Dr. Liao likes her patients to be informed consumers and encourages them to learn as much about this procedure as possible.

LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Unwanted hair can be reduced permanently by Lasers or Pulsed Light. This office offers the super long pulse laser (Palomar SLP 1000) and the Palomar Estelux System.

The Palomar SLP 1000 long pulse is suitable for all skin types. Normally the laser light is absorbed by the pigment cells when they penetrate the skin and the skin may absorb too much light, resulting in overheating of the pigment cellstherefore killing them. The long pulse laser is designed to allow the light energy to go deeper so that pigment cells are safe. Also, it has a cooling hand piece that prevents overheating of the epidermis. So for people with tans, darker skin, e.g. Oriental, Asian, or American African it is safe.

Patients whose hairs are darker will have the best response with laser. The reason is that the pigment in the hair follicle will absorb the laser light and get heated from the light energy. This could cause destruction or damage to the hair follicle. Destruction will result in permanent hair removal, damage will cause stunning of the hair follicle and make it produce a weaker and finer hair.

Patients who have white, blonde or red hair may not have good results, because the pigment in their hair does not absorb enough of the laser energy to cause destruction or damage of the follicle.
Hair goes through different cycles of growth. The anagen (growth), catagen (regression) then telogen (resting) phase. Hair at different parts of the body have different durations for the cycles and they are not synchronous. Laser therapy for permanent reduction is best done during the anagen stage and at any area the hairs are at different phases so we have to laser at 1 to 3 month intervals for a few times to damage or destroy most of the hair.


If you are interested in permanent hair reduction, please make an appointment for a consultation.
During this consultation we have to:
(1) Determine the areas that you want treated. The wider the areas means the more work to be done.
(2) The hair colour as previously mentioned is very important to the success of the procedure. The darker the hair the better the success towards destruction of the follicle.
(3) Determination of skin type.

We use the Fitzpatrick scale I -VI.
Skin type
I - Always burns, never tans.
II - Always burns, sometimes tans.
III - Sometimes burns, always tans.
IV - Minimal burns, always tan.
V - Very rarely burns, moderate pigment.
VI - Never burns, black skin.

Skin types I, II, and III should consider the Estelux (Pulse-light hair removal). It is faster therefore cheaper. However it is not safe for tanned or darker skins, as the pigment cells can get destroyed, resulting in burned skin and later white, non-pigmented spots on dark skin.

(4) Medical history especially oral medications that cause skin to be more photosensetive is very important. A list is provided.

(5) History of Herpes Simplex. The areas treated could activate latent cold sores. Patient should be on antiviral medication.

(6) History of Seizures. Laser light especially the Estelux may trigger seizures.

(7) Previous history of Accutane. Patients must wait at least 6 months and be assessed. Sometimes if the skin is not totally recovered, it is prudent to wait a little longer.

(8) Previous surgeries to skin, e.g. Laser resurfacing, chemical peels or liposuction.

(9) It is in the best interest of the patient to answer the history sheets as accurately as possible in case of any untoward effects.

A Test dose must be done prior to treatment for darker skin types. This is to determine the appropriate power settings for therapy.

Pre treatment instructions will be given and discussed and post treatment will also be discussed at the test dose session.