Hair grows in cycles, and laser treatments are designed to target only active growth phase hair follicles. If clients discontinue treatments or employ methods that disrupt this cycle such as shaving or waxing, the hair will begin to regrow again and their results may fade quickly.
Customers who attend regular treatments sessions at optimal intervals can achieve long-term, up to permanent results from laser hair removal treatments administered by Dr. Green at her Upper East Side dermatology practice in Manhattan. She can develop an individualized laser hair removal plan just for each client who visits her office on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
The Anagen Stage
An anagen phase hair is actively growing. Additionally, this stage contains the highest concentration of pigment (the substance that gives skin and hair its color). Laser or light-based treatments for hair removal work best when targeting pigmented areas on hair shafts containing them; when emitting laser energy passes through skin into hair shafts with pigment, heating it until its energy reaches your hair follicles with this pigment are damaged beyond repair by laser energy, no longer being able to produce new hair growth; plus this stage offers easier removal due to long and dense locks of growth!
However, it’s essential to keep in mind that your hair growth cycle consists of three distinct phases – Anagen, Catagen and Telogen – with scalp hair staying in this phase for much longer than other body areas, necessitating multiple laser or IPL hair removal sessions to remove it all at once.
Anagen hair growth allows it to be easily treated as it rises above the surface while still attached to dermal papillas, making this phase ideal for laser or light-based device zapping of unwanted hairs.
The catagen phase marks a transitional period between anagen and telogen phases, when your hair grows shorter before detaching from its follicle and eventually falling out. Since no new growth is being created during this phase, laser or IPL treatments should not be performed as they could damage follicles and block future hair growth.
Once your hair reaches the telogen phase, it goes dormant until its follicle enters anagen phase and restarts growing again. Since only anagen phase hair removal treatments can target this stage, ongoing sessions until all your treatment area hair has reached this phase may take anywhere between 6-8 sessions with results continuing to improve after each one.
The Telogen Stage
Lasers transform light into heat, heating the pigment in your hair follicle and damaging it so as to stop future growth of that particular follicle. The aim is to cause permanent change to its structure and prevent it from ever producing hair again; but unlike waxing or shaving, laser treatments must strike when anagen hair follicles are in their anagen phase for lasting effects; so the benefits may take several months before fully taking effect.
While laser at-home devices are safer than professional medical settings, you may still experience side effects. Some users report temporary redness or irritation; these effects usually subside quickly with continued usage of the device as directed and should a dermatologist is needed if discomfort continues.
Laser hair removal at home should never be undertaken if pregnant or trying to become pregnant as its treatments can have the power to disrupt natural hormonal balance in your body, potentially impacting any future pregnancies that result.
At-home laser hair removal devices are designed to work for a range of skin tones and hair colors, but their effectiveness tends to be optimized when there is an obvious contrast between your skin pigmentation and that of your hair pigment. People with deeper skin tones and lighter locks may not achieve desired results since light may not penetrate as deeply into their tissues.
Before making a commitment to laser hair removal at home, it’s advisable to conduct a preliminary trial using an at-home device, especially if there’s an important event coming up like your wedding or honeymoon. Be sure that it is safe for use on your skin by reading and following all instructions that come with the device (including patch tests or protective goggles ).
Keep in mind that at-home laser hair removal devices, commonly marketed as “lasers,” actually utilize IPL (intense pulsed light). IPL uses light to destroy melanin pigments found within hair follicles and slow future growth. Look for an IPL setting with flash duration between 5-10 seconds to minimize burn or irritation risks on your skin.
The Growth Phase
Laser hair removal is a safe and permanent way to get rid of unwanted body hair. It works by targeting an intense beam of light at the pigment (melanin) present in hair follicles to heat them up and destroy them follicles; multiple treatments may be required due to your natural hair growth cycle; each time, more anagen phase follicles come online at once than earlier on in anagen phase cycle.
An anagen phase typically lasts several months. At this stage, hair follicles absorb heat from laser treatments more effectively and grow actively, making this an ideal time for laser therapy treatment.
During the catagen phase, your hair ceases to grow and separates from its dermal papilla that feeds it, before shrinking back down into resting or telogen phase follicles that no longer show above your skin surface. These stages are not suitable for laser treatment as your follicle does not provide enough exposure for laser therapy to penetrate it effectively.
Telogen phases can last up to one year before your hair returns to anagen and starts growing back again, which makes it essential to stay on schedule with laser hair removal treatments at recommended intervals. Skipping treatments or waiting too long could mean your hair goes into catagen or telogen phases that prevent laser targeting – meaning less effective results overall.
After and before any treatment, make sure that your skin remains soft and smooth. Do not shave, wax or pluck the area as this may interfere with its effectiveness and prevent lasting results from laser hair removal sessions. It may also help to use a cooling gel designed specifically for treating the area in order to reduce inflammation and redness afterward; these can help reduce redness as well. Additionally, avoid products containing retinol or salicylic acid as these may cause further irritation and redness in your skin.
The Final Stage
Laser hair removal differs from shaving or waxing in that it actually destroys the hair follicle to stop future growth, with less pain experienced on sensitive areas of the body than waxing. Furthermore, its results last much longer than shaving, tweezing, plucking or plucking; once your treatment course has concluded and reached optimal hair reduction you may not see new growth for months or even years!
Laser hair removal works using selective photothermolysis. Heat from the laser targets cells that contain high amounts of melanin pigment found in hair follicles, vaporizing it to destroy them and stop further hair growth. As each follicle grows at different rates, multiple treatment sessions may be required in order to target all anagen stage follicles that need removal.
Before beginning laser hair removal treatment, it’s wise to shave the area that will be addressed. This will remove the top layer of skin and allow the laser to easily target follicles under it. Also be wary of tanning beds during the weeks preceding treatment as naturally or artificially tanned skin may make laser removal less effective or cause side effects.
If it becomes necessary for you to tan, use only safe tanning products and only on areas of your body not scheduled for laser hair removal treatments such as hot showers or exercise. Furthermore, try not to do anything that might increase blood flow to that area such as taking hot showers or participating in physical activities that stimulate it like running.
Based on your skin type and desired results, laser hair removal treatments might require touch-up sessions every year or two after completion of an intensive course. While not permanent, most people find laser treatments offer long-lasting and much more effective results than shaving, tweezing or waxing; plus you could save money in the long run since purchasing and maintaining a laser system costs much less than buying razors and shaving cream on an annual basis.
