Hair reduction

Permanent hair reduction is a technology that is being enjoyed by many women and men. Sometimes we have hair in areas where we don’t want it, based on our culture, hormone status, age, medical conditions, or we just don’t want it present!  We have the technological ability to reduce the growth to extremely minimal, so shaving is no longer needed.   This is becoming increasingly popular especially in our beach area.  It is very modestly priced and available to everyone.

Hair reduction uses broad band light, or IPL (intense pulsed light) to target the dark hair and attract the light into the follicle where the powerful pulsed light damages the follicle, therefore decreasing or stopping the growth of that hair.  There is a strong snap discomfort with each pulse, but it is tolerable.  An area can take 1 to 3 treatments to have significant reduction in growth where shaving is not needed or needed very little.  This can decrease irritation of the skin by shaving or waxing, and decrease the cost of future razors or wax or depilatory treatments.  It does require maintenance in the long run; some follicles tend to grow again to some extent, and they can be treated with IPL again, every 6 months to 1-2 years. 

The best combination is dark hair and light skin; then the follicle area is treated very effectively with little energy going to the skin.  IPL hair reduction is not good for white or blonde hairs because they don’t attract the light, and cannot be used in the presence of skin lesions or infections.

Popular areas to be reduced are the lips, chin, neck, and other areas of the face in women, underarms, bikini line, legs, Brazilian genital treatment, and other areas.  Men frequently get the neck, back, underarms, and other areas treated.

If permanent hair reduction is for you, give me a call and let me know how I can help!  850-916-7766

Author

Karen E Kennedy MD Gynecologist for over 21 years in Gulf Breeze, FL, caring for patients in the Florida panhandle area.