Hangers&Hangers

I have patients telling me all the time that they’ve tried Laser Hair Removal and it doesn’t work.  They have friends that have tried Laser Hair Removal and it doesn’t work.  They’ve gone 10, 12, 15 times and don’t see much in the way of results.  Some say they’ve seen it go away then come back later.  Friends in California say it doesn’t last very long and after a few years it’s all back.

So, why doesn’t Laser Hair Removal work?  Well…there are several reasons.  The first 3 reasons are going to surprise a lot of people and irritate many more.  They sure did upset a few Doctors when they found out.

I was in a conference of Plastic Surgeons, Cosmetic Surgeons and Dermatologists last year when one frustrated physician jumped up half way through the lecture and fumed “You mean to tell me that the thing I spent $60,000 on and have been using for 2 years now, ISN’T EVEN A LASER!!??!”  That’s right.  The majority of people doing “laser hair removal” don’t even own a laser; and, probably don’t even know it themselves!    One of the largest Laser Hair chains in America does not use a laser for their treatments (oh, THEY Know it).  Do you think that could have a little bit to do with the problem….?  Yah think maybe?!

Now, lets say someone really is using a laser for treatments.  What kind of a laser?  (Note:  Reason one is already beyond at least a few well educated Doctors.  Reason two gets much more complicated.)  How much energy, of what wavelength, does it put ON the patient and at what depth and for how long?  Laser pointers used in lecture halls (and to make cats crazy) are real lasers but most people wouldn’t expect them to be very effective in removing hair.  Like wise, lasers used for hair treatments can vary in power by a factor of 10 and there are multiple wavelengths to choose from.  If you read the manufacturer’s literature you will find that each of them says that “…as everyone knows [our wavelength] is the most effective wavelength for removing hair.”  At this point, many doctors would opt to go back to brain surgery.

Ok, you’ve miraculously started your first treatment of laser hair removal with a real laser having the right combination of power, wavelength, pulse width, duration, etc.  Congratulations.  What are your specific treatment parameters going to be?  Say what?!   Yep.  Even the best lasers have the ability to perform a treatment that is so comfortable, safe and quick that it wouldn’t even hurt…a hair follicle.  I’m sorry, but several people have been asking me why laser hair removal doesn’t work.  These are just some of the reasons.  Bet you didn’t know that the FDA has never certified a laser for hair removal did you?   Please, don’t EVEN make me go There!

How about asking me if laser hair removal ACTUALLY DOES WORK?  You don’t get a billion dollar industry that is now even being put in OBGYN offices, dentist offices and even Urologists’ offices that specialize in erectile disfunction (not kidding here) without there being some good science and clinical data to support the concept.  Yes, ‘marketing’ has had more than just a little to do with it too.  But with the right combination of Doctor and equipment (not much different than other procedures if you think about it) results can be outstanding.  And these results can last until one’s hormones decide it’s time to start growing hair in places that Never had hair to begin with.

So how do you find that right combination that will assure you that your money is well spent getting the results that you are expecting?   I’m sorry, I see our time is up.  We’ll have to deal with that issue next time…