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9400 Frontage Road (Hwy 17 Bypass)

Murrell Inlet, SC 29576

(843) 215-1100

933 Medical Circle

Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

(843) 215-1100

843-215-1211

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Laser Hair Reduction

  • Created in Pamphlets

Unwanted hair is a concern for many people. If unwanted hair bothers you, you may want to discuss this with your

dermatologist. Many dermatologists offer treatment for unwanted hair. One treatment option is laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal reduces the amount of unwanted hair. A laser sends beams of light through the skin. The heat from the laser light is absorbed, or soaked up, by the color in the hair. This heat destroys the hair follicle – the area through which hair grows. This makes it difficult for that hair to grow. Since hair grows in cycles, repeated treatments are necessary to destroy all the hair follicles.

After each treatment, you can expect a 10% to 25% decrease in hair growth. With repeat treatments, it is possible to destroy about 80% of the hairs. Any new hairs tend to grow in lighter and finer.

Laser hair removal can be used on most parts of the body, including:

  • Face
  • Bikini area
  • Armpits
  • Back
  • Chest
  • Neck
  • Shoulders
  • Arms
  • Legs

The amount of hair removed during each treatment varies. Areas that have thinner skin such as the armpits and bikini area may require fewer treatments than thicker-skinned areas. The back and chin are areas that have thicker skin.

Several treatments are necessary to reduce the amount of hair. Treatment can be repeated every four to eight weeks.

LASER HAIR REMOVAL

WHY SEE A DERMATOLOGIST FOR LASER HAIR REMOVAL?

If you are considering laser hair removal, you should consult a dermatologist. Laser hair removal is not right for everyone.

During the consultation, the dermatologist will examine your skin and unwanted hair. The dermatologist will ask questions and review your medical history. Be sure to tell the dermatologist about any medications you are currently taking and if you have:

  • A tendency to scar
  • Ever had a keloid (type of raised scar)
  • Had cold sores or genital herpes
  • Taken isotretinoin (a medicine used to treat severe acne)

Some medical conditions such as hormone imbalances and certain medications can affect laser hair removal.

Only after this exam can a dermatologist tell whether laser hair removal is right for you. Improvements in lasers make it safe for people with dark skin, including African Americans, Asians, Hispanics and those of mixed race to have laser hair removal. Gray or white hair cannot be treated effectively. Light hair also is difficult to treat. Many more treatments are required for light hair. The desired result may not be achieved.

LASER HAIR REMOVAL

HOW CAN I PREPARE MY SKIN FOR LASER HAIR REMOVAL?

If laser hair removal is an option, you will be given instructions to follow for a few weeks before treatment begins. For laser treatment to be effective, you should:

  • Apply sunscreen daily before going outdoors, using sunscreen that offers UVA/UVB protection and SPF30 or

higher.

  • Not get a
  • Stop using sunless
  • Stop removing unwanted hair in the area to be treated for as long as instructed. This includes plucking, waxing, threading or having electrolysis done on the area to be
  • Take any medicine your dermatologist Some patients need to take an anti-viral medicine or antibiotic

before the treatment.

Be sure to follow all instructions. This will help give you the best possible results. It also helps prevent possible side effects. If a dermatologist suspects that side effects may occur because a patient failed to follow pre-treatment instructions, treatment may be delayed.

LASER HAIR REMOVAL

WHAT CAN I EXPECT ON TREATMENT DAY?

The amount of time treatment takes depends on the size of the area to be treated. The upper lip takes several minutes. Treating a large area such as the back can require more than one hour.

Prior to treatment, the area to be treated will be cleansed. A gel may be applied to protect your skin. Many patients say that the laser pulses feel like warm pinpricks or a rubber band being snapped against the skin. You also may feel a cool spray. This is used to protect the skin from the heat created by the laser.

Before leaving the office, you will be given post-treatment instruction. It is very important to follow all of the instructions. The instructions will include:

  • Protect your skin from the sun for several
  • Stay out of tanning beds and do not use other tanning

Following your dermatologist’s instructions greatly reduces your risk of developing side effects.

After leaving the office, you can return to everyday activities that do not require physical exertion. Wait 24 hours before returning to a physically demanding job, working out, or doing other physical activity.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS TO LASER HAIR REMOVAL?

Under a dermatologist’s care, the risk of side effects is small. Everyone has some swelling and redness on the treated skin. This is a normal reaction that goes away in one to two days. To reduce the redness and swelling, your dermatologist may recommend an ice pack, a mild steroid cream or an antihistamine.

A possible side effect of laser hair removal is blistering. If this occurs, an antibiotic cream can be applied to the skin until

it heals.

Some people see the treated skin temporarily lighten or darken. The laser also may permanently lighten or darken a tattoo, remove freckles, or lighten a mole that is present on the skin in the treated area.

In skilled hands, serious side effects are rare. When this procedure is not performed or supervised by a dermatologist, serious side effects that can occur include burns, scarring and a permanent change in skin color.

Many people see long-lasting results. Some people have permanent hair reduction. To keep unwanted hair under

control, most people need maintenance treatments

A board-certified dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the medical, surgical and cosmetic conditions of the skin, hair and nails. To find a board-certified dermatologist in your area visit aad.org or call toll free (888) 462-DERM (3376).

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology.
Copyright © by the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Images used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides

American Academy of Dermatology

P.O. Box 1968, Des Plaines, Illinois 60017
AAD Public Information Center: 888.462.DERM (3376) AAD Member Resource Center: 866.503.SKIN (7546) Outside the United States: 847.240.1280

Web: aad.org

Email: [email protected]

Skin Cancer Removal Procedures

Skin Cancer patients can expect a surgical plan to remove their skin cancer based on the location , size, and type of tumor. Most treatments to remove cancerous lesions can be conducted under local anesthesia.

 

The Skin Cancer is removed with a Surgical tool called a curette with a hoop or scoop on the end for scraping. An electric current is then applied to the area through a needle-like electrode designed to kill the remaining cancer cells and reduce bleeding.

After care instructions: The ED&C site must be kept clean if it is to heal rapidly. It is a small open wound which may or may not leave a scar. To clean the site, follow these instructions

First Wash Your Hands With Soap and Water

1. Remove Initial dressing in 24 hours.

2. Wash the area with soap and water twice a day. Apply a thin film of Aquaphor or Vaseline and cover with a fresh bandage until healing has occurred. This may take up to 2/4 week, depending on size of the wound and location.

3. Do not use Neosporin or other over the counter topical antibiotics as allergies to these medications are quite common and they can slow down healing.

4. Keep wound moist with Vaseline and band-aid, as stated in number 2. A scab or leaving it open to the environment will slow down healing.

It is normal for the site to become puffy, reddened, or irritated. However, if the site is warm to the touch, oozing, or severely reddened or very sore, you need to contact the office at (843)215-1100.

 

The skin cancer growth is removed with surgical excision by cutting or shaving it out of the skin with a scalpel. Local anesthesia is used to numb the affected area. Depending on the type of tumor, our surgeons my remove a certain amount of surrounding tissue. 

After Care Instructions: First Wash Your Hands With Soap and Water

1. You may apply an ice pack following surgery. Apply the ice pack on for 20 minutes, and then remove for 20 minutes, and repeat the process as needed. 

2. Remember, applying direct pressure to the surgery site stops bleeding.

3. You may take Tylenol for Pain if needed.

4. Leave the wound dressing on for 24 hours

5. While showering, remove your current dressing and clean your wound, and the remove for gently with warm water and soap to remove any dried blood and prevent scab formation.

6. Apply Vaseline ointment at least one time daily, and cover the entire wound with a band-aide or gauze dressing.

7. On your scheduled day of suture removal, cleanse the wound, and leave the area DRY(do not apply any ointment) and return to our office at your scheduled time to have the sutures removed

8. If your wound is in the beard area on your face or other area where you normally shave, please avoid shaving near the wound.

9. If the surgical site starts to bleed excessively and doesn't stop with applied pressure for 15 minutes, the dressing become saturated with blood. If there is excessive swelling or the site become inflamed and warm to the touch. Call the office at 843-215-1100

 

The surgeon removes the visible skin cancer and come surrounding tissue via and incision. The removed tissue is frozen, dyed, and evaluated under a microscope by a pathologist to see if the cancer has been removed entirely. If cancerous cells are still present, the process of excision and evaluation is repeated until the cancer is no longer detected. The diagnosis of the removed tissue is made in real-time, so the patient can be confirmed cancer-free the same day. The process can take several hours to fulling remove the cancer.

After Care Instructions: First Wash Your Hands With Soap and Water

1. You may apply an ice pack following surgery. Apply the ice pack on for 20 minutes, and then remove for 20 minutes, and repeat the process as needed. 

2. Remember, applying direct pressure to the surgery site stops bleeding.

3. You may take Tylenol for Pain if needed.

4. Leave the wound dressing on for 24 hours

5. While showering, remove your current dressing and clean your wound, and the remove for gently with warm water and soap to remove any dried blood and prevent scab formation.

6. Apply Vaseline ointment at least one time daily, and cover the entire wound with a band-aide or gauze dressing.

7. On your scheduled day of suture removal, cleanse the wound, and leave the area DRY(do not apply any ointment) and return to our office at your scheduled time to have the sutures removed

8. If your wound is in the beard area on your face or other area where you normally shave, please avoid shaving near the wound.

9. If the surgical site starts to bleed excessively and doesn't stop with applied pressure for 15 minutes, the dressing become saturated with blood. If there is excessive swelling or the site become inflamed and warm to the touch. Call the office at 843-215-1100

 

Typically used to treat minor skin cancers and pre-cancerous lesions, cryosurgery involves the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the cancer cells. The procedure, also known as cryotherapy is repeated until the affected area no longer shows signs of pre-cancer or cancer.

After Care Instructions: 

1. You do note need to cover the area treated, unless instructed to do so.

2. The discomfort is temporary but may last for 10-30 minutes after treatment.

3. the area may appear red for up to one hour after freezing but often returns to normal color within 10-15 minutes.

4. A blister may form within 24 hours of treatment. this may be clear fluid filled or blood filled, if it is uncomfortable, you may drain it by using a clean needle cleansed with alcohol. If this is done, cover with a Band-Aid and Vaseline ointment for approximately one week. This bandage should be changed daily. 

5. Sometimes a scab will will form over the area treated. This will come off on its own and does not need to be covered.

6. If you have any questions or concerns after reading the above information, please do not hesitate to call our office at 843-215-1100


Side Effects of Skin Cancer Removal 

With any kind of skin cancer removal, scarring is likely to occur. Incision sites may be sore, red, or drain small amounts of fluid. Healing will continue for weeks and even months after your surgery, incision lines will fade and continue to improve. Sun exposure on wounds and scar lines can result in irregular pigmentation or cause the sight to become red, raised, or dark, so patients should follow post-op preventative instructions carefully. 

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Monday:

8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Tuesday:

8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Wednesday:

8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Thursday:

8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Friday:

8:00 AM-12:00 PM

Saturday:

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