Laser Hair Removal Questions and Answers

Question:

I have about a dozen scars on my shins due to chemical burns (from Nair Hair removal cream) and electrical burns due to bad electrolysis. All of the scars are small (about pea sized) and shallow rather than raised, and are very discolored--brownish purple while I am very fair skinned. I've tried silicone sheets to reduce the scarring, but it hasn't worked at all. I REALLY want to get rid of the discoloration, and would love to get rid of the shallowness, also, but it's the discoloration that bothers me more. What type of surgery (dermabrasion?) could help with with these scars, and what's a rough estimate of the cost? I hope you can help me. I can't go another summer in pants every day, but I can't bear to wear shorts with all of these ugly scars. Thanks for any help you can give me. Carla

Answer:

Dear Carla, The pigmentation can be readily removed with lasers although that will do little for the textural skin changes. You may wish to have the larger ones surgically removed to leave a fine scar that is level. The former should not cost too much - I charge $20 per spot per treatment with about 3 or 4 treatments required to lighten the pigmentation. The surgery costs about $200 per scar.

Question:

What would you recommend Laser eye surgrey, RK or PRK to correct myopia. And which is more cost effective(cheap). Thanx

Answer:

Dear Russ, PRK is generally considered an outdated procedure, and seldom performed except when certain medical conditions warrant it. LASIK is quicker healing, less painful, more predictable, and does not require the use of strong steroids, making it the procedure of choice. I urge you to make your choice of surgeon based on experience and reputation, rather than cost! There were a lot of discount LASIK centers in our state, and B.C. until last year. Most of them suddenly went out of business amid a flurry of lawsuits and bankruptcies. In many cases people who paid in advance got no surgery, but lost their money. Worse, many others, including a significant number who had complications, were left without the follow-up care and enhancements they were promised. They had to scramble to find other doctors willing to care for them...and pay hefty fees for the service! There are only a few discounters left, and I expect they are likely to go the way of their predecessors. The problem is, when you cut prices so drastically, you have to cut corners. These are your eyes. LASIK is NOT like a haircut; if it is done badly, it won't grow back! You get only one chance to do it right; a low price is no bargain if you have to live with a bad result. In Washington State the average price of LASIK is currently around $1400 per eye (and rising), the price at most reputable clinics falls within about $200 of that mark. A clinic that charges a great deal less than this may be compromising on the quality of care, equipment, and staff-putting you at greater risk than necessary. Better to save up a little longer, or use financing options, and choose a well established clinic has a reputation for excellence. For more detailed LASIK information, you may wish to view our website.

Question:

hi sir! i am concerned about the dense black and kind of hard hairs on my arms and legs,is there any surgery 4 the complete removal of hairs?and how much will it cost, i am 17.6 yrs/m/nc.waiting for reply. khurram

Answer:

Dear Khurram, There is good news for your. Laser hair removal is able to reduce the number of hairs in the areas that you mention rather readily and with very few side-effects. Large areas can be treated and, although most people find that 3 or 4 treatments are necessary, the hair is permanently removed. I would suggest that you visit with a laser specialist in your area to discuss the procedure further.

Question:

help!! I've had chin hair since I was little, but now it's becoming worse and worse. I heard of laser surgery to get rid of this problem, but it seems different doctors are saying different things. Please help since I would really like to get rid of this problem

Answer:

Dear Jennifer, I was on the FDA approval panel for hair removal lasers in the US and can tell you that the news is good. Third generation lasers are able to effectively and permanently remove hair and reduce its growth. Now, skin color is not even a major problem but the hair still needs to be dark - we have not lasers for removing white or blonde hair. I would suggest that you visit with a laser specialist in your area and preferably one with a long-pulsed YAG laser for hair removal. You should be very pleased with the results.

Question:

I am a 21 year old African American women who as of late has had abnormal growth of facial hair. At first I thought that I might have polycystic ovaries or it could be attributed to the 85 lbs I have gained these past four years at college. Others say that the hair is so thin that they can't see it. Nonetheless, I am very self-conscious about it. Is laser hair removal a safe alternative for me? I am not 'fair-skinned' and in my research I've found that the surgery is recommended for people with very dark hair, which I have, and light complexions. I have also heard that hormone replacements might do the trick. I believe that I have solicited this hair growth by removing hair when there was very little growth ( i.e. waxing, shaving, etc). Much to my dismay the hairs have grown back thicker. Which lasers would be best used on me? What is the scar risk? Alternatives? How much would the surger cost?

Answer:

Dear BH, You are looking into this at a very opportune time since third generation hair removal lasers have just become FDA approved in the US. These lasers will remove the unwanted hair with very little risk (when used by the right laser surgeon) and give very good results after 3 to 5 treatments of an area. I would not suggest hormone replacements since they have far more universal effects on your body. Weight loss always helps since hormones are altered by fat in the peripheral tissue. The best lasers to use are long-pulsed YAG lasers of which there are several, the most effective, likely, being the LYRA laser by Laserscope. I would suggest that you find a laser surgeon in your area with this laser. Treatment costs vary across the country. My office charges $50 per square inch of facial skin treated per treatment. Scarring almost never occurs.

Question:

I am a 40 year old man. Ten years ago, I had some hair transplants done, but they have turned out ugly: I have a very unnatural hair line, and not enough donor sites to fix the problem. I would like to find out if laser or some other surgery can help get me a "polished" bald look? Can this be done on an outpatient basis? And how should I find the doctors in my area (Central New Jersey) who may perform such a procedure? Thank you in advance!

Answer:

It is possible to reverse the unwanted hair transplants but there will be some residual scarring as a result. To discuss your options with a qualified reconstructive surgeon call the American Society of Plastic Surgeons at 1-800-635-0635.

Question:

i am trying to find a doctor in us or canada that does laser resurfacing, hair removal, laser stretchmarks and vein removal, even body resurfacing besides face. I cant seem to find one that does all of these? Do u know any? Or know how i can find one?

Answer:

I do not personally know a plastic surgeon who performs all of the procedures that you requested. You may get help from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons by calling 800-635-0635.

Question:

Hi, On Dec. 29, 1997 I was attacked by a Lab/Chow mixed dog. The animal bit a large whole on the left side of my face, under my cheek. I recieved plastic surgery which involved 30 stitches on the surface and 10 dissolving stitches on the inside of my face. I was left with a scar. It could of been a lot worse than what it is, but I am very insecure about it. I try to do everything in my power so people do not see the scar. I always wear my hair down, I try to cover it with my hand, etc... My question is I would like to know if there is anything (laser or plastic surgery)that can be done to improve the appearance of the scar? My doctor told me that he could cut open the scar again and I would have to go through the same healing process as I did before, but I don't think I could go through it again. Please HELP ME. Thankyou

Answer:

Sorry to hear about your accident. Without seeing you, I can't give you specific advice about how your scar can be improved. Scar revision usually involves rearranging the skin to make the scar lines fall in less noticeable planes, or recutting portions of the scar so that the texture of the scar is better. Laser is not usually useful for this. Nothing will make a scar disappear; we can only try to make it less obvious. While it is true that if the scar is revised, you will go through a wound healing process again, that process should be less of an ordeal with revision. In dog bites these is a lot of crushing and tearing of tissue which is much more traumatic than scalpel incisions. You migh consider consulting a couple of plastic surgeons about what might be done for you specifically. Another thing to remember is that people are not as concerned about your appearance as you are, especially if you do not call attention to it. Good luck Carmen Paradis M.D.

Question:

would like to know how much one session for permanent laser hair removal would cost?

Answer:

Permanent laser hair removal is probably a misnomer, since no one can achieve this with a single treatment and there are reports that even multiple procedures don't permanently remove all of the hair from the treated areas. Therefore, I do not perform this procedure and I do not know what fees are usual and customary for a single treatment.

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