Laser hair removal can provide long-term solutions for patients suffering from unwanted body hair. Unfortunately, permanent results do not always occur and touch up maintenance treatments may be required in some instances.
Before beginning a laser hair removal treatment, it is crucial to conduct a comprehensive history and physical exam, counsel the patient appropriately and manage expectations.
1. Hair is too dark
Laser hair removal works best on those with thick, dark hair against lighter skin tones as the contrast helps the laser more accurately target pigment in hair follicles. However, some individuals who naturally have light-colored locks on a lighter complexion still benefit from laser treatments, provided they take several key steps that ensure each session is as successful as possible.
First, if you have light hair, it is recommended that the area to be treated is shaved 1-2 days before beginning laser sessions. This allows the laser to absorb pigment more readily and more effectively destroy hair growing cells within the follicles. Furthermore, waxing or plucking must not occur between sessions as this could interfere with proper laser absorption and detection of hair growing cells within them.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a side effect of laser treatments, occurs when laser energy reaches more of the surrounding skin than it does the hair pigment. This discoloration can become worsened by tanning or having certain skin tones more susceptible than others to discoloration from laser energy. To minimize its risk, make sure that any laser therapist using it is certified technician who knows how to safely use the device across all skin types.
Make sure that your hair is sufficiently dark before laser treatment by applying a special carbon dye prior to each session. This product, applied via rub-on application onto hair and skin, helps increase contrast between pigment found in hair and pigment found in skin, increasing laser absorption more efficiently and creating greater contrast between them. While not a permanent solution, carbon dye could prove helpful until more technologically advanced lasers become available that can treat more complex combinations of hair color combinations.
2. Hair is too light
Laser hair removal works best on darker-colored hair because laser energy attracts to pigment in hair follicles without harming surrounding skin. Lighter colored hair doesn’t contain as much pigment to draw in laser energy and treat with laser energy; thus making treatment harder for these lighter hues. That being said, permanent results from lighter-hair laser treatments still can be achieved; it just takes more time and additional sessions before lasting effects appear.
Blond hair doesn’t contain enough pigment to absorb laser energy, thus eliminating their eligibility for laser treatments; waxing or chemical depilatories may be better options in these instances. But recent advances in technology make it possible to treat lighter shades effectively using laser treatments provided you find an appropriate technician and salon.
Before scheduling a laser treatment appointment at any clinic or spa offering laser therapies, always conduct extensive research. Ask about their technician’s education and experience to make sure you get the best treatments available. It may also be wise to select doctor-led clinics, since these may employ highly-skilled and knowledgeable laser technicians working for them.
Fluence (power) settings used during laser treatment depend on various factors. Spot size, skin type and calibration of the laser all play an integral part in determining how high or low fluence should be to achieve maximum treatment results. It’s essential that technicians understand these interactions between variables that interact with each patient to deliver safe, comfortable treatments with long-lasting results.
There are various lasers designed to treat unwanted hair, and each has their own advantages and disadvantages. For instance, the Diolase laser was specifically developed to permanently eradicate unwanted hair without harming surrounding tissues – this works by sending heat directly into the root of each follicle in order to cause it to stop growing hair in future growth cycles and stop future expansion of unwanted strands. Furthermore, its ability to target melanin pigment in each hair follicle accounts for its effectiveness.
3. Hair is too coarse
Coarse hair removal has traditionally been difficult with traditional methods of hair removal, but laser technology has made rapid advances over the last three decades. Modern laser machines deliver more power at higher pulse rates with reduced thermal damage to skin, providing faster and more effective treatments without risk of scarring or burning of skin. Furthermore, treatments can now be carried out more safely at professional dermatology clinics with trained operatives rather than beauty salons where operators may lack sufficient knowledge of using such machines with proper techniques.
However, just because your hair is coarse doesn’t mean you must settle for less-than-desirable results. With proper treatment from an experienced practitioner and understanding of various laser technologies available today, great permanent hair reduction results are still achievable with just a few treatments. Do your research carefully when selecting your clinician so as not to miss any opportunities available to you!
A good practitioner understands the spot size of laser, machine calibration and pulse width are all vital factors when it comes to setting fluence settings for different skin and hair types. A skilled practitioner will consider both color and texture when setting these fluence settings as well as your location of hair follicles as active or dormant follicles are active or dormant follicles – which is why getting a referral from trusted sources and choosing professional medically led beauty clinics for treatments are both extremely important.
Before your appointment, it is also necessary to prepare the area by not shaving, waxing or using any form of chemical epilation for several days prior. You should also stay out of direct sunlight and wear high SPF broad spectrum sunscreen after receiving treatments.
Hair reduction typically requires multiple sessions before noticeable results can be seen; most people realize permanent reduction after three. If your provider doesn’t seem to be helping, this may be because they are using settings not appropriate to your skin type and hair color, or perhaps over-stimulating reactivated follicles with overly aggressive stimulation techniques.
4. Hair is too thin
Laser hair removal is a safe, reliable way to permanently reduce unwanted body hair. While results may differ between people even when treated by trained and certified practitioners, it’s essential that patients choose a reputable practice as opposed to cutting corners by purchasing treatments from unlicensed practitioners at rock bottom prices.
Lasers use a focused beam of light to penetrate hair follicles and damage or destroy them, thus stopping new hair growth and keeping your skin clear and smooth. Therefore, it’s best to refrain from plucking or waxing in the area you wish to treat for six weeks prior to treatment, as this activity could interfere with how effectively the laser latches onto each follicle and locks onto it for treatment. However, shaving may still be done provided it uses an antibacterial razor that doesn’t shave too close against skin leaving vulnerable and open to infection post treatment.
Different body areas require different levels and schedules of treatments due to differing hair growth rates and thicknesses, so before beginning treatments it is essential that you communicate your expectations to your practitioner to ensure they are working towards achieving your desired outcomes.
Hormones and genetics both play a part in how hair grows and responds to laser treatments, with hormones having the greatest influence. If you suffer from PCOS or postmenopause, for example, thicker growth could follow after laser treatments than previously experienced.
One factor that can significantly impact your results is the type of laser used for treatments. As technology has advanced, so has its light and cooling systems on many professional lasers, providing safer, more consistent and higher-quality outcomes for lighter skin types alike.
If you’re experiencing these or any other unwanted laser hair removal side effects, contact Verve Weight Loss & Laser Aesthetic Medical Spa immediately. Our team is committed to finding a solution that will give you hairless skin!
