Cosmetic Dermatology

Laser Hair Reduction

Hair removal is a constant worry for many men and women alike. For patients who are sick of the hassle associated with shaving, waxing and other temporary hair removal techniques, laser hair reduction may be the solution for you. Laser hair reduction exposes specific areas of the body to beams of laser light that disable active hair follicles and delay or prevent re-growth.

Laser hair reduction is ideal for patients with dark hair and light skin, although nearly anyone with unwanted facial or body hair can benefit from this procedure. This procedure can be performed on the lip, chin, neck, back, arms, legs, bikini area and more.

After laser hair reduction, patients may experience redness, puffiness and sunburn sensations for the first few days. You may return to work and other regular activities as soon as you feel comfortable. Three to seven days after treatment, patients may notice what appears to be a re-growth of hair, but is actually a shedding of the treated hair, which will fall out and not grow back.

Since hairs grow at different times, multiple treatments will be needed for all patients at intervals of four to six weeks. The number of sessions depends on several factors, including your hair and skin color, hormone levels, and hair follicle size. The average patient sees up to a 48% reduction in hair growth after three treatments, and up to 80% after six to eight treatments.

Laser Treatment of Telangiectasias

Telangiectasias, or facial spider veins, is a common skin condition that develops as you age. They can also develop as a result of sun damage, rosacea, pregnancy or birth control use. These veins appear on the skin of the face as small, red veins on the nose, chin or cheeks, and are considered to be permanently dilated blood vessels. Although telangiectasias do not spur any medical concerns, many patients are bothered by the appearance of these veins, and seek treatment to reduce them.

Laser treatment, commonly in the form of pulsed dye and pulsed green lasers, are effective in reducing the appearance of telangiectasias and restoring skin to a smoother look and feel, by sealing off the targeted veins. During this procedure, patients may experience a mild sensation of a pinprick, and can choose to have a topical anesthetic applied if necessary.

After laser treatment, some patients may experience redness, tenderness, bruising and pigment changes. These side effects are often mild and go away on their own within a few days. Patients should avoid wearing makeup until the following day, but can resume work and other regular activities immediately following treatment.

Multiple treatments are usually needed in order to achieve optimal results. Treatments can be performed at intervals of four to six weeks, and your doctor will discuss with you how many sessions you will need.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to treat painful, unsightly varicose and spider veins. These veins are treated by injecting a solution of sodium chloride directly into the damaged veins, causing irritation and eventual clotting and collapse of the vein. Sclerotherapy has been used on patients across the world since the 1930s and remains the primary effective treatment for varicose and spider veins.

This procedure is usually performed in your doctor's office and takes no more than an hour. Most patients need 2 to 4 treatments in order to achieve desired results. There is no downtime other than avoiding strenuous activities for the first 2 to 3 days.

While sclerotherapy is proven as an effective treatment for spider veins, it is not recommended for everybody. Pregnant women and those whose saphenous vein are affected are not typically eligible for this procedure. Sclerotherapy is not effective for large varicose veins and is only recommended for smaller, superficial veins. Talk to your doctor to find out if sclerotherapy is right for you.

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