Laser Hair Removal Austin
From TechHelp
Cadiz Laser Spa 5656 Bee Caves Rd #E201 Austin, TX 78746 (512) 306-1619
Still a relatively new procedure, laser hair removal is older than some people would believe. The process of removing hair with the concentrated light pulses was first experimented with in the 1970’s. However, it did not become available to mainstream America until the nineties. At that point, few knew of its existence, but in 1998 – one year after the FDA approved the lasers for their intended purpose – an article was published by Massachusetts General Hospital, describing the procedure and more people suddenly began paying attention.
Today the procedure is performed in a wide array of different clinics. There are even devices designed to create the same effect, but are marketed for use in the home.
Making it Happen
The basic principle behind Austin laser hair removal is rather simple. The light is drawn to specific colors. Dark shades, which come in the form of melanin within the hair, attract the laser’s attention and the light is able to focus entirely on those dark colors in order to obliterate the hair, without affecting the surrounding area. Of course, complications can arise when the hair is not dark enough or the skin is too close in color. Darker skin tones can suffer, as the melanin in the skin can be mistakenly attacked, resulting in a patchy skin tone after the procedure is complete.
This process is not something that can be accomplished in a single visit to the clinic. Each individual hair on the human body is growing at a different rate. There are three defined stages of growth for a hair. The first is referred to as the Anagen phase or the growth stage. This is the period when hairs are most susceptible to the laser light. However, if the hair has been in place on the body for too long, it will enter the Catagen and Telogen phases. The first is the downward slide, as the hair loses its natural moisture and begins to prepare for shedding. The latter is a phase during which an essentially dead hair barely clings to the body, until it falls. Because a certain percentage of the hairs will not be in the Anagen phase at any given time, a single treatment cannot be expected to be effective on every hair in the region. It can take as many as three to eight visits before a patient sees the desired results. In some instances touch-ups may be needed even beyond that.
Competitors
Lasers are not alone in the world of clinic-based hair removal. Another procedure known as electrolysis has been used for much, much longer. It is considered the only option for permanent hair removal in people with fair hair. It is also able to promise 100% hair removal, as opposed to laser hair removal, which holds no true guarantees. However, the latter remains a preferred option for many patients because it does have a proven history of being reliable and it is faster and less painful than electrolysis.
Choosing a Facility
Regulation of professional hair removal varies from one area to another. In some regions, there are absolutely no guidelines as to who can perform the procedure. This makes it very important for a person to seek references and participate in an initial meeting with the technician before making a decision regarding the procedure.
