Ivy Family Health Updates

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Dr. John Martin discusses the options for hair removal in this segment of Ivy
Family Health Updates with his sister Dr. Kathryn Martin, and his brother Dr.
Edward Martin.

There is a great demand for hair removal among both men and women. Some of
the options include: shaving, tweezing, waxing, chemical depilatories,
electrolysis, and laser hair removal. Only electrolysis and laser can provide
more permanent hair removal.

There are a variety of lasers on the market for hair removal. One of the best
options, in Dr. Martin’s opinion, is Intense Pulsed Light, or IPL. With the
laser, the light penetrates the skin and is absorbed by the pigment in the hair
follicle, killing the follicle. This is called selective photothermolysis.

At any given time only a portion of the hair is actually growing and the
laser only kills this actively growing hair. Several weeks later, hair that was
dormant will start to grow, and a second treatment will be needed. This cycle of
treatment is repeated 5-8 times, until the hair is gone. Any hair that returns
after the treatments will be finer and lighter.

Laser hair removal works best for dark hair on light skin. Patients with
darker skin tones have to be treated with more caution since the pigment in
their skin is competing with the pigment in the hair follicle for the laser
energy.

Dr. Martin then demonstrates how the procedure is performed using his Palomar
Intense Pulsed Light machine. It is done in the office with minimal discomfort.