Though laser hair removal cannot change pore size directly, studies have demonstrated its ability to lessen their appearance. Both micro-pulsed and Q-switched laser treatments were shown to significantly diminish enlarged pores among participants of one study.
Over time, laser hair removal can help significantly slow the rate of hair growth; however, it’s not a permanent solution and hair will return in due course.
1. Reducing the number of hair follicles
Unwanted hair growth can be an embarrassing problem for people of all skin complexions, making clothing less flattering and leading to time-consuming grooming rituals like shaving or waxing. Laser hair removal provides a safe and effective solution that safely and quickly reduces the number of follicles on your body producing unwanted hair follicles, with light energy used during laser sessions destroying pigment from hair follicles that produce new hair growth follicles preventing new hair production altogether. Therefore it’s essential that regular laser sessions be scheduled in order to permanently eliminate unwanted growth of unwanted hair growth!
Laser treatments for hair removal employ a laser that’s tuned specifically to target pigment in both your hair and skin cells, and bypasses the top layer of skin, so sun exposure should be limited before any session begins. You will wear goggles during this process to protect your eyes from light exposure while numbing gel is applied directly over the affected area, before laser pulses of light are delivered using its powerful beam. Depending on its size and the complexity of treatment area, these sessions could last between several minutes and one hour or even more than that!
Laser hair removal stands apart from other treatments by helping reduce pores rather than expanding them, thanks to its collagen-stimulating effects. When thermal energy from a laser penetrates deep into your skin, it stimulates collagen production – an essential protein that keeps skin tight and firm – which has a positive impact on pore size.
Studies have also demonstrated that enlarged pores can be caused by an overproduction of sebum, the natural oil produced by your body to keep skin moisturized and protect it. When excessive sebum production takes place, dilated pores may result. Some studies suggest laser hair removal could help decrease sebum production which in turn may reduce pore size; more research needs to be conducted into this topic though.
2. Reducing the size of the hair follicles
At laser hair removal treatments, a laser beam passes through the upper layer of skin to target and destroy hair follicles. Follicles may become permanently damaged so they no longer produce hair; or alternatively they could produce very thin, fine hairs that will eventually fade into invisibility. This technique can reduce hair growth by as much as 85% when administered multiple times over multiple sessions, and is an entirely non-invasive and safe procedure with no downtime afterward. Before your treatment begins, we provide a brief consultation with one of our dermatologists where they will select initial settings for your laser session and review all safety precautions with you. It is strongly suggested that tanning or using any sunless skin creams at least four weeks before beginning laser sessions as these methods disrupt hair follicles. Plucking or waxing should also be avoided to minimize disruption.
Laser type and your hair or skin color will both have an impact on how effective laser hair removal treatments are, but this has no bearing on how quickly hair will return after sessions are complete. Some individuals experience paradoxical hair growth after laser hair removal sessions are complete – though this usually only lasts temporarily.
Laser treatments not only reduce unwanted hair but can also treat scarring and acne to produce overall improvements to skin texture and quality resulting in smaller pores.
Most patients will require four to eight laser hair removal treatments at four to six week intervals for significant hair reduction, due to how this method only affects hair follicles in their anagen (growth) phase – any that have moved into catagen (transitional phase) or resting phase won’t be touched by this treatment.
Understand that hair follicles that have been permanently damaged will no longer produce new hair even with repeated treatments, though it’s possible for some strands to return in slightly thicker quantities than their predecessor.
3. Reducing the amount of sebum
Though not an instant cure for acne, laser hair removal can help prevent breakouts by unclogging pores and decreasing sebum production. Sebum is a naturally produced oil from glands located within your skin’s glands; when these produce too much of it, it can build up in pores, leading to them widening over time and possibly leading to oily or blackheady skin conditions.
Laser treatment can help lower sebum production from your glands and shrink your pores by as much as 20%, with one study finding that lasers were successful at doing both by stimulating cell renewal and collagen production, with both micropulsed and Q-switched lasers effective in doing this.
This study’s results demonstrate the significance of both laser type and pulse duration as key factors in reducing pore size. Q-switched lasers proved particularly effective, inducing temporary temperature rises within pores to damage sebum without harming nearby epidermis layers.
Enlarged pores are an unsightly cosmetic issue that affects many people, particularly women. Aside from being unsightly, their presence makes your skin appear older than it actually is. Although various treatments exist to shrink enlarged pores down, most require regular maintenance in order to be effective; laser hair removal offers an easy and safe solution to reducing their size.
Laser hair removal may leave your skin appearing slightly discolored; this is a normal side effect and should fade over the course of several days to a week on its own. However, prior to getting laser treatments it’s wise to avoid products which darken the skin such as tanning creams and self-tanners which darken skin tone artificially.
Capital Laser & Skin Care can arrange for you to meet with a dermatologist or aesthetician who can assess your skin to see if laser hair removal treatment would be the appropriate way of shrinking its size and reduce pores. In addition, we will also provide you with a list of items to avoid prior to scheduling an appointment.
4. Reducing the size of the pores
Oily skin, sun damage, and aging are all known to contribute to an enlarged pores on the face. While there are various products on the market claiming to shrink them, none always work effectively. A dermatologist may recommend pore-reducer treatments like chemical peels or laser skin treatment in order to remove sebum build-up as well as boost collagen production, tightening skin tighter while making pores appear smaller.
Pore-reduction treatments may take some time to work; you may require multiple sessions before experiencing their full effects. After receiving laser therapy, it’s common to experience redness and swelling for several hours or days afterward; an ice pack and anti-irritant creams should help soothe any irritation caused by this treatment. You must also avoid sunlight as instructed by your dermatologist; they should also use sunscreen regularly as recommended.
Some pore-reduction treatments involve lasers that target melanin in hair shafts to lighten its color and make it less noticeable, as well as reduce blemishes such as blackheads and whiteheads. The process usually is quick and painless; however, you will likely need protective eyewear during this procedure and your dermatologist may apply topical anesthetic creams or patches to alleviate discomfort during your visit.
Large pores can make skin look dull and oily even if it’s not oily, even without being oily yourself. Some women attempt to diminish the appearance of their pores with pore-shrinking masks, but these products may do more damage than good; in reality, your pores don’t open or close on their own; rather they become visible only when blocked with excess oil or dead cells clogging their pathways – using such masks may not be beneficial long term; you might need medical advice instead.
