Dr. Alex Kaplan has been the Medical Director of Celebrity Laser Spa in Los Angeles (http://celebritylaserspa.com/cosmeticlaser.htm) since it opened in 2005. The clinic has remained at the forefront of laser procedure usage since that time.
Dr. Kaplan graduated from medical school in 1996 from the University of Michigan and attended residency training at University of Chicago in Plastic and General Surgery. He is also a member of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Kaplan is currently on staff at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center.
What are the benefits of laser hair removal over other hair removal methods?
Laser hair removal has many advantages over preceding methods. The greatest advantage is [click to continue…]
Laser hair removal is generally an efficient method that can result in permanent or long term hair reduction. However, it is known not to permanently remove all the hair in any area with a single session, so prospective clients often wonder how many sessions they will need to get rid of their unwanted hair. While it is impossible to say in advance exactly how many sessions a client will need, it is possible to get an estimate, which in turn depends on a variety of factors. Knowing the approximate number of sessions needed can help to understand how long the laser hair removal will take from start to finish, and also the estimated cost associated with it.
The best way to find out approximately how many laser hair removal sessions will be needed is to go on a consultation. Most clinics offer these consultations free of charge. The practitioner will be able to give an estimate number of how many sessions are recommended in order to see a reduction in hair. But the exact number needed is unique, cannot be guaranteed beforehand and depends on various factors such as the density and coarseness of the hair. But some clinics will offer some sort of guarantee, that they will treat the client free of charge if [click to continue…]
Considering how frequently we remove our unwanted hair, the cost of doing so can definitely add up. Most hair removal solutions have a cost associated with them, and having to spend a lot of money on this often unlikable task can get frustrating. Finding an affordable, yet efficient, solution is a goal for many of those who suffer from having excess facial or body hair. Knowing what the costs of the different options are will help to choose the most economical hair removal method.
Laser hair removal can seem expensive at first, but once the cost of temporary methods have been added together, the cost will seem more appealing. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and electrolysis can also come off as pricey at first, but the potential pay off can be big. Laser hair removal aims to permanently reduce hair by treating the area with a handheld device, which will destroy the hair follicles. A similar concept goes for IPL and electrolysis. Hair grows in three different stages so a minimum of three treatments is a must. The cost of each session will depend on [click to continue…]
Laser hair removal and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments are two of few hair removal methods that promise permanent reduction in hair, so it is no wonder that both have been very popular in recent years. Laser hair removal and IPL sessions are quite similar in practice but the technology behind the machines is not the same: IPL uses light energies, while laser machines are real lasers.
Even though laser hair removal and IPL are not exactly the same, they remove hair in a highly comparable way. Both machines produce heat while in operation, and the handheld device that comes along will need to be pressed against the skin, a few seconds at a time, until the entire area has been treated. The heat from these devices will burn the hair at the root and make it hard for it to grow back, hopefully not at all. The skill of the practitioner is important as he or she might need to make adjustments, or choose a different machine, depending on the skin and hair color of the client.
Both IPL and laser hair removal will generally work best on individuals with [click to continue…]
There are many different types of skin conditions, and while some of them may not be suitable for laser hair removal, a few of them might actually improve with laser treatment. While it may be tempting to go for a laser hair removal session regardless of any skin condition, it can possibly lead to side effects, so it is best to consult with a dermatologist before making any decisions. Only a doctor can truly determine if a certain skin condition can handle a laser session.
Having a sunburn is perhaps one of the more common skin conditions where laser hair removal cannot be performed. A laser hair removal machine produces heat. And adding heat to an area that already has a sunburn will make it worse. Clients with skin that has hypertrophic scarring or keloid formation can sometimes undergo laser hair removal but should have lower settings in order to avoid complications. Individuals with [click to continue…]
The list of post treatment instructions that the laser hair removal practitioner will give the client before the first session are important to follow and requires close attention once the laser session is completed. This is because certain things can aggravate the skin following a laser hair removal session, and needs to be avoided. Keeping the skin in the best condition possible will not only make sure that the skin heals properly but also allow the treatment schedule to proceed as planned.
The exact set of laser hair removal post treatment instructions depends on the clinic and the practitioner but they are usually quite similar. Immediately after a laser hair removal session, the skin can be slightly red and irritated, but this is completely normal. The irritation might feel like a mild sunburn and can last a couple of days. A mild, fragrance free lotion can be applied in order to moisturize the skin. If there is pain or discomfort, ice or a cold compress can be applied to the skin, for about 10 minutes several times a day until the area feels better. Due to the irritated skin, natural sun as well most types of chemical creams, including tanning agents, should be avoided until the skin has healed.
Scratching and touching the skin too much after a laser hair removal session should also [click to continue…]
Laser hair removal is most definitely a quick and easy procedure, but does require some caution in form of following the pre treatment instructions given by the laser hair removal practitioner. The instructions are in place to protect the client’s skin as much as possible by taking certain steps. Ignoring the instructions can result in side effects or a less efficient session, but by closely following them a safe and pleasant treatment can be had every time.
The exact list of pre treatment instructions for a laser hair removal session will wary by clinic, but there are some general guidelines in place that are the result of many years of experience. One of the most common factors is to avoid all kinds of tanning about 4 weeks before a laser treatment, including tanning agents. While there are laser hair removal machines that can safely treat tanned skin, some experts believe that the best results will be obtained if the client allows their skin to be in its original tone prior to treatment. Tanned skin can interfere with and complicate the laser treatment, especially if the laser practitioner does not have a suitable laser machine on hand. Tanned skin can sometimes also have a mild burn or irritation, and lasering over it could lead to a more severe burn. Unless absolutely unavoidable, in which case the client would need to find a practitioner who lasers tanned skin, the consensus is to not tan prior to a laser hair removal session. [click to continue…]
Even though laser hair removal is generally a safe treatment it does carry a small risk of certain side effects: most of them harmless but some of them serious. The more harmful ones include burns and changes in skin tone, while the lighter side effects usually mean some skin irritation or redness. However, the majority of these side effects can be avoided if the person who will be undergoing the treatment is well-informed.
The reason why laser hair removal can leave side effects is because of the strong amount of heat that is applied to the skin. The heat is needed to destroy the hair follicles, and without it laser hair removal won’t be efficient. But the heat, especially if it’s too strong, can cause some damage to the skin as well. However, if there is a small amount of redness or irritation after the treatment, there is no need to worry, it is normal and happens to most people who undergo laser hair removal. But if there is a more severe burn that causes pain and persists for several days, one should contact a doctor for help and advice. Most side effects will go away on their own, except hypo and hyper pigmentation, lightening and darkening of the skin. These two conditions can have a harder time to go away, but treatment is available. [click to continue…]
Unwanted hair in lighter colors, such as gray and white, may not be as visible as darker ones, but can still cause plenty of frustration. Lighter hair that is not wanted can appear just about anywhere: for women, it can be the legs, chin or upper lip, and for men, usually the chest, arms or shoulders. However, while lighter and darker hair can be equally embarrassing they do not have the same options when it comes to hair removal. Darker shades do have an advantage, but there are other efficient ways to remove both gray and white hair.
There are only three methods of hair removal that offer long term reduction of hair: IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), laser hair removal and electrolysis. IPL and laser hair removal will most likely not work on gray and white hair and the reason why is because the hair is not dark enough, or does not contain enough pigment. The color of the hair is an essential part of light and laser based treatments. The IPL or laser device will distinguish the darker hair from the skin, and when the hair is dark it will absorb the light or laser better. These devices produce heat when they are in use and the ability to absorb the heat will make the hair burn down, which is the essentially the whole point. [click to continue…]
Laser hair removal is one of the more effective methods, with a fairly big chance of having most of the hair removed and the results lasting for a longer period of time. While the method usually does not lead to permanent removal of all hairs, it can easily lead to several months or years of smooth and hair free skin. And the promise of not having to deal with unwanted hair for extended periods of time is what has made it a very popular treatment in recent years, but while it can certainly lead to great results, it will not be efficient on everyone.
While there are machines that can treat tanned and dark skinned clients, laser hair removal is believed by many to be the most efficient on individuals with fair skin and dark hair. This is because the laser will distinguish the dark from the light, and target the dark. While there are machines that can treat those who do not have fair skin, there aren’t many machines that can treat those with light hair colors, which means that laser hair removal will generally not be efficient on individuals with white, grey and blonde hair. [click to continue…]
