Strawberry legs are a common skin condition found throughout the body, typically on legs. They’re caused by blocked pores and hair follicles that trap oil, bacteria and dead skin cells – when exposed to air these darkened spots take on the appearance of strawberries!
laser hair removal may provide the answer to eliminating strawberry legs. Read on for more information about this safe and effective solution.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser hair removal works by sending concentrated beams of light energy directly into the area where you wish to remove unwanted hair. Melanin pigment found within hair follicles absorbs this light energy, damaging or destroying it and eventually stopping hair growth altogether. No more ingrown or razor bumps!
At LH Spa & Rejuvenation, when using our CynoSure Elite+ laser hair removal system for laser hair removal, we use topical anesthetic to numb the area before beginning treatment with our CynoSure Elite+ system. While treatment may be mildly uncomfortable, its sensation is typically similar to having rubber bands snap against your skin or sunburn-like discomfort.
Once the session starts, you will be asked to sit or lie down while the laser machine is placed over the area that needs treatment. Treatment may last from several minutes up to an hour depending on its size; during which, you might see smoke coming off of hairs being pulled out or see puffs of vapor emerging from them during this process.
After treatment, your skin may feel temporarily red and tender for several hours post-procedure. Any discomfort can be soothed using cold compresses or ice packs; crusting of skin may occur in certain instances and should be prevented by properly moisturizing affected areas.
Hair removal is generally safe and non-painful for all skin types. If you’re concerned about discomfort, ask to try it on a small patch first before scheduling full treatments.
After your initial treatment, you should experience a significant reduction in unwanted hair. Two to eight weeks post-sessions, you may see an increase in growth; this is because hair follicles naturally cycle between growth and sheding cycles; thus laser treatment only affects those that are actively growing at that moment in time.
Permanent hair reduction typically requires three to eight treatments and may need annual touch-up sessions for optimal results. When your hair does reappear, it will usually be finer and lighter in tone than before.
Are There Any Precautions to Consider?
If you are considering laser hair removal to treat strawberry legs, it is essential to understand what this procedure entails. These dark spots or bumps on the skin appear after shaving, waxing or other methods for hair removal have been applied to them. Strawberry legs are caused by an openning of pores and hair follicles that allows dirt, bacteria and dead skin cells to accumulate in these enlarged spaces. As these dead cells oxidize over time, it creates the characteristic dark appearance associated with strawberry legs. These enlarged pores and hair follicles may be natural features of the skin, yet can be very unattractive. Laser hair removal may help lessen their visibility by eliminating ingrown hairs and minimizing new pigmentation that causes them.
Laser hair removal can be effective on virtually all skin types and colors, with its greatest benefit coming in removing dark pigmentation and helping prevent ingrown hairs on legs. Furthermore, this treatment may prove especially helpful to people with very dry skin who tend to develop keratosis pilaris, folliculitis and open comedones resembling strawberry legs.
Laser treatments work by stimulating your pigments with energy from light emitted by a laser machine and absorbing energy emitted by it, which then causes their follicles to self-destruct, thus stopping further hair production in that area. Furthermore, it may prevent future ingrown hairs by disrupting their cycle and sending it into dormancy thereby decreasing future risk.
Before undergoing laser treatment, it is wise to discuss your skin tone and texture with a dermatologist. They can offer expert advice as to the efficacy of treatment on your particular complexion as well as recommend skin bleaching creams if necessary – these will lighten your skin making laser therapy more effective. It is also wise to avoid darkening creams such as sunless skin products as these could also darken skin conditions; and avoid shaving, plucking or waxing prior to an appointment date.
How Often Do I Need Treatments?
Laser hair removal offers a semi-permanent solution to unwanted body hair. Patients typically undergo four- to six-week sessions until their hair stops growing, at which time the last session usually ends with no noticeable hair growth for several months or years; once hair does regrow it often has finer and lighter pigmentation than before.
Before undertaking any laser treatments, it’s essential that they be performed by a medical professional with appropriate licensing and certification to do so. Be wary of spas or salons that permit nonmedical personnel to provide these treatments; to minimize risks of side effects and maximize results it’s also a good idea to stay out of direct sunlight, follow doctor-recommended before and post-treatment instructions, as well as use broad spectrum SPF sunscreen.
Laser hair removal often leads to redness and swelling, which usually responds well to ice packs or other soothing remedies. Some individuals might also experience crusting of skin around the treatment area; these effects tend to be mild but should go away within several days.
Patients can lower the likelihood of side effects by choosing an experienced dermatologist to administer their laser hair removal treatments. An ideal provider should have board certification, as this ensures reliable treatment results across various skin types.
Dermatologists typically prepare the skin for laser hair removal by shaving or plucking to expose hair follicles. After that, a hand-held laser device will be used to quickly and painlessly zap away unwanted hairs from follicles using pulses similar to rubber band snapping or sunburn sting as the laser vaporizes them away.
Laser hair removal is an effective solution for men, women and transgender people looking to eliminate unwanted body hair. This FDA-approved cosmetic procedure can eliminate the need for tweezing, waxing and shaving while decreasing time spent doing these activities. The best way to determine whether laser hair removal is appropriate for you is to contact a board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Michele Green in NYC and schedule a consultation appointment.
Will I See Results?
Strawberry legs is a common skin condition characterized by dark dots or bumps on legs caused by clogged pores and hair follicles that become inflamed due to shaving, ingrown hairs or dead skin cells. Although strawberry legs do not pose any threat to health, their unsightliness can be embarrassing. Thankfully there are various treatments and preventive methods available, including laser hair removal that may alleviate symptoms or help avoid future outbreaks of this condition.
Laser hair removal differs from other hair removal methods in that it utilizes light energy to selectively destroy hair follicles without harming surrounding tissue, effectively and painlessly eliminating ingrown hairs and pigmentation. Multiple sessions of laser hair removal may help significantly lessen strawberry legs by preventing ingrown hairs and dark pigmentation from returning.
Another way to prevent strawberry legs is through regular exfoliation with chemical exfoliants that contain salicylic and glycolic acids, as these exfoliants can remove dead skin cells that build up in pores and help remove dead cells that accumulate on them. A dermatologist may also prescribe medicated creams and gels that will treat this condition and alleviate strawberry bumps.
Electrolysis is another option to help treat strawberry legs, using electrical and chemical heat to temporarily inhibit hair growth at its roots. Unfortunately, however, this treatment can be expensive and require multiple sessions in order to produce results; additionally, some hair may regrowth after having undergone this procedure.
Strawberry legs may not be harmful to one’s health, but they can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. By taking preventative steps such as switching razors more often, moisturizing skin regularly, and having regular laser hair removal treatments you can avoid unsightly strawberry legs altogether for the long-term benefit of smooth and even skin tones. To find out more about laser hair removal as a means of getting rid of strawberry legs contact a licensed professional now for a consultation!
