Laser Treatments in Dermatology and Cosmetology- FAQ
Dr.Radha Lachhiramani, MBBS; MD; DCD (UK), MS (Clinical Dematology, UK)
Laser Treatments in Dermatology and Cosmetology FAQ will discuss the most frequently asked questions on laser treatments in dermatology and cosmetology in UAE.
Most Frequently Asked Questions about Laser Treatments in Dermatology and Cosmetology:
The effects of laser treatments are cumulative, producing progressively more dramatic results with each treatment. Small facial veins, which are easy to target are often completely eliminated by only 1-2 treatments. More complicated and difficult to target broken capillaries, Rosacea and spider veins may take 2-3 follow up treatments, though a dramatic reduction is usually apparent after the initial treatment.
Hair removal results are seen after 1- 2 weeks , when hairs that are destroyed by laser fall off. However since new follicles will grow , these take 5-6 visits for all hair to fall .
For pigmented lesions, results should become apparent after a few days following the initial treatment. For darker and well-defined spots, 1-3 treatments may be needed. Larger pigmented areas such as melasma or café-au-lait, progressive changes will accumulate over 3-6 treatments until the desired improvement is achieved.
For well-defined facial spider veins, as few as 1-2 treatments are typically all that is needed. For rosacea, broken capillaries and pigmented lesions, a series of 4-6 treatments spaced 3-4 weeks apart is standard.
Occasionally more treatments may be needed for certain individuals or conditions. Leg spider veins typically require from 2-4 treatments. Depending on the underlying medical conditions and lifestyle factors that give rise to lesions, periodic maintenance treatments may be needed for lasting results.
Permanent hair removal typically requires 5-6 visits
Hair grows in 3 phases. 1) The active growth phase - the part of the follicle that actually generates the hair (the papilla) is present and is growing a hair. 2) The mature phase - when the hair has stopped growing and the papilla has disappeared. 3) The dormant phase - the follicle is preparing to "shed" the old hair (exfoliation) and cycle back to the active growth phase.
On average, a hair follicle will cycle through the phases every 4-12 weeks depending on which part of the body the hair is growing. When dark hair is treated, it is always vaporized regardless of the phase. However, the follicle itself will stop making hair only if treated during the active growth phase - when the hair shaft is still connected to the root, making it vulnerable to the laser energy which destroys it.
Therefore, the patient must return for 5-6 repeat visits of laser hair removal approximately 4-6 weeks apart until every follicle is caught in the active growth phase to achieve permanent hair removal.
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Are there any laser treatment side effects?
Laser treatments provided are known to be very safe, with virtually no "down time" and a very small risk of any permanent unwanted side effects. A bit of moisturizer and the usual makeup will have patients back to their normal activities immediately after treatment.
Immediately following a laser procedure, you will experience some redness and slight swelling of the treated area, which usually dissipates within a few hours. In rare cases this may last a few days, and in a few cases, facial capillaries may turn slightly purple for a few days before they completely fade. Treated leg veins often completely disappear on the first treatment, but may leave a residual reddish shadow or develop a 'cat scratch' appearance that typically disappears in 8-12 weeks, or which may simply scab and fall off.
After treatment, pigmented lesions are often darker than before, and will naturally peel for 1-2 weeks. Successive treatments and peeling of the pigmented lesion should dramatically reduce the lesion and usually eliminate it completely. Moisturizer and/or makeup can be applied to the treated area immediately after each procedure if desired. Additionally hair growth may be impaired in the treated area although it is not the intended purpose of the particular treatment.
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Are laser treatments painful?
Most treatments are remarkably comfortable. Patients have actually fallen asleep during the Laser Face-Lift. For facial veins and pigmented lesions, patients report barely feeling anything at all. For leg veins the sensation will vary from a slight tingling to a mild stinging that lasts for a split second depending on how large and how deep the vein is.
For hair removal the sensation is often described as a rubber-band snap, and the degree of discomfort depends on what area is being treated and how dense the hair bed is. Patients unanimously report that laser hair removal is a "piece of cake" compared to waxing.
Virtually all patients report that though the sensation may be uncomfortable (if at all) it is completely tolerable. For patients who are particularly sensitive, we recommend taking any over-the-counter painkiller that does not have blood thinning characteristics one hour before the treatment.
