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Laser Hair Removal
Unwanted hair growth may appear on many areas of the body including the upper lip, sideburns, chin, ears, chest, back, armpits (axillae), legs, fingers, feet, or toes and is annoying for both men and women. Lasers help eliminate unwanted hair.
The efficacy of laser hair removal is now generally accepted in the dermatology community, and laser hair removal is widely practiced.
There are many ways to remove unwanted hair including shaving, plucking, electronic tweezers, radiofrequency tweezers, waxing, depilatories (creams), and electrolysis (inserting a needle into each hair follicle one at a time followed by an electric spark to burn out the follicle). Most of these methods, however, are temporary. Topical creams can be applied to slow hair growth on the face in women. Lasers are the main method for permanent hair reduction.
Skin texture and hair color also determine your success with laser hair removal procedures. It is generally believed that the process works best for people whose hair color is darker than their skin color and work less in people with very light or fair skin. However, laser hair treatment is available for a wide array of needs, from a small area of upper lip hair removal for women to full body back hair removal for men.
Laser Treatments
New trends reveal that laser technology is steering the future of
the cosmetic surgery industry. The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
(AACS), a leader in the cosmetic surgery industry, conducted 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 "super-pulsed" carbon dioxide (CO2)
laser 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 are looking to be recession proof.
For instance, laser resurfacing has seen an approximate $450 decline in
price since 2002. "As long these procedures are effective and
affordable, I don't see their demand dropping."
Other notable findings from the survey include:
- Over the past year, 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 cosmetic surgical
procedures in 2008 include: liposuction, blepharoplasty and breast
augmentation; while the most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedures
were Botox® 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.
Source: American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
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