Race can also be a factor - Caucasians are more prone to having excess facial
hair than are Asians and African Americans.

Some people experience unwanted or excess hair from the time they reach
puberty; others find it to be a condition that gets worse with age. Some women
experience additional hair growth during pregnancy or menopause. Women who
experience sudden hair growth should consult with their physicians, as this may
be a sign of other medical conditions.

Hair does not come in any one size or type. Follicles in different parts of the
body produce differing types of hair. Hair can grow in thick, bushy patches or in
long thin strands. In addition, hair is produced in follicles that can be found at
different depths and densities - as close to the skin's surface as a millimeter or
as deep as five millimeters or more. Until recently, this great variety in hair types
and body locations made long-lasting hair removal a significant challenge.

At Silhouette treatments are completed using Coherent's LIGHTSHEER DIODE
The LIGHTSHEER laser is FDA approved for permanent reduction of unwanted
hair. This technology can be used to treat unwanted hair on all skin types,
including dark-skinned individuals such as those of African, Hispanic or Asian
decent.

LIGHTSHEER systems treat the hair by directing precise laser energy into the
base of the follicle. A thin layer of cool, transparent gel may be applied to the
treatment area to better focus the energy. The energy heats the hair and
damages the hair follicle, causing the hair to fall out and to not grow back for
some length of time, sometimes forever!

Unlike other hair removal tools, the LIGHTSHEER system incorporates the
ChillTip™ technology, which continuously cools the skin. This proprietary feature
helps to:

• maximize the effectiveness of the treatment
• decrease skin damage
• minimize any discomfort
• allow for treatment of all skin types

The length of an individual treatment may last anywhere from a few minutes to an
hour or more, depending on the size of the area being treated. The number of
treatments required depends on several factors related to specific kinds of hair
and skin. It is important to understand that hairs in an active growth phase
(anagen) are most affected by treatments. Since all hairs are not in this phase at
the same time, several treatments are necessary to achieve the best results.

During your consultation we will design customized treatment programs, and
give patients an estimate of how many sessions may be needed in order to meet
expectations.

The treatment may cause some discomfort - patients often describe it as a pinch
or the sting of a snapped rubber band. Most patients tolerate the procedure well;
topical anesthesia such as EMLA may be an option when treating larger more
sensitive areas like bikini, underarms or men's backs.

The appearance of the treated area immediately following a session will vary from
patient to patient, though side effects are rare. Any swelling or redness at the
treatment site typically goes away within 24 hours, and most people are able to
return to normal activity immediately.