Laser hair removal is an innovative, safe and cost-effective solution for reducing unwanted body hair permanently. It offers an alternative to shaving, waxing and other traditional methods.
While some hair may grow back, it will likely be thinner and lighter-colored than before the treatment began. Most people report seeing results last months or years.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is an effective solution for eliminating unwanted body hair. Pulses of light energy from a laser heat up and damage pigment in hair follicles, inhibiting their future growth. The process is quick and relatively painless and can be performed anywhere on the body where unwanted hair exists.
Before commencing laser hair removal sessions, it’s wise to meet with a board-certified dermatologist for assessment of your Fitzpatrick skin type and expectations as well as potential anesthetic applications to alleviate discomfort during sessions.
Once treatment begins, patients usually see an immediate reduction in hair over two to eight weeks post-treatment; however, this reduction may not be permanent as hair follicles may grow back over time and require occasional touch up treatments in order to maintain results.
Laser hair removal treatment uses short pulses of light energy delivered from a hand-held device held against the skin to expose individual hairs to short and intense laser pulses that target specific parts of their follicles and destroy or disable them, depending on which area is being treated. An entire session typically lasts less than one minute depending on its area. A laser’s spot size and fluence (energy density) determine how deeply its pulses penetrate dermal layers to destroy or disable hair follicles.
Laser wavelength plays an essential part in dissolving hair follicles. For maximum effectiveness, opt for long and short wavelength laser treatments that simultaneously target melanin (pigment) and water molecules in skin cells.
Before beginning any treatment, a specialist may suggest shaving or plucking hairs from the target area to ensure they are in the anagen phase, which allows permanent destruction of those in that stage of growth. Hairs that have entered catagen or telogen phases won’t be affected since they have already left their follicle.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Lasers emit wavelengths of light that attract to melanin pigment in hair follicles and cause irreparable damage, stopping new hair growth and epilation (disablement of follicles without damaging surrounding tissue). Although you may feel discomfort from laser treatments during treatments such as waxing and plucking, laser hair removal remains significantly safer than many traditional forms of hair removal such as waxing and plucking.
At a laser hair removal session, a technician gently moves a handheld device over the area being treated. Light from the laser’s light beam absorbs melanin pigmentation in hair follicles and heats them; in turn, this causes catagen phase follicles to shrink and disconnect from their dermal papilla source of nourishment; this phase lasts 1-3 days before transitioning into telogen phase for up to 1 year before returning back into anagen phase and producing hair again.
Over multiple treatments, most patients report seeing a decrease in re-grown hair that’s thinner, lighter and finer. It’s important to keep in mind that while some follicles cannot be permanently damaged by laser hair removal treatments, other may need additional sessions before stopping hair growth altogether. As such, for optimal results it’s recommended that only medical staff perform laser hair removal; nonmedical staff employed at salons or spas may lack sufficient expertise and training needed. If you have any doubts as to whether laser hair removal could work for you, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist immediately!
How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Last?
Laser hair removal should be permanent; therefore, each and every hair follicle must be destroyed during several treatments spaced out over four to six weeks in order to effectively rid yourself of unwanted hair in any given area of your body.
Laser hair removal is a popular cosmetic treatment among both men and women alike, and has proven both safe and effective. Before selecting a practitioner to administer your laser treatment, be sure to do your homework – ensure they’ve undergone rigorous training programs as well as being registered as meeting specific skillset standards in skill and experience.
Laser hair removal’s most frequently experienced side effect is redness and swelling after treatment, typically lasting only for several hours before gradually diminishing over time. People may also experience slight pain similar to when snapping rubber bands against skin during treatment.
To minimize discomfort after treatment, apply ice packs or cold compresses directly onto the treatment area after each session. It is also important to refrain from using products which might irritate it for 12 hours post treatment such as baths, hot showers or chlorine pools and waxing or plucking services between sessions.
People typically achieve permanent results after six to eight sessions spaced out every four to six weeks, spaced four weeks apart. Some regrowth will occur; however, when it does appear it typically grows back finer in texture and lighter in hue than it did initially; in fact some individuals may even go several years without experiencing any regrowth at all.
Can Hair Grow Back After Laser Hair Removal?
Laser treatments permanently damage hair follicles, leading to finer and lighter-colored hair growing back after several sessions have been completed. Maintenance treatments may also be required due to hormonal fluctuations or other external influences causing new hair growth.
Patients with light skin and hair colors, such as white or grey, may not benefit as much from laser treatments since their energy is absorbed by pigment in their follicle. Therefore, other methods, such as electrolysis, may be needed for permanent hair reduction.
Before seeking laser treatment, patients should refrain from tanning or waxing the area to protect their skin from potential damage. Furthermore, any medications taken for treating acne or genital herpes, or those that increase bleeding or bruising should also be disclosed; furthermore laser treatment cannot be conducted on anyone pregnant or breastfeeding.
Laser hair removal typically requires multiple treatment sessions as the laser destroys only those follicles in their active growth phase (Anagen). Only a fraction of follicles remain at this point, though more will begin growing after resting or shedding periods.
Laser treatment offers an effective alternative to shaving, depilatory creams and waxing for hair removal. While results may take several months to appear, those who commit will see permanent hair reduction over time. The best way to know how many treatment sessions you need is to visit a dermatologist offering laser therapy services for evaluation and assessment.
What Are the Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is generally safe and effective for the majority of people. Although minor side effects such as reddened skin similar to sunburn may appear temporarily, these symptoms should subside soon after treatment has concluded. Although laser hair removal can be more painful than shaving or waxing, numbing cream and cooling gels may make treatment less uncomfortable while protective goggles will protect eyes from being affected by laser beam.
Your doctor will likely suggest a series of treatments, ranging from two to six, depending on your hair thickness and skin color. Before each one, you will need to shave and apply an anesthetic cream or cooling gel, which will ease discomfort. You should also avoid tanning before or after each appointment.
Speed of laser light used to heat and destroy hair follicles may sometimes result in blisters on treated skin, though these tend not to be painful and typically heal similarly to burns. However, these blisters should only occur rarely in modern clinics that use modern laser equipment.
Electrolysis removes each individual unwanted hair at its source, while laser hair removal can permanently eliminate most unwanted hairs from their source. Any that do reappear will likely be finer and lighter, becoming less obvious over time. While additional treatments may be required before reaching baby-smooth skin, you won’t have to wax or shave as frequently and ingrown hairs should no longer be a cause for worry.
As well as hair-free benefits, laser treatments may also improve your skin health and boost its radiant sheen. If you suffer from acne, laser treatments could actually improve it since laser light kills bacteria which cause breakouts.
