Looking for a longer lasting, relatively painless way to remove unwanted hair?

Dr. Ross Levy, Dermatologist at MKMG, may have your solution. The procedure is laser hair removal, and several hundred MKMG patients have already received treatment.

"Laser hair removal has proven a convenient solution for many of my patients," Dr. Levy said. "It’s particularly useful for patients whose skin becomes irritated or who get ingrown hairs after shaving or waxing."

The process is relatively quick and simple: doctors use a long pulsed laser to heat and disable hair follicles, resulting in delayed hair regrowth and the possibility of permanent removal.

The laser used at MKMG is the GentleLASEä , a new technology which is less costly than previous hair removal lasers. It emits pulses of light approximately 3 milliseconds long; the heat generated in the root and follicle is what removes the hair and helps prevent regrowth.

Laser hair removal is safe for both men and women, and can be used to remove hair on the face, bikini area, underarms, legs, arms -- just about anywhere! The feeling can be likened to tiny rubberbands hitting the skin. There are no special preparations or needles. And patients can return to their normal, daily activity immediately following treatment.

"There’s no downtime," Dr. Levy said. "Compared with electrolysis, laser hair removal is less painful, less invasive, less costly and much less time consuming."

Clinical studies with the laser have shown that after undergoing 2-4 treatments, 50-90% of facial hair do not return -- even after 180 days.

Treatments for facial and bikini areas can take as little as ten minutes; larger areas require more time. How many treatments are necessary to completely remove the hair depends solely on the individual.

"There’s no particular formula," Dr. Levy said. "But many patients find substantial results after three or four treatments."

To schedule an appointment or to learn more about laser hair removal, contact Dr. Levy at 242-1355.