Lumenis Lightsheer Hair Removal
LightSheer from Lumenis Aesthetic is the new gold standard for laser hair removal. Now with the ability to treat all skin types and even tanned skin, this procedure has become very popular at our Wilmington plastic surgery office.
Laser hair removal is a long-term or permanent solution to the problem of unwanted body hair. If you are tired of waxing, shaving or electrolysis, this procedure is probably ideal for you. By heating the hair follicle with laser energy, we can stop hair growth in one or multiple areas of your body. Some of the advantages of the Lumenis Lightsheer are:
- Treats all skin types including tanned skin and most hair colors
- Patented ChillTip cools the epidermis for safety and comfort
- Treatment is faster and more efficient than comparable lasers
- Device can also be used to treat leg veins and pigmented lesions
Who’s a good candidate for laser hair removal?
This procedure may be right for you if you are bothered by unsightly body hair and you are tired of traditional hair removal methods. Those with conditions such as hirsutism or pseudofolliculitus are also good candidates. Laser hair removal can be used to stop hair growth on the chest, face, back, legs, arms, bikini line or elsewhere.
Before proceeding with laser hair removal, Dr. Ljung will evaluate your skin type and ask you about your medical history. Be sure to notify the doctor if you are taking any photosensitizing medications, have a photo-aggravated skin disease or active skin infection, or are prone to keloid or hypertrophic scars.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
Laser hair removal is an outpatient procedure performed in an office setting. Your treatment areas are cleansed and the hair is trimmed down to approximately 1-5 mm. To determine the laser’s energy parameters, the doctor will first evaluate your skin type or perform a test patch on a localized area.
The energy level is set for your individual skin type and the doctor applies the laser using a special handpiece. Heat from the laser penetrates the pigment within the hair, effectively disabling the hair follicle and stopping hair growth. Because hair follicles are active in different phases, multiple laser hair removal sessions will be needed to achieve satisfactory results.
After Treatment: What to Expect
Once your procedure is finished, you should schedule a series of laser treatments to achieve long-lasting results. You should also cease all bleaching, plucking or electrolysis procedures. The Lumenis Lightsheer Hair removal system has a built in cooling device, but in some cases, an ice pack may still be applied to the treated area. Lotion and sunscreen is typically applied after treatment and you’ll be instructed to avoid sun exposure.
Possible side effects with laser hair removal include discomfort, blistering or hyperpigmentation. Ask Dr. Ljung for more information if you are concerned about these possibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the LightSheer Laser System work?
The device applies light that is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle. The laser emits a pulse lasting only a fraction of a second - just long enough to damage the follicle. Meanwhile, ChillTip helps protect the skin by conductive cooling.
Why is LightSheer superior to other laser hair removal systems?
The Lumenis LightSheer Laser was designed specifically for laser hair removal. All the components and parameters are ideally suited for this procedure.
Can all skin types achieve the same results?
The settings on the device (pulse width and fluences) can be adjusted for each skin type, so all Fitpatrick skin types (I-VI) can benefit.
Are results permanent?
The LightSheer laser has FDA clearance for hair removal and permanent hair reduction on all skin types. 3 to 5 sessions are typically needed for satisfactory results.
