Can you second-degree burns from laser hair removal procedures?

Yes, you can! Depend on two factors:

• Who operates the laser, and
• What light-based device is used

Contemporary lasers use skin cooling to protect the top layer of the skin (epidermis) during treatment, thus lowering the risk for burns. Few laser do not require any skin cooling and are relatively painless. It is not unusual to experience redness, mild pain and swelling after laser-assisted hair removal.

Second-degree burns, severe pain, and blistering of the skin are very uncommon these days. However, sensitivity to the treatment can vary from person to person. Speak with your physician to discuss realistic expectations and potential side effects prior to any procedure. Educate yourself about different types of lasers before you schedule a “free consultation” with a laser technician. If the front desk person cannot answer simple questions about the lasers or IPLs they use – check out another laser clinic and ask around to get you questions answered. It is important to visit a physician (family doctor, dermatologist or plastic surgeon) with advanced training in the use of light-based devices (lasers and IPLs) for medically related cosmetic procedures. Ask to see “before and after” pictures and find out what side effects you may expect.

When discussing laser-assisted hair removal, you may hear names of devices with differing wavelengths and power, including ruby (RubyStar, Sinon); alexandrite (Apogee, Epitouch Alex, Gentlelase); Diode (LightSheer); intense pulsed light (IPL); Q-switched Nd:YAG; and Long-pulsed Nd:YAG lasers. There are others, but what’s important to know is how they will work for you. These factors can impact your results:

• Skin color (light or darker) – fair-skinned individuals with darker hair may have better results, but even very skin types can be very effectively treated with Nd:YAG lasers
• Hair color (dark, blond, red, grey) – darker hair has more pigment and can be treated more effectively and faster; in contrast blond or grey hair is difficult to remove due to lack of pigment
• Thickness of hair (fine, dense) – minor factor for the newest lasers but can be an issue with low-power lasers
• Location of hair (face, back, bikini line) – the legs will take a lot longer to treat than facial hair
• Whether or not the area of unwanted hair is tanned – only Nd:YAG can handle tanned skin, you may have to wait or bleach the skin prior to laser hair removal treatment
• Presense of any moles, surgical scars or tattoos in the area to be treated – if you have a tattoo under the hair the treatment will be a lot more painful, multiple sessions will be required and your tattoo will fade
• Previous methods of hair removal – your body may develop resistance to light-based treatments if you have had low power or IPL treatments before
• Medical conditions contributing to the hair growth (thyroid disease, polycystic ovarian disease, others)
• Any current evidence of infection (such as herpes simplex or bacterial infection) would need to be treated prior to a laser procedure.
• Additionally, you need to avoid tanning and/or sunless tanners, waxing, plucking or electrolysis of the hair in the region under consideration for laser hair removal.

Lasers use beam high power light that is absorbed by the dark pigment (melanin) in the shaft of the hair follicle, causing it to vaporize. Over time (often every 4 to 8 weeks) and through multiple treatments (usually 6 to 9, but this varies as hair grows in cycles) there’s a reduction in hair growth in the treated area. And, if this hair does regrow, it tends to be lightly pigmented with a very fine texture. Minor side effects are common, including a very brief burning or stinging sensation during treatment as well as redness, mild discomfort and minimal swelling for one to five days after treatment.

All other hair removal options, such as shaving, bleaching, plucking or tweezing, and chemical depilatories are commonly used for unwanted hair on the face, eyebrows and bikini area, while inexpensive on a per treatment basis, are painful and all hair regrows in a matter of days or weeks. Side effects may include skin irritation, burning, and in some cases, scarring.

Eflornithine 13.9 percent cream is available by prescription and is often used for unwanted facial and neck hair. It needs to be used on a daily basis to prevent regrowth. This product may also enhance the effectiveness of laser-assisted hair removal in women with facial hair.

Electrolysis involves destruction of the growth center of hair follicle with heat or chemical energy delivered through a hair-thin electrical probe. This technique can be used on different areas of the body, especially the face. Multiple treatments are often involved and can be very effective for permanent hair removal.

Threading involves twisting cotton threads around rows of hair in order to pull them out. This technique offers a hair-free period that may last up to several weeks. It is often used on eyebrows.

Sugaring involves the application of a paste made from sugar, lemon and water. While results are similar to waxing, it is usually less painful as the paste sticks to the hair, not the skin. It is often used to remove hair located on the face and other sensitive areas.

LaserOffers.com comment

Calculate what you have spent over the years, estimate how much you will spend on hair removal in the years to come, and you will realize that laser hair removal is the most economical, time saving and effective way to get rid of unwanted hair.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery is a professional medical society whose members are dermatologic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, head and neck surgeons, general surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, or ocular plastic surgeons — all of whom specialize in cosmetic surgery.

The AACS has completed its annual Procedural Survey and the most notable finding is the shift towards non-invasive laser treatments.

Over the past three years, cosmetic surgeons have seen a significant increase in both males (456%) and females (215%) electing to have laser resurfacing. Laser resurfacing is performed with a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser that delivers short bursts of high-energy laser light to minimize wrinkles and lines on the face. In addition, laser hair removal has jumped to the overall number two most performed non-invasive cosmetic procedure.

“Cosmetic surgery technology is advancing at the speed of light,” states AACS President Patrick McMenamin, MD. “As we learn more about the cosmetic uses for lasers, the more patients benefit from effective results and quicker recovery time. It is an exciting time for both cosmetic surgery patients and physicians.”

Although the economy is struggling, these laser procedures seem to be recession resistant. For instance, laser resurfacing has seen an approximate $450 decline in price since 2002. “As long as these procedures are effective and affordable, their demand will continue to remain steady.”

Other notable findings from the survey include:

In 2008, cosmetic surgeons have seen a 29% increase in their female clientele. Despite the economy, women are continuing to invest in their appearances. In addition, cosmetic surgeons have seen a 2% decline male patients proving that when times are tough, cosmetic surgery is the one of the first things men delete from their wish lists.
The top three most performed invasive cosmetic procedures in 2008 include: liposuction, blepharoplasty and breast augmentation; while the most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedures were Botox(R) injections, laser hair removal and hyaluronic acid.

The 2008 Procedural Data is based on a survey of U.S.-based AACS members completed in December 2008. The entire report, conducted by RH Research, is available by contacting the Academy.

Related Documents

• AACS 2008 Procedural Survey Results
• AACS 2008 Procedural Survey Fact Sheet
• AACS Economic Fact Sheet

Cynosure has a new machine for the American Academy of Dermatology’s 67th Annual Meeting in San Francisco – Elite MPX for its Smartlipo MPX laser lipolysis workstation.

Through the company’s patented MultiPlex(TM) technology, Elite MPX combines two wavelengths — 755nm Alexandrite and 1064 nmNd:YAG – along with Xenon Pulsed Light (XPL2) technology to create one of the industry’s most powerful workstations for vascular treatment, hair removal and skin rejuvenation. In addition, Cynosure is introducing two new intelligent delivery systems for the Smartlipo MPX workstation for laser lipolysis: SmartSense with ThermaGuide and ThermaView, the world’s first subcutaneous temperature sensing technology and thermal imaging system for Laser Body Contouring.

Elite MPX incorporates Cynosure’s proprietary MultiPlex technology, which sequentially fires two wavelengths for more effective treatments than single-wavelength systems. A completely new software system runs the graphically enhanced Graphic User Interface, which makes its operation simple and easy.

The workstation also features a built-in Zimmer SmartCool(R) skin cooling system that is exclusive to Cynosure. Rather than requiring a separate SmartCool device, Zimmer technology is integrated into a single compact module, saving precious office space and reducing treatment time. In addition, the Elite MPX includes eight different spot sizes, including an 18mm spot size that results in 44% more treatment area per pulse than standard spot sizes.

“Cynosure’s Elite MPX is a powerful and versatile system that enables clinicians to customize treatments for a broad range of skin types and conditions, including sun-damaged skin, pigmented lesions, dyschromia and rosacea,” said Emil Tanghetti, M.D., Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of California, Davis and Director of The Center for Dermatology and Laser Surgery, Sacramento, California. “As practitioners, we are seeing a growing cultural diversity within our patient base, and I expect the Elite MPX will provide benefits across the spectrum of applications for these patients.”

According to InMedica, the worldwide demand for hair removal, pigmented lesion removal and vascular lesion removal is expected to increase from $650 million in 2007 to $750 million by 2010.

SmartSense with ThermaGuideis equipped with a thermal sensing cannula for measuring temperatures in the subcutaneous areas of the body. This technology allows the practitioner to set temperature thresholds to achieve targeted and controlled energy delivery for a safe and optimal clinical endpoint.

The ThermaView thermal camera system measures skin surface temperature and provides a visual map of temperatures within the treatment area in order to provide a homogeneous delivery of thermal energy. This intelligence is integrated into the Smartlipo MPX system. As a result, thermal energy is delivered to a targeted temperature setting, helping to ensure the safe and effective treatment of the superficial layer of the surface area.

LaserOffers.com comment

Many people will call these advances bells and whistles. We disagree. Cynosure has come up with a lot of real technological advances rolling out this system. High capacity, large volume clinics will benefit from it, if they can afford it. All it takes to get your money back is a few hundred patients a month. Every month.