Laser Hair Removal - The Responses...

Warren Mays

Description

Title:

Laser Hair Removal - The Responses...

Creator:

Warren Mays

Date:

12/22/2015

Text:

Hello Again,

 

To summarize the responses listed below, it sounds like both laser and
electrolysis treatments have been very successful in preventing the return
of ingrown hairs. I also want to acknowledge the response related to the
importance of good socket fit. Of course, this has to be the first thing we
look at , as prosthetists, before recommending additional procedures to any
patient.

 

Thank you to all who responded!

 

Warren R Mays, CPO

 

 

Original question:

 

Hello All,

 

I have a transtibial patient who is both very hairy and sweats a lot. He is
having issues with ingrown hairs on his residual limb. Has anyone had any
patients who underwent laser hair removal on their residual limb(s)? Was it
successful?

 

Thanks,

 

 

Warren R Mays, CPO

 

 

The Replies:

 

- I have a female bilateral AK patient of mine who had laser hair removal
for the same reason. The treatments were quite successful and she has never
had issues since then. That being said, she was out of the prostheses
during the entire treatment time as the skin was fairly inflamed and unhappy
to say the least. She did use shrinkers, however. We opted to not even try
the liners until the treatments were completely over and the skin returned
to normal (3 months of treatment plus recovery).

 

- How does the socket fit? if it is just in one area it can be the body's
response to excessive localized pressure. I've seen it many times and when
you do a new socket the ingrown hairs disappear.

 

- Yes it was! And Botox works OK too. One of my patients had 165 injections
in one sitting and he did say he wanted laser this time LOL. Laser is
forever and Botox is temporary.

 

- Yes. I have a patient going through this right now. 1 treatment left to
go. He loves it!

Don't hesitate to suggest to all patients.

I have heard botox also helps with sweating, but no first hand experience
with that one.

 

- As an above knee amputee and a woman, I had laser hair removal of my
residual limb. I had this done 12 years ago and have never had any
problems. I did not wear my leg for about 24 hours after each treatment. I
always recommend this to amputees having issues with ingrown hair.

 

- I've had a couple of patients who had this done, very successful.

 

- Yes, it's been a sure thing so far. Only 4 patients but no issues for any
of them after electrolysis.

 

 


                          

Citation

Warren Mays, “Laser Hair Removal - The Responses...,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 25, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/237896.