Permanent Hair Removal

Laser Center of Orlando offers two types of permanent hair removal, laser and electrolysis. Each has its benefits (a short synopsis is listed below); if you have any questions about which method would be best for you, feel free to contact our office, and an expert staff member will be happy to assist you. 

Candela GentleLASE and GentleYAG Laser Systems 

Lasers have been used for many years for a variety of medical cosmetic procedures including treatment of facial and leg veins, age spots and rejuvenating the skin on the face. The GentleLASE system, a revolutionary long-pulse, high-energy alexandrite laser, emits a gentle beam of light that passes through the skin to the hair follicle, where it is absorbed. The laser energy is transformed into heat, which destroys the hair follicle, leaving the surrounding skin unaffected.  With the GentleYAG system, a laser beam bypasses the surface of the skin, avoiding surface melanin of the darker skinned patient.  Absorption of the laser energy takes place at the base of the hair where it is disabled permanently.

 

 
 


With both systems, the skin is further protected during treatment by a Dynamic Cooling DeviceTM in which cryogen is sprayed onto the skin, cooling the upper layers and providing patients with increased comfort. Both lasers selectivity help to protect the skin, while effectively treating the unwanted hair. 

What conditions are treated with the laser?

Traditional hair removal techniques, such as shaving, plucking, waxing and depilatory creams provide only temporary relief. Until now, the only recognized way to remove hair permanently has been by electrolysis, which can be tedious, time-consuming and uncomfortable. The GentleLASE and GentleYAG systems safely remove unwanted body hair without damaging the delicate pores and structures of the skin. Facial and bikini areas are usually completed in under ten minutes; legs, backs and larger areas can take longer.

Electrolysis

A secondary permanent hair removal method. Recognized by the medical profession as being a safe way to permanently remove hair, electrolysis has become a truly accepted profession allied with many other health professions.

Causes of Hair Growth

All hair growth, normal and abnormal, is regulated by hormones. It is the over-secretion of male hormones that causes excessive hair growth. Research has established that most excess hair is due to the combination of too much androgen, and an enzyme in the follicle that is very sensitive to the increase. Excessive hair growth may be encouraged by many different variables such as puberty, pregnancy, aging, drugs, glandular disorders, stress and eating disorders.

Electrolysis and How It Works

To explain, hair grows through a tube-like opening in the skin known as the hair follicle. At the base of the follicle is a bulb, which contains a gelatin-like substance, called the papilla. This is the hair's source of nourishment. A tiny sterile wire filament is inserted into the follicle. In the use of short wave or thermolysis, the tip of the wire filament transmits a small heat pattern down into the papilla. This thermal action cauterizes and disables the papilla without damaging the outer layer of the skin. With galvanic or blend modalities, a chemical breakdown occurs that destroys the papilla. Without the papilla, the hair cannot regenerate.

Hair Growth Cycle

Electrolysis is not a once-only treatment remedy. One treatment will usually eliminate all visible hairs, but because hair growth is not synchronized, there are many hair follicles under the skin that contain hairs in the beginning growth stage or the dormant state. All hairs go through a growth and replacement cycle and, with successive treatments, the hairs will be treated as they emerge during the cycle. Hair on various parts of the body has different growth cycles. The first stage of the cycle is the anagen or growing stage. This is the optimum time for a successful treatment because it is before the hair follicle reaches its maximum depth and the hair bulb is attached to and nourished by the papilla. Therefore, treatment of the hair in the early stage of its appearance is very important to destroy the papilla.

Comfort and Sensitivity

In removing unwanted hair, the degree of discomfort varies with each individual's tolerance, but most patients find it no worse than tweezing. With patience, expertise and skill, the well-trained electrologist is able to help many persons overcome their feeling of inferiority or other psychological problems stemming from unwanted and bothersome hair growths.