Ethos Spa, Skin and Laser Center in Summit, NJ Offers Laser Hair Removal for All Skin Types

April 26, 2010 - PRLog -- Laser hair removal is one of the most popular cosmetic procedure performed in medical spas and physician offices.  There are several factors that you need to be aware of when choosing a provider to perform this service.  Lasers and other light based sources such as intense pulse light (IPL)  are used to remove unwanted hair from virtually any part of the body.  Lasers remove hair based on the principles of selective photothermolysis, meaning that pigment in the hair follicle and shaft are the target of the treatments.  This implies that clients with dark hair are much better candidates than clients with blonde, white, or red hair.  With earlier laser technology, only clients with lighter skin types were candidates but newer lasers make it possible to treat all skin types.  The most important factor is the presence of pigment in the hair itself.

There are many different types of lasers and IPL currently utilized for permanent laser hair reduction.  The device that is utilized depends on the availability of the laser, experience of the operator, and hair and skin type that is treated.  One of the best lasers to treat lighter skin types I, II, and III is the alexandrite laser from Candela called GentlaLase.  This laser operates in the 755 nm, which targets the melanin in the hair follicle.  Because it has a shorter wavelenght, absorption is higher for any tissue containing pigment such as hair and skin and therefore is best utilized in lighter skin types such as someone from Ireland or northern Europe.  The GentleLase also employs a DCD or dynamic cooling device which sprays a burst of a cold gas onto the skin before firing.  This protects the skin from thermal injury and allows the energy to be focused on the hair and follicle. The GentleLase is not suited for darker skin types as the higher melanin content in the skin increases the risk for pigment changes and burns.

We also have a diode laser at Ethos Spa, Skin and Laser Center.  We have a 810 nm diode laser from Syneron which combines light and radiofrequency in a synergistic manner to permanently reduce hair.  This longer wavelength can be utilized in all skin types, however there is still potential for pigment changes and burns in the darker skin type such as Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African American.  The coupling of radiofrequency with the laser decreases the light energy necessary to remove hair making it safer than diode lasers without the radiofrequency.

Ethos Spa also has the YAG laser, which can be used safetly on all skin types including Mediterranean, and darker skin types such as South Asians and African American.  The YAG laser operates at the 1064 nm wavelength.  This longer wavelenght makes it a very safe device. Because of the dimished absorption by melanin, the incidence of pigment changes and burns is reduced significantly over older technology.  Lasers can not only remove unwanted hair but also prevent ingrown hairs or a conditions known as pseudofolliculitis barbae.

Finally, IPL or intense pulse light can also be utilzied for laser hair removal.  IPL hair removal does not have to be performed by a physician, and often times is performed by inexperienced personnel leading to pigment changes and burns.  IPL is different than a laser because it is polychromatic, meaning it contains many different wavelength of light.  As a result, darker skin is much more likely to absorb more of the light energy if proper settings are not utilized resulting in complications. We have seen many clients with darker skin types who had IPL treatments for laser hair removal.  They ultimately had pigment changes when they presented to Ethos Spa.  While these changes are most often temporary, they are still an unsightly nuisance.

Multiple treatments are often necessary for permanent laser hair reduction.  In general, darker and thicker hair responds better to treatment than lighter, finer hair.  In general, hair can be present in several different stages.  It is primarily during the anagen phase, or growth phase, that the energy is able to travel down to the hair bulb destroying them.  The cells located in the bulb or root are responsible for hair growth and their destruction is essential in maintaining permanent hair reduction.  The cell growth cycles is varied in different parts of the body.  The hair growth cycles is fast on the face and therefore treatments are performed every 3 to 4 weeks while the cycles is much slower in the leg, occuring every 6 to 8 weeks.  

It is important to avoid tanning while undergoing laser hair removal.  While we have multiple lasers capable of treating all skin types, including tanned skin, we prefer to use the laser which has the greatest efficacy for your skin type.  In addition, waxing and plucking are not recommended during a series of laser hair removal as the presence of hair within the follicle is necessary for effective laser hair removal.  During the treatments, you can bleach, shave, or use a depilatory agent to remove hair.

Costs for laser hair removal can range from $125 per treatment for a small area such as the lip or chin to $800 per treatment for the entire leg.  At Ethos Spa, we offer a lifetime guarantee or free touch ups for life after you buy a package of 5 treatments.  While, these lasers are effective in permanent hair reduction, there is a possibility that you may experience regrowth in as little as 6 months to as long as 5 years.  But after the initial treatments, you never have to pay for any future treatments.  Typically, the hair that does recur tends to be finer and lighter, like baby hair.

Along with the most advanced lasers, we also utilize a topical anesthetic as well as an external cooling device to make the procedure as painless as possible.  Only a board certified physician, properly trained in the use of these lasers and intense pulse light, will perform these procedures on you.  

Most people are candidates for permanent hair reduction.  You can find more information by visiting our website http://www.laserhairnj.com or our main website http://www.myethosspa.com.  All of our consultations are complimentary and we look forward to sitting down with you and going over the procedure. We service clients from Short Hills, Summit, Livingston, New Jersey, Millburn, Chatham, Madison, New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Westfield, Basking Ridge, Far HIlls, Northern NJ, Bernardsville, and all of Union County, Morris County, Essex County, and Monmouth County.

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Luxurious medical spa in an upscale tranquil environment dedicated to advanced skin care products and services including Botox, Juvederm, laser based treatment for skin resurfacing, hair removal, skin tightening. All procedures performed by physicians