Next to acne, unwanted hair is a major pain in the rear for most women. There are zillions of treatments hyped up to remove unwanted hair and one of them is laser. Today, hair is being removed by a variety of lasers including alexandrite, diode, neodymium, YAG, ruby lasers and intense pulsed light.
Even though every Tom, Dick and Harry is now offering laser for hair removal, there are no decent studies to determine if it is an effective treatment. The few reports indicate that both alexandrite and diode lasers do reduce hair by 50% in some people and this partial hair-free period lasts anywhere from 3-6 months. The reports also indicate that there is little evidence that IPL, neodymium: YAG or ruby lasers do diddly squat. There is no evidence that any laser treatment can permanently remove hair.
For those of you still interested in laser, do understand that lasers can cause pain, skin redness, discolor your skin and cause keloids- and some of these changes are permanent. And finally, lasers do not come cheap and there is no guarantee that the treatment will work.
Yes, most cosmetic physicians recommend laser as the first line therapy for spider veins. There are numerous types of lasers available and they all work in a similar fashion. Lasers can rapidly destroy spider veins in a short time. Laser does not involve any injections nor does it take a long time to perform. Depending on the number of spider veins, a few sessions may be required. Laser therapy also offers a faster recovery. However, laser does sting and expensive. After laser, spider veins do recur.
Despite some positive testimonials on cyberspace about IPL, the overall impression is that this treatment is just as bad as all other previous laser treatments. Some of the positive testimonials appear to be "fudged" and written by doctors themselves in order to make the treatment look good- so beware. The cosmetic industry is full of charlatans who will say anything to make a buck.
IPL Fotofacial treatments are generally done by physicians but today many non health care individuals have become involved in cosmetic surgery. So before you get your FotoFacial, ask questions and seek a well qualified healthcare worker who has experience with this device. After forking out $600-$1500, the last thing you want is a ruined face.
In the last decade, many skin doctors and plastic surgeons have been offering laser treatment for acne scars. Unlike other treatment, laser resurfacing is more precise and can help smoothen out skin. However, the benefits of laser on acne scar are seen in less than 5% of individuals. In the majority of people with acne scars, the laser makes the scars uglier. Moreover laser also has complications some of which are permanent. If you have one or two small acne scars, then laser is fine but if you have lots of acne scars which are deep, laser is not a recommended treatment. There are some reports that the both the carbon dioxide and Erbium YAG laser may help. However, reports from patients indicate that both lasers suck big time and that this procedure is a rip off. And trust me, laser resurfacing for acne scars can cost as much as a down payment on a home. So the choice is simple- either you get your acne scars fixed and hopefully look good, or have a permanent place to stay which you can call home.
