Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

The underarm before the laser procedure. - photo by Yahneake Sterling

For many women, shaving the underarms and other body parts is not only a chore but a messy process.

Adding to the stress of removing the unwanted hair, razor bumps, little nicks, cuts, stubble and ingrown hair may occur. Additionally, the area may become darker than the natural skin tone.

Tweezing or waxing have become other options, but let's face it, the procedures are painful. Laser technology has become a measure most women have decided to use to rid themselves of unsightly hair permanently, without pain and hassle.

Flair visited Apex Skin and Laser Centre on Molynes Road, to experience laser removal of hair from the underarm.

Here is a first-hand account.

Personally, shaving my underarm is a real pain, so I was really looking forward to the procedure. Dermatologist, Dr. Patricia Yap, met me with a smile and escorted me to a small room.

"Are you nervous?" she asked. I replied in the negative.

"You have nothing to worry about. Soon you won't have to shave your underarms again," she said laughing.

Dr. Yap then proceeded to apply a topical anaesthetic.

"This is to numb the area," she explained. "It should be left on for at least 15 minutes, but the longer it is left on, the less discomfort the patient will feel."

Plastic wrap

After the cream was applied, a plastic wrap was then used to cover the underarm to increase the absorption of the anaesthetic. This was at 12:35 p.m. I sat patiently, passing the time by listening to music while thinking how great it would be to never have to shave my underarms again.

At 2:05 p.m., nurse Karlene Bryce escorted me to another room where she informed me that the area would have to be cooled with ice packs before the procedure could be done. (This is so the laser can tell the difference between the pigment and the hair root on dark-skinned people).

Five minutes later, it was time for the laser.

But not before nurse Bryce covered my eyes with protective gear. "I have to cover your eyes, because you can't look directly into the laser," she said.

A little disappointed that I would not be able to see during the procedure, I lay back and made myself comfortable. Nurse Bryce applied a cooling gel and I closed my eyes tight and waited for the pain, but there was none. Just a little tingly feeling and the smell of burning hair as she glided the laser machine along my underarm.

The very friendly nurse spoke to me during the procedure and explained each thing that she did.

"The key to the laser procedure is to keep cooling the area. As you zap, you cool the area that you have treated," she said.

Just a little over three minutes later the first underarm was completed, much to my surprise.

"You are a good patient," she said. "Some persons say it's painful, but I tested the machine on myself without anaesthesia so that I can judge how hot the burn is."

Seven minutes later, both my underarms had been laser-treated.

She then removed the protective gear from my eyes and applied anti-inflammatory cream to the underarm. ( This must be worn for a week after the procedure).

The entire procedure from the application of the anaesthesia to the application of the anti-inflammatory cream lasted for two hours and 35 minutes.

Dr. Yap Answers Questions:

1. What does the laser do?

The laser picks out the pigment in the hair follicle and kills it (a mini-explosion). The procedure is the most permanent method of hair removal.

2. How soon will you see results?

Within four to six weeks. This is due to the fact that the hair that was in the root has to grow out completely before you can see the difference.

3. How many procedures do you need?

Between two to eight. The reason for this is that hair grows in phases. So some hair may have been dormant at the time of the first procedure. Between five and 10 per cent of the hair may grow after the first time.

4. What are the advantages of laser treatment?

Permanent removal of the hair.

Hair can be removed from any area of the body where hair is undesirable.

No hair bumps.

No cuts and bruises like shaving with a razor.

More cost effective as over time razors and shaving creams become more expensive.

5. What are the disadvantages:

The area may become irritated.

Hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) or hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin) may occur. However, this is temporary and can be corrected.

New hair may grow lighter in colour and thinner.

Culture change may dictate that hair is necessary.

6. Who can get laser treatment?

Anyone from the age of 10 upwards.