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ND Yag for Hair Removal

Find Reliable Hair Treatment at
Dermatology Specialists of Charlotte

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ND Yag for Hair Removal

Find Reliable Hair Treatment at Dermatology Specialists of Charlotte

SCITON CLEARSCAN™ for Hair Removal

What is ClearScan for Laser Permanent Hair Reduction?

A new standard of laser hair reduction combining speed, efficacy, safety, and patient comfort.

ClearScan is a noninvasive laser treatment for unwanted hair that selectively emits a beam of light that is highly absorbed in melanin, a component within the follicle that gives hair its color, while at the same time sparing melanin in the skin.  For this reason, ClearScan is comfortable, safe and effective for all skin colors and even sun tanned skin, making it the treatment of choice for unwanted body hair.

FAQs

Yes, all skin colors from light to dark can be treated, as well as safely treating tanned skin. Nevertheless, always inform your clinician if you have been tanning, using tanning products, or have experienced prolonged exposure to the sun within the last three weeks. Your clinician will then adjust your treatment regimen accordingly to give you the safest and most effective experience.

Yes. Pseudofolliculitis is a type of chronic disorder caused by ingrown coarse or curly hairs. This disorder primarily affects darker skin types and the infrared energy which is delivered by ClearScan is the preferred method of treatment.What are the benefits?

  • The FDA approved this technology for permanent hair reduction.
  • A customized program can be designed along with an estimate of how many treatment sessions you may need.
  • Less pain and discomfort compared to other treatment methods.
  • Large areas can be treated quickly.
  • Chance of scarring and pigmentation changes is minimized.

Any area of your body can be treated. The most common areas are the armpits, legs, chest and back. 

Waxing, shaving, and the use of depilatory creams are well-established methods for hair reduction, albeit temporary. Electrolysis is the traditional tried and tested method for permanent hair reduction. However, it is often very time-consuming, painful, and not without complications. With rapid technology development, the most popular and effective method for hair reduction is the use of lasers or intense pulsed light, which are designed to damage and destroy hair in a brief period of time with reduced side effects. People are interested in laser or light hair reduction because the end results are consistent and predictable within a reasonable time frame that fits their lifestyle.

Hair grows in three stages, and when hair is in the anagen stage (growth) it is most vulnerable to laser treatment. ClearScan technology selectively heats the full length of the imbedded hair follicle cutting off its supply of nutrients, thus disabling its growth. Because hair is not always in the anagen stage at one time, multiple treatments must be given over a period of time to treat it while it is in the anagen stage. Your clinician will design a treatment series to reflect your desire for hair reduction in particular body locations.

The procedure is gentle, noninvasive and typically comfortable. The area of your skin that is to be treated will be scanned with laser light. Treatment time will depend on the size of the area to be treated. The continuous cooling feature of the ClearScan will ensure your comfort and safety during treatment. Generally, there is no need for a topical anesthetic. However, your clinician may choose to use it on more sensitive areas.  Laser hair reduction works best when the hair is one to two millimeters in length, so your clinician may ask you to shave or trim the area before your treatment.

The ClearScan laser selectively targets your hair follicles and heats them with infrared energy. Unlike other processes, the laser beam treats many hairs at once making treatment of large areas practical. The ClearScan employs a unique computer guided scanning system that automates the treatment ensuring that your skin is rapidly and evenly treated. The computer sets the parameters and places the beam in an optimum pattern for your skin. With ClearScan, you will have a safe, fast, and effective treatment.

Typically, each laser treatment will be associated with some permanent hair loss. Therefore, in most cases, hair reduction can only be achieved after 6 treatments. The number of treatments will depend on each patient’s individual response to the laser hair reduction treatment and the amount of hair to be removed. Remember that the goal may not be total hair removal. Many patients are happy with a reasonable degree of hair reduction. Also, the hair that remains is often lighter in color and thinner than the original hair prior to laser hair reduction treatment. As with other treatments for unwanted hair, there is no guarantee that laser hair reduction treatment will be permanent.

Most patients describe laser hair reduction as feeling “prickly,” or like the light snap of a rubber band against the skin. Afterwards, it might feel like sunburn. Each patient has his or her own level of skin sensitivity and pain threshold. Different areas on the body are also more sensitive than others. On the day of your treatment, plan on wearing clothing that will allow easy access to the area being treated. You may not need any type of anesthesia for your treatments.

Unwanted hair is usually a cosmetic issue, so in most cases you should expect to pay for treatment. In the rare instances where treatment is considered medically necessary, insurance may cover the cost of treatment. It’s best to speak to your clinician and your insurance company to clarify this question.

No current laser technology causes permanent hair loss.  The hairs regenerate from the bulge portion of the hair follicle.  Cells here can regenerate hair from scratch. This bulge region is damaged by the laser, but probably not destroyed.  Periodic maintenance treatments will be necessary to maintain your results.

Temporary pigmentation changes are possible but seldom occur. Always discuss your concerns with your clinician prior to treatment.

Getting Started
Our physicians in a consultation determine an laser hair removal treatment plan for each new patient, accounting for location and type of hair being treatment.

What to Expect
The procedure is gentle, non-invasive, and safe. There should be minimal or no discomfort, however this varies from patient to patient.

First, the area to be treated is cleansed, the hair is shaved, and a cool gel is applied. During treatment, our clinician gently applies the smooth, glass surface of the hand piece to the skin. Through the hand piece, the laser penetrates the skin to begin destroying the hair follicles. Each pulse may feel like a slight sting or pinch. Most individuals find this to be very tolerable.   Your procedure may take a few minutes to half an hour depending on the size of the area to be treated and the type of the procedure performed.

Most of the hair wipes off immediately; the remaining hair falls out over a period of a week or two.

  • Erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) may be seen for 4 to 6 hours following the laser treatment.
  • The treated hairs may take 7 to 14 days to exfoliate and may appear to be “growing” during this time.
  • Blistering can occur during the first three days following the laser procedure. Blistered areas should be treated with care, keeping the area moist with an ointment until area has healed.
  • Hives may develop, usually resolving in several hours.
  • Pimples may develop in the first few days after treatment. Keep the areas clean and the areas should resolve in a few days.
  • Change in skin color is possible if you have tanned skin. For 2-4 weeks before and after treatment, you should limit your sun exposure. This will greatly minimize the risk of complications.

It is important to follow your physician’s instructions. We will recommend skin care products and provide instructions on how to use them. These will minimize your risk of inflammation or redness and ensure the shortest healing time.

  • Do not rub irritated skin with a face cloth or towel. You should pat dry only.
  • You should not shave the treated area for 1-3 days post treatment.
  • No waxing or plucking is allowed during the course of treatment.
  • Following treatment, ice may be applied to the treated area if desired.
  • Medications containing aspirin or anti-inflammatories (Aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Ibuprofen, etc.) should be avoided for a couple of days before and after treatment.
  • Alcohol intake should be limited. This will help to reduce the risk of trauma and bruising.

Hair grows in three different stages. Hair can only be affected by laser energy when it is in its anagen stage. Additionally, hair located on different body parts has different growth cycles and percentages of anagen hair at any one given time. Due to this physiology, a series of treatments must be given over a period of time, usually 6 weeks apart to address the function of the hair.

Results depend on the amount and thickness of the treated hair as well as the hair growth cycle of the treated area.  We will provide you with complete information about the post treatment care.

You will be sensitive to ultra-violet light and you must avoid direct sun exposure until fully healed. A broad spectrum sunblock with zinc oxide and/ or titanium dioxide as the primary ingredients should be used on a daily basis.

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