Line area access to most effective and safe devices. Call us for detail pricing and to schedule a free consultation with Jill, our medical aesthetician.
| Patient comments (source: Patient Satisfaction Report) | |
| 2010-04-14 11:19:33 | I have been to many dermatologists and the service here was exceptional. |
| 2010-04-08 16:25:27 | The Dr treated me as a Person, not a commodity. She talked to me so I could understand what needed to be done and what possible courses of actions needed to be taken. I enjoyed the fact that the Dr. took time to listen to me & took action considering my desires as well. |
| 2010-04-08 15:28:24 | The thorough exam that Dr. Ringpfeil gave me. The professionalism of the entire staff. Everything from the ambience to the music. |
Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about the subject, or to ask Dr. Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.
I’m a very hairy female. My body has hair bumps all over the place. Is there anything i can do about this?
Hair bumps (pseudofolliculitis) are caused by coarse, terminal hair. This type of hair is typically found in the beard area of men and in the genital area of both genders. In some women, excessive hair growth can lead to terminal hair on other body parts.
Pseudofolliculitis can occur spontaneously but more frequently it is associated with shaving.
If a hormonal abnormality leads to excessive hair growth in a woman, medical treatment should be started at time of any hair removal method.
The best method for permanent hair removal of large areas is laser hair reduction. It may not remove 100% of your hair but after several sessions any remaining hair is so fine that pseudofolliculitis does not occur anymore.
I have had several treatments over the last 6 years and havent had anything in the last 2 I tried 2 doctors and the results were poor i was hair free for only 8 weeks will this laser be stronger it was called cold laser that i had prior.
One of the most efficient lasers for hair reduction is an Alexandrite laser, e.g Gentlelase. It works best on fair skin with dark hair. In individuals with a tan or Mediterranean and darker skin, laser assisted hair reduction is most efficient with an Nd:YAG laser. Other devices used for laser hair reduction include diode lasers and IPL (intensed pulsed light). These are considered less efficient.
The initial process of reducing hair by laser requires typically 3-6 treatments. During the very first treatment, the hair falls out indiscriminately. This primes the hair to be in a vulnerable state at the time of the second treatment 4-6 weeks later. With every subsequent treatment, more hair gets permanently destroyed. Biannual or annual maintenance treatments are performed to address any hair that had been dormant during the initial treatment period. If maintenance treatments are not performed regularly, sometimes 2 treatments may be needed to achieve permanent reduction of hair that occurred since the initial treatment. The first treatment will shed the hair indiscriminately and the second will then destroy the primed vulnerable hair.
Cold lasers as defined by the FDA as low level energy lasers are not typically used for laser assisted hair reduction. Their strengths is in pain reduction and even promotion of hair growth. I believe, that there is a misunderstanding about the type of laser used in your initial treatment.