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Before laser hair removal, you'll be fitted with special goggles to protect your eyes from the laser beam. The doctor may apply a topical anesthetic to your skin to reduce any discomfort during treatment. Don't apply topical anesthetic on your own, unless your doctor provides specific instructions for safe application.
During the procedure
The doctor will press a hand-held laser instrument to your skin. Depending on the type of laser, a cooling device on the tip of the instrument or a cool gel may be used to protect your skin.
When the doctor activates the laser, the laser beam will pass through your skin to the tiny sacs (follicles) where hair growth originates. The intense heat from the laser beam damages the hair follicles, which inhibits hair growth. You may feel a stinging sensation.
Treating a small area, such as the upper lip, may take only a few minutes. Treating a larger area, such as the back, may take several hours.
After the procedure
You may notice redness and swelling for the first few hours after laser hair removal. A stinging sensation may linger for a day or two. The affected skin may also become slightly crusty.
While you're healing from laser hair removal, wash your skin gently with soap and water. Avoid picking at or vigorously scrubbing the affected skin. It's also important to avoid sun exposure — both natural sunlight and tanning beds — for at least one week after treatment. After this period, use sunscreen whenever you're in the sun.
- Shenenberger DW. Removal of unwanted hair. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Vano-Galvan S, et al. Complications of nonphysician-supervised laser hair removal: Case report and literature review. Canadian Family Physician. 2009;55:50.
- Wanitphakdeedecha R, et al. Physical means of treating unwanted hair. Dermatologic Therapy. 2008;21:392.
- Tierney EP, et al. Laser hair removal pearls. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy. 2008;10:17.
- Gold MH. Lasers and light sources for the removal of unwanted hair. Clinics in Dermatology. 2007;25:443.
- Do's and don'ts for laser hair removal. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. http://www.asds.net/DosAndDontsLaserHairRemoval.aspx. Accessed Dec. 3, 2009.
- Laser hair removal information. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. http://www.asds.net/LaserHairRemovalInformation.aspx. Accessed Dec. 3, 2009.
- Casey AS, et al. Guidelines for laser hair removal. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy. 2008;10:24.
- Life-threatening side effects with the use of skin products containing numbing ingredients for cosmetic procedures. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PublicHealthAdvisories/ucm054718.htm. Accessed Dec. 8, 2009.
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