Excessive hair growth, or unusual hair growth patterns, is a common problem for many people. Factors such as genetics, endocrine systems, medications and ethnicity influence distribution and growth of hair. Abnormal hair growth is difficult to define. What may be an unbearable burden to one may be unnoticed by someone else. Underlying hormonal problems rarely cause excessive hair growth.

Hair growth cycles between active and resting stages. The growing cycle of body hair lasts only for a few months while as much as 30% of your hair is in the resting stage. This is why you will need a series of treatments.

Laser hair removal is the newest, state-of-the-art procedure to offer you a customized treatment according to your hair color , texture, and body location.. Any hair with at least some pigment in it (black, brown, red, and even some darker blond) can be treated effectively. Blond, gray and fine hair will require more treatments.

After the treatment, your skin will be sensitive, slightly red and possibly swollen. This reaction subsides within hours and your skin returns to normal. You may also experience a slight burning sensation of the skin, comparable with a sunburn. In most cases no special after care is necessary. If you wish, ice packs or a gentle soothing lotion, like Aloe Vera, may be applied to the area. On rare occasions, blistering and/or scabbing may occur. If these reactions occur, the healing will take longer and will require more intensive after care. Please call the office if this condition occurs.

Avoid sun exposure or tanning for at least 2 months after treatment. Exposure to the sun may cause temporary skin changes and "browning". A sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher should be applied.

The laser only treats hairs that are in their active growth phase. The number of active follicles and their cycle time will vary with each area of the body. Follicles that are in a dormant phase (at least two-thirds) are not affected. Additional treatments are performed as hairs that were dormant become active and begin to grow. The number of sessions will vary with each patient and body area. It's important to realize that multiple treatments are certainly required. Usually five treatments 8 weeks apart are required to achieve satisfactory results.

Laser hair reduction is performed as an in office procedure. This procedure should be performed by a doctor or trained aesthetician. They personally evaluate each patient for hair color, texture, skin type and other medical factors prior to suggesting a laser hair removal program.

Suntan will make the laser treatment less effective and increase the chances for an adverse effect such as blisters or burning. Avoid sun bathing and tanning prior to the procedure. The follicle beneath the skin contains the melanin that the laser targets, so avoid waxing, plucking and electrolysis for several weeks prior to the procedure. Additionally, the laser can not be used in cases of active outbreaks of cold sores or Herpes Simplex virus.

The ideal candidate has dark hair and light skin. Dark hairs absorb more of the laser light and lighter skin allows more transmission of the laser light into the follicle.

• Clinics that are reluctant to fully discuss the price over the phone.
• Clinics that will not tell you who will be performing your laser procedure.
• Beware of clinics that are not supervised by a full-time physician.