Get Rid of Unwanted Hair with the Palomar Icon™ Laser

Most patients have unwanted hair somewhere on the body. For women, common areas of concern may be the upper lip, chin, armpits, bikini line, and legs. Many men find that they experience unwanted hair growth on the back and buttocks. Shaving and waxing are two options for unwanted hair, but both offer only temporary solutions, and many find that hair seems to grow back faster and thicker the more these grooming practices are repeated. Laser hair removal offers a long-term solution for unwanted hair. This non-surgical procedure can effectively eliminate unwanted hair and minimize new growth. Dr. David Passaretti is happy to offer hair removal with the Palomar Icon™ Laser at his Darien, CT, plastic surgery practice. This system offers superior results with minimal discomfort.

Candidates

The Palomar Icon™ Laser is used by Dr. Passaretti because of the many advantages it offers over other laser hair removal systems. One of the greatest advantages is that the Palomar Icon™ Laser is appropriate for use on nearly all of our patients. Virtually anyone who is looking to get rid of unwanted hair and inhibit the growth of new hair is an ideal candidate for laser hair removal. The Palomar Icon™ Laser has also been proven safe to use on all areas of the body, so whether a person wants to treat the delicate skin on the face or along the bikini line, or is looking to get rid of back hair or leg hair, this system can work effectively and safely. And while patients with sensitive skin or heavy pigmentation may have heard that laser hair removal can cause discoloration, that is not the case with the Palomar Icon™ Laser. This system can be adjusted according to melanin density, making it a viable option for patients of all skin tones.

What to Expect During Treatment

When patients come in for laser hair removal treatment with the Palomar Icon™ Laser, safety and comfort are of the utmost importance. Although discomfort should be minimal throughout the hair removal treatment, a topical anesthetic is often applied to the skin, as an added precaution. Once the anesthetic has taken effect, safety glasses will be placed on the patient (to protect the eyes from the laser), and treatment will begin.

The Palomar Icon™ Laser, which is a handheld device with a smooth glass surface, will be directed at the treatment area. The laser targets individual hair follicles and delivers heat that prevents them from growing new hair. After one area is treated, the laser will be picked up and placed over an adjacent area of the skin. This is described as a “stamping” technique, and differs from the rolling technique that is used with many other laser skin treatments. While heat is used to target individual follicles, the system also employs cooling technology that protects surrounding tissues and keeps the patient comfortable for the duration of treatment. Depending on the size of the treatment site, the hair removal procedure may take 15 to 30 minutes. When treatment is complete, a cold compress will be applied to the skin for several minutes.

Results

Although some initial results may be evident after a single laser hair removal session, patients should understand that it typically takes at least three treatments to achieve maximum results. After a series of three treatments, the average patient experiences a 79% reduction in hair growth. This drastically reduces the amount of time and money spent on shaving and waxing, and even improves the overall appearance of the skin.

Contact Us

If you are tired of repeatedly shaving and waxing to eliminate unwanted hair, you may be an ideal candidate for laser hair removal. To learn more about the Palomar Icon™ Laser, contact us at your earliest convenience and set up an appointment with Dr. David Passaretti. We look forward to hearing from you!