Unwanted hair growth can be both time consuming and tedious to manage, often leading to painful procedures like shaving, tweezing and waxing that do not produce lasting results. Laser hair removal offers permanent reduction of unwanted hair.
Lasers have been FDA-approved as safe and effective tools for hair reduction, yet not all lasers offer equal results.
An experienced provider should offer multiple laser options and be able to recommend the appropriate one based on your hair color and skin tone.
Location
Laser hair removal costs can depend heavily on where treatment takes place. Practices and med spas in high-rent neighborhoods tend to charge more, as they have to cover costs associated with their location. There may be exceptions; for instance, some states only permit licensed medical professionals such as doctors, nurses and PAs to perform laser treatments, whereas other places have looser regulations and permit aestheticians perform similar procedures at lower costs than physicians.
When choosing a laser hair removal provider, keep your skin type and desired treatment in mind when making your selection. Also be sure to inquire about financing options as well as potential discounts if multiple treatments are desired – most providers are happy to discuss these with you.
Laser hair removal treatments are safe for all skin types and colors, including darker complexions. However, more sessions may be necessary in order to achieve effective results.
At each laser hair removal session, your specialist will place a handheld device against the skin and pulse its light beam into the area – something similar to rubber band snapping against skin surface. If discomfort becomes an issue for you, topical anesthetic may be applied prior to treatment as well as providing you with an ice pack to reduce any post-treatment redness or irritation.
Before and after treatment, it’s essential that you refrain from waxing or tweezing the area being treated, as these methods can leave unsightly marks. In addition, it’s wise to shave with a new razor at least 24 hours prior to an appointment and avoid direct sunlight which could potentially discolor your skin surface and lead to discolorations of treatment area.
Treatment typically lasts 30-60 minutes depending on the size and scope of the area being addressed. You will be provided with tinted goggles during this process to protect your eyes from laser light exposure; although relatively painless, long-term results should emerge shortly afterwards and allow you to return to regular activities immediately post treatment.
Experience
Unwanted hair can be an embarrassing embarrassment. From facial to body hair, unwanted growth is often embarrassing, making you self-conscious, limiting the types of clothes you can wear, and being expensive and time-consuming to deal with. Traditional solutions like waxing or shaving may cost money and time-consuming options like other hair reduction methods; but laser hair removal offers an effective and less-expensive alternative that lets you finally enjoy smooth, hairless skin!
At your appointment, an experienced laser operator will use eye goggles while sending out pulses of light that penetrates through your skin to reach hair follicles where hair growth occurs. Melanin in these follicles absorbs the laser heat, damaging them and stopping further production of hair strands – you may feel stinging sensations or warm pinpricks during this procedure.
An experienced provider will have several FDA-clear laser options at their disposal, which allows them to find the ideal one for you based on skin tone, type and treatment area. They’re familiar with newer technology that can cover larger areas quickly while simultaneously decreasing pain levels.
Before your treatment begins, you must refrain from plucking, waxing or using dissolving creams in the area being treated for four to six weeks prior. However, you can continue shaving using only new razor blades in order to expose hair properly. In addition, daily protection of the skin must include broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is vitally important.
Before your laser treatment begins, your practitioner will thoroughly clean the targeted area and may apply a topical anesthetic if you’re particularly sensitive. After applying an anesthetic cream or patch anesthetics if necessary, the procedure itself should be quick and relatively painless – many patients compare it to snapping a rubber band!
Men are increasingly turning to laser hair removal treatments as an option to rid themselves of excess or undesirable hair and improve their appearance. And unlike many other male cosmetic procedures, laser hair removal works for all types of men: from those looking to reduce facial or sideburn hair growth as well as back, shoulders and leg hair growth.
Equipment
Unwanted hair can be embarrassing for both women and men. Traditional methods for eliminating unwanted hair such as shaving, waxing and tweezing can be painful, ineffective and time consuming; laser hair removal offers an alternative that has minimal discomfort and side effects; additionally it may save money in comparison with regular waxing and over-the-counter topical products; it is important that an experienced provider handles the treatment as it’s a medical procedure and results depend heavily on operator skill.
Before selecting a laser hair removal device, it is essential to gain an understanding of their operation. Laser treatments use beams of light to target individual follicles which are then destroyed through heat; melanin pigment in hair absorbs this light and heats up under its influence, effectively disabling them and stopping further hair production. Furthermore, certain machines can target multiple hair follicles simultaneously and cover larger areas in less time than ever.
There is a range of laser hair removal devices on the market, with certain being more effective than others. One such effective device is FDA-approved diode laser hair removal – especially effective for dark skin types – while more often seen advertised on Groupon discount ads is an IPL machine which does not perform as effectively against dark spots.
Visit a medical spa with a dermatologist on staff for the best chance at success with laser hair removal. Their staff can recommend the ideal type of laser treatment that matches up with both your skin tone and hair color, and will also assist with scheduling multiple sessions to achieve optimal results.
Laser hair removal sessions can be quick and painless, but it is still important to follow post-treatment instructions carefully. In particular, avoid sun exposure, take cold showers after each treatment session, apply an ice pack to the area treated, as well as refraining from using skincare products that could trigger reactions in response to laser energy.
Insurance
Laser hair removal is a safe, noninvasive way of eliminating unwanted body hair. The procedure itself is quick and relatively painless and can be performed virtually anywhere on your body; however, it’s essential that a reputable clinic with trained physician perform the procedure and insurance coverage is considered as well; most policies only cover laser hair removal procedures if they’re medically necessary (this could include being diagnosed with hirsutism which leads to excessive hair growth).
Laser hair removal costs vary based on the size and number of sessions needed to treat an area. Although treatments can be costly, most individuals can afford the process thanks to financing plans or discounts – not to mention long-term savings due to reduced unwanted hair growth.
Most insurance policies don’t cover laser hair removal unless it is determined necessary for medical conditions, so speaking with a doctor or registered nurse familiar with the procedure and advocating on your behalf is often best. Also check with local spas, medspas or esthetician offices if they offer insurance coverage for laser hair removal treatments.
At your consultation, a nurse or doctor will go over your medical history and the areas you wish to treat. They’ll assess skin tone and texture as well as discuss any medications or medical conditions that could impede with the procedure. Appointments will then be scheduled at intervals based on hair growth cycle for these areas.
At each session, a nurse or doctor will use the Cynosure Elite+ laser machine to remove unwanted hair from your face and body. This modern device features a dual wavelength system which works for all skin types while its cooling system helps minimize discomfort during treatment. Prior to your appointment, it’s important to stop waxing, tweezing or shaving the treated areas as this could increase hyper- or hypopigmentation risks.
