Laser Hair Removal - Related FAQ's

Q: I just had laser hair removal on my face for ingrown hairs but now I realize I may want to grow a beard in the future. What should I do?

A: When men have severe scarring and hypertrophic scar bumps on their bearded face and neck (pseudofolliculitis barbae) they are willing to eradicate beard growth permanently. Should you have a minor condition and are just frustrated with it, you shouldn’t do a series of treatments that could permanently prevent you from growing a beard. It is possible that you don’t need laser hair removal to improve your condition of ingrown hairs. Shaving with the grain is very important and not wearing a very tight shirt collar. Once you see the red bump forming, soak the skin with a warm washcloth and you can extract the curved part of the hair that is dipping back down in the skin using a sterile needle and after you’ve cleaned the skin with alcohol. Laser hair removal doesn’t remove the ingrown hairs that are already present, it just minimizes new hair growth so less bumps form.

Q: Is there any reason that I should not have laser hair removal if I was taking Minocin?

A: This antibiotic may make you sensitive to the sun’s rays but the wavelength of most laser hair removal devices is not the same and there shouldn’t be a conflict. Do protect yourself from the sun because sun-induced darkening can negatively affect the laser’s affect on your skin.

Q: Should I expect to see hair fall out after laser hair removal.

A: The hair is shaved close to the skin surface prior to laser hair removal so you shouldn’t see hair falling out, but slow recovery of hair growth. It can take eight or more monthly laser hair removal treatments to reduce 80% of hair growth for 80% of patients undergoing the laser hair removal who are good candidates (dark hair on light skin).

Q: Can I have laser hair removal for eyebrows?

A: Yes, if there is no transmission of laser close to the eye. The area between the eyebrows is commonly done (the unibrow) with very good results. If only a few hairs are to be treated then electrolysis is a worthwhile adventure.

Q: Will laser hair removal damage my ovaries?

A: Laser hair removal, even if done right over the ovaries, can’t penetrate deeply enough to reach the ovaries so you needn’t be concerned about this.

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