Laser Hair Removal
Laser Hair Removal
For most men, getting rid of excess body hair is a constant chore. Shaving, waxing or trimming can get old fast and may have unintended consequences like razor burns, cuts, or ingrown hairs. If you’re tired of the hassle and want results that last, laser hair removal at Krch Aesthetic Medicine can help you eliminate unwanted hair for good. Utilizing the latest IPL laser technology, Dr. Ryan Krch NMD has helped numerous men in the Phoenix, Arizona area shed their excess body hair and achieve permanent results with no downtime or recovery. Keep reading to learn more about laser hair removal for men below.
What is IPL Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is an effective, long-lasting treatment that permanently reduces hair growth. It works by directing highly concentrated IPL laser energy beneath the skin to target the pigment in hair follicles, precisely destroying only the hair follicle and no other surrounding cells to prevent future growth. At certain stages of a hair follicle cycle, it sheds the hair shaft. During this stage with no hair shaft, the laser has nothing to target and will not destroy hairless follicles. Multiple treatments are needed to get most hair follicles. With multiple treatments, you will eventually catch previous hairless hair follicles with some hair shaft growth providing a laser target and follicle destruction. Once the follicle is destroyed you have permanent hair reduction. This offers several advantages over other hair removal techniques, including:
- Permanent hair growth reduction of 80 to 90 percent
- Permanent Results
- No more shaving, waxing or trimming
- Large treatment areas for improved efficiency
- Helps reduce the long-term cost and time of hair removal
- Can be used almost anywhere on the face or body
At Krch Aesthetic Medicine, your laser hair removal results will be tailored just for you. To ensure maximum effectiveness, the IPL laser device will be calibrated depending on skin tone. Due to the versatility of laser hair removal, this treatment is becoming more popular among men looking to eliminate hair on the chest, back or face and kick their manscaping up a notch.
Is IPL Laser Hair Removal right for me?
You may have heard that laser hair removal is limited to patients with light skin and dark hair, but the advanced IPL laser at Krch AESTHETIC MEDICINE utilizes state-of-the-art technology that can be used on almost any combination of skin or hair colors. This makes laser hair removal a safe and effective treatment for all most men and women who want to eliminate unwanted hair, providing meaningful results regardless of complexion. If you’re interested in laser hair removal, you may be a good candidate if you:
- Face
- Neck
- Chest
- Back and shoulders
- Stomach
- Underarms
- Feet
- Arms and legs
Ideal candidates should be able to commit to a series of four but ideally six treatments to ensure optimal results and be in good health with no pre-existing skin conditions or infections. To determine if laser hair removal is right for you, Dr. Krch will evaluate your goals, needs, and expectations during an in-person consultation. If you are a good candidate, he will develop an individualized treatment plan and provide you with instructions on how to prepare for your upcoming appointment.
Your IPL Laser Hair Removal at Krch AESTHETIC MEDICINE
Before your laser hair removal, you should closely shave treatment but avoid waxing, plucking or depilatory creams to ensure the hair follicle is intact for your appointment. This makes it easier for the laser to target the pigment in the unwanted hair follicle and maximizes the safety and effectiveness of your treatment.
When you arrive for your appointment, Dr. Krch will review your treatment plan before beginning. Once everything is confirmed, any areas being targeted by the laser will be cleansed. A topical anesthetic is generally not needed but can be requested. The laser technician will then give you safety glasses to protect your eyes from any harmful light emitted by the laser and begin your treatment. A handheld device will be used to deliver pulses of IPL energy to vaporize unwanted hair follicles, each burst lasting a few micro-seconds. Most patients compare the sensation to a rubber band lightly snapping on the skin, but it is generally well-tolerated. The laser can work quickly to eliminate unwanted body hair by targeting hundreds of follicles with each pulse The overall length of your procedure will depend on the size of areas being treated. After your procedure, you’ll be free to return home and resume your normal routine with some short restrictions on exercise and avoiding sun exposure.
What happens after IPL Laser Hair Removal?
You may have some redness, swelling, or irritation immediately after your treatment, but this is normal and will subside over the next few days. Dr. Krch may recommend a steroid cream or ice to reduce inflammation and will provide you aftercare instructions to ensure a good outcome. For the next few weeks, treated areas will be more sensitive to harmful UVB rays, so you’ll need to use a broad-spectrum 30 SPF or higher sunscreen to protect your skin and cover treated areas with UV blocking protective clothing especially on exposed areas like the face, arms or shoulders. Other than these considerations, there is no aftercare protocol to follow and you will be able to resume all normal activities after your laser hair removal.
What kind of results can I expect from IPL Laser Hair Removal?
You will notice a reduction in unwanted body hair immediately after your first laser hair removal treatment and improvements will continue over the next few weeks. Hair growth occurs in cycles, however, so a series of treatments is needed for comprehensive permanent results. Most patients achieve an optimal outcome after six treatments, achieving an 80 to 90 percent reduction of hair. Over time, touch-up appointments can help you maintain a clean, fresh body free of unwanted hair by quickly eliminating any new growth that may occur.
How does it work?
- When injected into the area beneath your chin, Kybella® destroys fat cells. Once destroyed, those cells cannot store or accumulate fat.
- The active ingredient in Kybella® is deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat.
- Fat cleared from the treatment area is processed through your body's natural metabolism.
How many treatment sessions will I need?
- Your healthcare provider will help you determine how many treatment sessions you need, based on the amount and distribution of you submental fat and your personal treatment goals.
- Up to 6 treatments may be administered, spaced no less than 1 month apart.
- Fifty-nine percent of people treated with Kybella® in clinical studies received 6 treatments.
How is Kybella® administered?
- Kybella® is given during an in-office visit. The injection process may take 15-20 minutes.
- Your healthcare provider will give you a series of injections into the fat under your chin at each treatment session.
What can I expect after my treatment session?
Downtime
For most patients, downtime occurred most commonly after the first treatment session.
Daily Activities
You should be able to resume your daily activities, but are likely to have swelling so keep your social plans and work commitments in mind when scheduling your treatment.
Pre-Op
Prior to your treatment session, your healthcare provider may apply ice/cold packs or topical and/or injectable local anesthesia to the treatment area to make you more comfortable.
Post-Op
After treatment, apply ice or a cold pack to the treatment area for 10 to 15 minutes, as needed.
Will there be side effects?
The most common treatment area side effects include:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Pain
- Numbness
- Redness
- Areas of hardness
Kybella® can cause serious side effects, including nerve injury in the jaw that can cause an uneven smile or facial muscle weakness (experienced by 4 out of 100 people in clinical studies) and trouble swallowing (experienced by 2 out of 100 people in clinical studies).
If these statements apply to you, ask your doctor if Kybella® is right for you.
Before receiving treatment, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have had or plan to have surgery on your face, neck, or chin; have had cosmetic treatments on your face, neck, or chin; have bleeding problems; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if Kybella® will harm your unborn baby); or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed (it is not known if Kybella® passes into your breast milk; talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you receive Kybella®).