Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a method of removing unwanted body hair through the use of laser technology. A high intensity beam of light which gives off a lot of heat energy is directed at hair follicles to damage and stunt re-growth of the hair. It is a fairly painless procedure and a huge improvement in near-permanent hair removal methodology compared to painful electrolysis.

One of the great things about laser hair removal is the relative safety when compared to other forms of cosmetic enhancement procedures. The laser does not penetrate past the top layer of your skin and when it is zapping away at hair, the surrounding tissue is left unharmed.

Different parts of the body will experience different sensations depending on the sensitivity of the skin. Overall it is a painless procedure and some patients report having a warm sensation on the area being treated. The sensation can range from a mild stinging in the skin or slight tingle.

The level of discomfort during the laser procedure is negligible compared to the pain of pulling hair by the roots after applying hot wax all over your skin. The lasting effects of laser hair removal and the freedom of having to worry about the next waxing session makes the upfront cost of laser treatment well worth the price.

As far as treatment goes, a single session can last anywhere from fifteen minutes to forty-five minutes depending on the size of the area. And in many cases, multiple sessions are required as follow-up.

After the first treatment, it is typically reported that the hair re-grows 80% thinner. The area that is being treated then proceeds to re-grow thinner until no re-growth is left. Follow up sessions are usually a month apart for two to eight months.

The cost of such a procedure depends on a variety of factors. The key factors include the part of the body from which the hair is to be removed, the number of sessions required, and the doctor's charge for his or her service.

Clinics use a wide variety of methods to price the treatment and it is up to you to ask how the bill will be determined, and to get a quote for the procedure. In the long-run, many patients find that the money for laser hair removal is well worth the benefits of never having to shave or wax the same area ever again.

July 19 2009 | Cosmetic Surgery | No Comments »

How Hylaform or Restylane Injections Help Fight Wrinkles

Restylane and Hylaform are two new injections for smoothing wrinkles and laugh lines that are highly effective, give beautiful results, and are less invasive than many other injection treatments for wrinkles.

You've probably seen advertisements for Reestylane and Hylaform and how they will take years off of your face. You may wonder how they work and if they work.

The injections have fewer problems than other types of injections for smoothing wrinkles, and those who use them prefer their ease of use.

Other injections for sculpting and removing wrinkles are made from animal based products. By contrast, Restylane and Hylaform are created from non-animal, biodegradable substances.

The major ingredient in the two products is hyaluronic acid, a substance found naturally in our bodies, that provides fullness and volume to the skin. This natural base makes Restylane a favorite in the wrinkle removal field.

This is in direct contrast to Botox, which is a drug, not a natural product. Botox blocks the nerves from transmitting and relaxes the muscles under the nerves. Restylane, on the other hand, fills in folds and wrinkles with a natural filler.

The Restylane and Hylaform products have very few side effects and nearly no allergic reactions. With animal based injection, there is a high percentage of patients who have an allergic reaction to the products.

This reaction causes swelling, itching and redness, and embarrassment for the patient. However, these side effects are nearly all connected to the animal proteins in those products, and Restylane has none of those acids, so there is little to no incidence of allergic reactions.

In fact, with other products, patience have to go through and experimental prick and small injection to test for allergic reactions. With Restylane and Hylaform, that testing step is completely eliminated.

That means faster treatment for you, and faster results. Not only can you have the procedure early, but you'll see the effects for a long time as well.

The effects of Restylane last up to six months, which means less frequent injections and more natural looking results. Eventually the acid is absorbed into the skin naturally so there is never a unnatural or unattractive look.

The treatments generally last only 20 or 30 minutes, and the process usually takes only one treatment to produce effective results.

There is generally no pain involved in the Restylane procedure. The ultra thin needles and technology involved mean minimal discomfort for the patient. This gentle treatment allows patients to return to work, school, and regular daily activities immediately, with little or no visible sign of swelling or redness, just beautiful skin and no wrinkles.

Despite the mildness of the treatment, you should avoid St. John's Wort, high doses of Vitamin E supplements, aspirin and ibuprofen. These items may increase the incidents of bleeding at the site of the injection.

There is a small chance of facial cold sores, if a patient has had a problem with these in the past there is a small chance that the needle puncture could cause a recurrence.

June 17 2009 | Cosmetic Surgery | No Comments »