Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana - Laser Hair Removal

Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana
13400 N. Meridian St.
Suite 290
Carmel, IN 46032
E-Mail: cwmhanke@sbcglobal.net
Tel: 317.660.4900

ABOUT THE DOCTOR (Medical Background of C. William Hanke, MD, FACP)

DR. C. WILLIAM HANKE

Dr. Hanke is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in the treatment of skin cancer, dermatologic surgery, laser and cosmetic surgery. He founded the Mohs Micrographic Surgery Unit at Indiana University School of Medicine in 1979. During the next 18 years, he treated more than 20,000 patients with skin cancer.

Dr. Hanke achieved distinction as Professor of Dermatology, Pathology, and Otolaryngology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He was the first physician in the United States to earn this triple academic rank. He is a frequent lecturer in the United States and Europe, and he has served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology. He has served as President of the Indiana Division of the American Cancer Society and six national surgical specialty organizations. He is listed in "Best Doctors in America" and in "America's Top Doctors," and he has received multiple national awards for his work.

Dr. Hanke is certified by five specialty boards (Dermatology (ABMS), Dermatopathology (ABMS), Laser Surgery (Independent), Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology (Independent), and Cosmetic Surgery (Independent). He has authored or co-authored more than 240 articles and books in the medical literature genre.

HAIR REDUCTION (for unwanted facial and body hair)

DESCRIPTION: Laser hair reduction is a safe, effective dermatologic procedure. The laser targets the pigment in the hair follicle without injuring surrounding tissue. The hair follicle is damaged by the laser's heat, resulting in an inability to grow.

Hair follicles grow in cycles. At any time, they are either in the "active" or "dormant" phase. The laser can treat any "active" follicle even if it hasn't reached the surface of the skin. At any given time, 10 percent or more of a person's hair follicles may be in the dormant phase. Therefore, several sessions are necessary for permanent hair reduction.

TREATMENT TIME & RESULTS: The length of the procedure is determined by the size of the treatment area. The most commonly treated areas are the upper lip, neck, chin, axilla (underarm), legs, sideburns, bikini line and back. A small area, such as the upper lip, can be treated in as little as two minutes. A larger area, such as the back, may require up to 60 minutes to treat.

The patient will wear protective goggles during the procedure. The laser operator uses a small handpiece to deliver treatment. The laser is equipped with a cooling device that sprays an anesthetic coolant (cryogen) on the skin just before the laser pulse is delivered.

The treatment site must contain pigmented hair, which serves as a target for the laser. Bleaching, plucking, or waxing must be avoided for several weeks prior to treatment. The best candidates for this treatment are individuals with light skin and dark hair. Tan skin is not easily treated; therefore the sun should be avoided for several weeks before treatment.

AFTER CARE: After treatment, a patient can expect the treated area to turn pink, and it may feel like a mild sunburn. This may last from a few hours to several days. Aloe vera gel, ice or antibiotic ointment may be used to alleviate any discomfort. The skin should be treated gently as if it were a sunburn. Bathing and make-up are allowed after treatment. It is recommended that sun exposure be avoided to reduce the chance of hyperpigmentation.

The hair follicles will shed their surface hair five to 14 days after treatment. This may look like hair growth, but the hairs can be washed away with a wet cloth. Because hair grows in cycles, follow-up sessions may be necessary. Sessions should be scheduled at four- to six-week intervals.

GENERAL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IS BOTOXÂ® SAFE?
Yes. It is one of the safest treatments that we perform. BOTOXÂ® was approved in the U.S. for treatment of eye muscle dysfunction 15 years ago. The FDA approved BOTOXÂ® for glabellar frown lines in 2002. BOTOXÂ® is approved in over 70 countries to treat a number of conditions. Over 7 million treatments have been performed in the U.S.

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT MY THIN LIPS?
There are temporary or permanent solutions. Collagen injections to the lips will add bulk, but will need to be repeated at least every six months. A more impressive permanent result can be achieved with our new e-PTFE implant.

WHAT IS THE BEST TREATMENT FOR LINES OR WRINKLES?
Many treatments are available, including laser resurfacing, chemical peels, BOTOXÂ®, collagen injections, fat transfer, and e-PTFE implants. The best way to determine the appropriate treatment is through an office consultation.

WHY IS MOHS MICROGRAPHIC SURGERY SUCH A GOOD TREATMENT FOR SKIN CANCER?
Basically because the cancer is removed microscopically with no unnecessary loss of normal tissue. In other words, the surgery is minimized. Cure rates are unprecedented; 95% for recurrent basal cell carcinoma, and 99% for primary basal cell carcinoma. The cancer is precisely removed, and scarring is minimized.

WHEN SHOULD TREATMENT BEGIN FOR VASCULAR BIRTHMARKS?
For best results, treatment should begin as early as possible. Babies younger than 18 months of age can usually be treated without anesthesia.

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR AGING AND SUN-DAMAGED SKIN?
Treatment options include chemical peels, laser resurfacing, laser blood vessel removal, and various topical medications such as glycolic acid and Retin A.

WILL A HAIR TRANSPLANT LOOK NATURAL?
Yes! The training and experience of the dermatological surgeon is essential for success. A natural-looking result can be achieved with proper planning followed by careful technique using appropriate numbers of follicular grafts and linear grafts.

Copyright Â© 2002-2006 C. William Hanke, M.D. and www.cwmhanke.com. All rights reserved.