Laser hair removal is one of the leading cosmetic procedures
requested by our patients today. Nearly half a million laser hair removal treatments
were performed by dermatologic surgeons in 2011, the last year for which
figures are available, according to the American Society for Dermatologic
Surgery.
Laser hair removal uses pulses of laser light to destroy
hair follicles and permanently remove unwanted hair. The procedure provides
three main benefits:
-It’s precise.
When performed properly, the lasers can target and destroy dark, coarse hair
without damaging the surrounding skin.
-It’s fast. It
only takes a fraction of a second to destroy a hair follicle, and the laser can
treat many hairs at the same time.
-It’s effective.
On average, 90 percent of patients have permanent hair loss after an average of
three to five sessions.
However, complications resulting from poorly performed laser
procedures led to a surge in litigation in recent years. A recent study
published in JAMA Dermatology showed
the percentage of lawsuits over laser surgery that involved a non-physician
operator increased to 78 percent in 2011 from 36 percent in 2008. Laser hair
removal was the most commonly performed procedure cited in the litigation.
Performed improperly, laser hair removal can cause
disfiguring injuries, severe burns and, on the rare occasion, death. It is
extremely important to consult a qualified medical professional to perform laser
hair removal.
Using a laser requires planning by trained physician who can
assess your skin type, perform a proper skin screening prior to treatment and
create an appropriate schedule for follow-up treatments. Your dermatologist
will be able to advise you on the best options to protect your health and
provide optimum results.
Dr. Miller is a board-certified dermatologist and is a
licensed and trained laser hair removal operator. If you are considering laser
hair removal, schedule a consultation with Dr. Miller by calling Greenville
Dermatology today at (864) 242-5871.
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