• Laser Hair Removal
• General Information
• Hair Removal Methods

Male Hair Removal

Male hair removal varies according to the areas to be treated: androgen dependant and non-dependant areas.

Androgens cause different effects on each area of the body:

Hair growth can be modified in androgen-dependant areas via the following factors:

· Modification of hormone 5-Alpha-Reductasa III or 5-Alpha-Reductasa I activity.

· Modification of the 5 Alpha-DHT hormone rates that, due to the decline in gonadal hormone production, is low in older men and high in younger males.

· Blockage of the papillary cell receptors to the androgens. This blockage can be performed by a variety of substances: spironolactone, a diuretic with receptor-blocking capabilities, flutamide that causes hair quality atrophy or non-steroid receptor blockers such as arylthiohydantoins.

Pharmaceuticals that contribute to hair growth in androgenous-dependant areas are danazol, testosterone or anabolic steroids. Other medications such as cyclosporine or minoxidil can stimulate hair growth all over the body.

For a correct therapeutic approach, one must keep in mind that changes in male hair behaviour are subjected to his hormone levels as well as his hair’s morphology, skin phototype (pigmented or tanned areas) and the treated body region:

Areas of difficult access are those with a deformable cartilaginous structure, such as nose and ears. IML recommends short-pulsed alexandrite lasers for these regions and the use of neodymium-yag lasers should be avoided. The large number of arterial terminations in the nose would run the risk of photocoagulation.

There are also difficult regions that require special precision and symmetry, such as the top and bottom edges of the beard, cheeks, eyebrows and between the eyebrows. Hair from the lower border of the brows should not be removed in order to avoid the risk of macular injury. In painful areas such as the chin and around the mouth, application in the first sessions is recommended under topical or truncal

anaesthesia in the infraorbital and mentonian nerves. Super Hair Removal should de used on the sides. It obtains good hair removal results and reduces the pain.

The back, thorax and abdomen are regions that are normally tanned and have dark, thick hair. Application of an anaesthetic cream is recommended during the first sessions. Long wave lengths should be employed. Use Soprano Super Hair Removal mode is the areas are very darkly tanned or in the case of dark skins. The long pulse length alexandrite laser is ideal for more advanced sessions.

For the final, remaining hair which is smaller and weaker, short pulse alexandrite is used.

In areas of creased skin, it should be stretched out to avoid needless repetition and for the impact to reach the maximum amount of skin surface possible. In the base of the neck, a position that will avoid creasing should be adopted. For the scrotal region, treatment is recommended with alexandrite lasers. The skin on knuckles, fingers, feet or elbows should be stretched when the laser is fired.

In medium androgenous-dependant areas, such as arms and legs, the hair is thick so the use of the Light Sheer Diode and Soprano are recommended.
As hair is weakened, the long pulse rate alexandrite laser is recommended. For the final sweeps of very sparse hair, the best alternative is to use short pulse rate alexandrite laser that does not require shaving and attacks fine hair with ease.

Areas with resistant hair, like the neck, chin and around the mouth can be treated with high energy and medium lens neodymium-yag laser, since this hair can be deeper in the skin.