Laser hair removal offers a permanent solution to unwanted hair that’s tough to eradicate using traditional methods, like shaving or depilatories like Nair.
People with dark, thick hair often benefit most from laser treatment; however, it can also benefit those with lighter locks.
How Does It Work?
Rather than repeatedly shaving, using depilatories like Nair, waxing (with hot wax poured directly on hair before pulling it off as seen in The 40 Year Old Virgin movie), or plucking unwanted hairs yourself, laser treatments could provide the solution for you. Laser hair removal uses high intensity light beams to target unwanted follicles while protecting surrounding tissues without harming either.
Before your treatment can commence, your specialist will apply an anesthetic cream to the area of your body where unwanted hair needs to be permanently eliminated. This step helps ensure a more pleasant experience throughout the procedure.
Once your skin has been prepared, the clinician will use a laser device to carefully pass over the targeted area. Once activated, this laser will target melanin present in unwanted hair follicles and disable them effectively. Furthermore, its settings can be tailored specifically to address specific goals and needs for maximum efficacy.
After your treatment, it is normal to experience redness and swelling; to help alleviate inflammation post-procedure, apply an ice pack to the face or body for two to three days following. This will help decrease inflammation.
In general, it typically takes eight full treatment sessions spaced four to six weeks apart in order to achieve optimal results. However, this varies depending on factors like hair thickness, color, and growth cycle.
Does It Work on All Skin Types?
Laser treatment differs significantly from electrolysis in that it targets multiple hair follicles simultaneously and is less painful. Dr. Kormeili will assess if laser is an ideal treatment option during your comprehensive consultation; otherwise she’ll suggest different remedies that could help control excessive hair growth due to hormonal conditions like PCOS.
Dark and coarse hair usually responds well to laser treatments because melanin in your follicles absorbs light energy from the laser, enabling it to heat and destroy unwanted hair without harming skin cells. Fine or light colored hair might take more sessions as its light energy does not penetrate deep enough into skin or hair follicles to be targeted effectively by laser energy.
Laser treatment results can be permanent, giving you peace of mind from shaving or waxing altogether in the future. This is especially helpful if you have sensitive skin as these methods may leave it feeling irritated.
Before scheduling laser treatment, it is a good idea to shave any areas where hair grows so as to clear away stubble that could interfere with its effectiveness. Also, avoid tanning in the weeks prior to your appointment as sunburns can reduce its effectiveness and therefore compromise its efficacy.
Laser Away of Marina Del Rey is one of the premier providers for laser hair removal services in the nation, using Cynosure, an efficient device which combines two laser systems with cooling air to minimize discomfort during treatment sessions. Furthermore, they offer photofacials (IPL), microdermabrasion and chemical peels services in addition to laser hair removal.
How Long Does It Take?
Laser hair removal treatments vary depending on your skin type, hair thickness and growth cycle; eight full sessions four to six weeks apart could be needed to see results. Shaving prior to each session ensures an area can be targeted efficiently without stubble being in the way; tanning can damage your skin and interfere with treatment results.
Laser hair removal can be quick and painless. Your technician will use a handpiece resembling a wand with a laser diode at its tip to heat and destroy hair at its roots, while providing cool air pulses as needed to minimize discomfort. This procedure can be applied across various body areas including underarms, legs, bikini line, chest and back; additionally it may reduce facial hair by treating eyebrows, chin or upper lips.
Are you ready to put shaving and waxing behind you? Give laser hair removal a try; it’s the next generation of methods for eliminating unwanted hair that’s faster, more effective, and permanent than any other hair removal techniques available today.
What Are the Side Effects?
Laser hair removal can be an extremely safe and effective treatment to get rid of unwanted body hair, with only minor side effects such as irritation, changes to skin color or crusting occurring, typically only in sensitive areas that can easily be treated using an ice pack.
Some may find laser treatment uncomfortable, particularly when applied to legs and underarms. To reduce discomfort during a session, numbing cream or gel should be used prior to starting treatment. You may experience tender skin temporarily after treatment, however this should subside within an hour; you might even feel an occasional slight tingle sensation from treated areas that will subside in a few hours time.
After undergoing laser hair removal treatments, it’s crucial to protect the treated area with sunblock in order to reduce sun sensitivity. Shaving or depilatories should also be avoided prior to laser sessions as shaving creates stubble that interferes with treatment effectiveness.
People with darker skin may notice that certain parts of their body become slightly lighter after laser hair removal due to light from lasers reaching deeper into their skin, altering its pigment. Though minor, such changes should not cause concern; should any drastic shifts occur or serious adverse side effects occur it would be prudent to consult your dermatologist immediately.
Laser hair removal does not cause cancer; however, many may worry about its effect on their bodies in terms of exposure to radiation from lasers used during treatment. The good news is that because lasers only target hair follicles they do not emit significant levels of radiation.
How Often Do I Need to Schedule Treatments?
Laser treatment stands out from traditional hair removal options such as shaving, depilatories (such as Nair), waxing (using hot wax to scrape away unwanted hair, as seen in The 40 Year Old Virgin movie), plucking or tweezing by targeting multiple follicles simultaneously and eliminating them at once, often significantly decreasing or eliminating unwanted hair growth over a long period of time if not completely.
The number of sessions required will depend on individual factors such as hair density and activity levels of follicles; however, most patients can achieve permanent hair reduction after only a short series of treatments with Dr. Michele Green in NYC who understands how to safely and effectively treat all skin types.
Some individuals require ongoing maintenance treatments every six weeks to keep up with their hair growth cycle, which has an ebb and flow. When hair is in its growth stage it is more susceptible to laser treatment, while as it sheds it becomes resistant and requires longer intervals between treatments.
Avoid tanning between sessions as prolonged sun exposure can damage skin cells and lead to discoloration or burning in treated areas. Shaving is also beneficial as this will soften and open up skin for improved results, while it is safer and more effective to receive laser treatments at an accredited medical facility or from an experienced cosmetic dermatologist rather than receiving them at a medSpa that may lack the training to avoid complications.
