The PhotoDerm is a revolutionary device for the permanent removal of unwanted hair.
Electrolysis is performed with a needle inserted into the hair follicle. If placed exactly, which is hard to do correctly, electrical current is sent through the needle to destroy the hair follicle. If the needle is incorrectly placed, and the hair follicle is missed, only underlying skin is destroyed, causing pain and a raised bump, without destruction of the hair follicle. Removing hair through electrolysis is time-consuming, painful and inefficient. Electrolysis on an upper lip can take 10-12 painful sessions of 1/2 to 1 hour each, and still miss some hairs.The cost averages $150 an hour, so an upper lip could cost as much as $1500. and still not be complete. The PhotoDerm Method Once a test area has been done, and dosage for your skin type determined, the PhotoDerm can treat an entire upper lip in as little as 10 minutes. Usually only one treatment is needed, and the cost is only $300 (guaranteed through 10/1/97). The PhotoDerm works on hair by the absorption of light by the hair pigment in the hair follicle, causing enough heat to kill the hair follicle. Light skin has little to no pigment to absorb the light, so it is unaffected by the light, except perhaps for a mild sunburn like temporary reaction. This technique works best on dark hair in fair skinned persons. It is relatively ineffective on light colored hair, although there are techniques which can be used to which may be effective in some cases. A test spot can be performed on such patients to determine if the method will be effective. This technique does not work on black, dark, or deeply tanned skin, since the skin color will absorb the light before it gets to the hair follicle. The PhotoDerm emits a pulse through its treatment head, and feels like a rubber band snapping the skin. Most patients do not require anesthesia or sedation. An upper lip can be treated with an average of 12 pulses. The bikini line can be treated with about 25 to 30 pulses and costs just $600. The bikini line can be treated discreetly by Amy Huber, PA-C, with a female assistant. Each pulse treats an area of 1 1/6" x 5/16" or about 1/3 sq. inch. Cost per treatment is $100.00 providing 10 pulses. Additional pulses are $10.00 each up to 100 pulses given for the condition. After 100 pulses, additional pulses are $5.00 each until treatment is completed.
Heredity, increased levels of hormones and some medications can be the cause. There are other rare causes of abnormal hair growth. What are the old-fashioned methods of removal? Temporary methods include tweezing, plucking, waxing, shaving and depilatories. The previous permanent method, electrolysis, used an electric needle to burn out the unwanted hair follicle. This method is unreliable, often missing the hair follicle, requiring many hairs to be treated more than once. Electrolysis is somewhat painful, slow, and requires many treatments, resulting in considerable expense. What is the newest treatment? A revolutionary medical device called the PhotoDerm can erase unsightly hair with greater efficiency, speed, less pain, less cost and better results. How does the new PhotoDerm treatment work? This remarkable new treatment destroys the hair follicle with a high energy light source similar to a laser, but a generation beyond. It produces a high energy flash of light that passes harmlessly through normal light colored or untanned skin. This light is absorbed by the hair follicle and converted into heat, destroying the follicle. This is very effective for dark hairs, less so for lighter colored hair. How does the PhotoDerm differ from existing laser devices? The PhotoDerm produces pulses of multi-colored light which can be delivered through delicate skin tissues with much less risk of scarring or blistering. The treatment with the PhotoDerm is safer and more effective than any other treatment device used to remove hair. How is the Photoderm treatment performed? A cold gel is applied to the skin and a glass prism placed over the gel, through which is transmitted an intense flash of light (a pulse). Each pulse treats an area about the size of a stick of "Trident" chewing gum (1/3" x 1 3/8"). Usually a test patch is done on a small area to determine the ideal treatment settings for your skin type. The area is examined after several months to be sure that the hairs received sufficient energy to have been permanently destroyed. Then more extensive treatment can be done. How many treatments would it take to see results? Much of the hair is eliminated immediately. It usually takes a month or two to be sure that the hair does not regrow. Does the PhotoDerm treatment hurt? A pulse from the PhotoDerm feels like a rubber band snapping the skin. Anesthetic cream can be used prior to the treatment if you would prefer. Most patients require no medication for the treatment. Are there any side effects or possible complications from PhotoDerm treatment? The treated areas may have temporary redness, welts, bruising or an occasional blister. In some cases the treated area may heal with temporarily increased or decreased skin color. Scars are possible but occur only rarely. Can all patients be candidates for Photoderm treatment? Black hair on light colored skin does best. Light-colored hair does not respond well. Persons with dark or darkly tanned skin, or a history of keloid development or poor healing should not be treated with the PhotoDerm. Are there any restrictions after the treatment? Normal activities may be resumed after treatment Anything that irritates the treated area should be avoided for a few days. The treated area should also be protected from sunlight and tanning beds until the skin color has returned to normal. Will the hair ever come back after being treated? Some hair may come back or not respond at all. Removal of brown, white or tan hair is less successful than removal of black hair. Resting hairs are not affected by the treatment, and will grow when they come out of the resting phase. At any one time, about 10% of the hairs are in the resting phase. How much does the PhotoDerm treatment cost? A test patch is first performed, costing $50. This involves treatment of a small area to determine the best and safest settings for your skin and hair type. Treatment of the upper lip area is $300.00. Treatment of the bikini area is $600.00 Treatments in other areas are $10.00 per pulse, with $100.00 minimum per treatment session. three pulses treat an area of approximately one square inch). For patients requiring extensive hair removal beyond 100 pulses, the charge per pulse drops to $5. Full payment is due at the time of each treatment and can be made by cash, check, Visa or Mastercard. Will my insurance plan cover it? Hair removal is considered cosmetic by most insurance companies, and is not usually a covered condition. How do I get started? To determine if you are a candidate for the Photoderm treatment, you will first need to schedule an appointment. If you are determined to be a candidate, a test patch can usually be done during your initial consultation, unless it is held at one of our satellite locations. In this event, if you are a candidate, you will need to come to Council Bluffs for your test patch. |
