To perform the procedure, a doctor will use a laser instrument on your skin while also protecting you from discomfort or side effects by placing a cooling device or gel at its tip.
After receiving treatment, your skin may resemble mild sunburn. To minimize permanent side effects and ensure optimal recovery, avoid tanning beds as much as possible and follow all aftercare recommendations from your dermatologist.
It’s Safe
Cold laser hair removal is a relatively harmless treatment when performed by an experienced dermatologist, although some temporary side effects such as redness, swelling, pigmentation or blistering may arise afterward – most patients can resume normal activities immediately following treatment.
Before undergoing this procedure, it’s essential to speak with your doctor about its potential benefits and risks, while making sure your skin color and hair type match those suitable for this process. Finally, follow his or her pre and post treatment instructions carefully so as to minimize side effects and ensure optimal results.
At each session, your physician will press a handheld device against your skin to activate the laser and trigger it – the sensation is like that of rubber band snapping against skin but is pain-free. Treatment time varies according to area being addressed – typically it lasts from minutes up to hours per session depending on where laser beams are directed. Eye protection should always be worn during these treatments to avoid damaging them further.
Laser therapy works by targeting mitochondria within cells of your hair follicles and targeting their mitochondria directly, which in turn causes them to stop producing hair or produce significantly thinner and lighter growth. Furthermore, it speeds up cell regeneration so damaged tissue is repaired faster.
After treatment, it’s not unusual for your skin to look reddened and swollen – similar to how waxing or shaving leaves the area feeling; there may also be crusting of skin in the treated area; keeping this area moisturized by applying an ice pack can help minimize this reaction.
Cold laser hair removal is most often and safely accomplished through multiple sessions spread out over 4-8 weeks, to ensure all unwanted hair follicles are in their anagen phase of growth and can be targeted with the laser. Other forms of hair removal, like waxing or plucking can disrupt this growth cycle and inhibit its ability to reach all follicles effectively.
It’s Effective
Lasers often conjure images of sci-fi movies or surgical procedures; however, lasers are also being utilized for non-invasive cosmetic treatments – including hair removal. Laser hair removal stands out among its many non-surgical alternatives as providing significant and lasting results without needing ongoing maintenance costs or painful shaving sessions.
Laser energy penetrates skin to reach hair follicle pigment and damages it, so that no new hair growth occurs. While individual needs vary, most require five sessions spaced four weeks apart.
Laser hair removal involves pressing a handheld instrument against your skin surface, with some devices equipped with cooling devices or cool gel on their tips, in order to protect and minimize discomfort. Once activated, lasers emit beams which emit laser light rays; you may feel something similar to warm pinpricking or rubber band snapping against your skin; discomfort during this procedure should generally be well tolerated.
Some individuals experience less discomfort during laser treatments depending on the type of laser device and area being treated. For instance, Candela Gentle offers dynamic cooling devices which blast cold air directly where their laser is pointed – helping significantly lessen any sense of pain during treatments.
Laser hair removal does come with some potential side effects, although they should be minimal when administered by an experienced board-certified dermatologist. Potential complications include pigment changes (darkening or lightening of skin tone), blistering, scarring and infections – these risks increase when working with inexperienced laser technicians or having darker skin tones.
Prior to receiving laser hair removal treatment, it’s recommended to refrain from plucking, waxing and electrolysis for six weeks in order to ensure the laser can find and target hair roots more efficiently. Furthermore, sun exposure must also be minimized for this same purpose; taking blood-thinning medications could impair this effort as well.
It’s Fast
Laser hair removal is much faster than traditional methods for eliminating unwanted body hair. Our Cynosure Elite Nd:YAG and Alexandrite lasers allow us to treat any area of the body much quicker than with waxing, threading or shaving – giving you results faster with fewer touch-up sessions over time.
Dependent upon your pain threshold and treatment area, some discomfort during laser treatment sessions may occur; however, they tend to be short and most patients find them manageable. Numbing creams or ice packs may help decrease any sensation caused by the laser beam touching their skin.
Once the laser hits your skin, it absorbs heat energy to destroy hair follicles and prevent them from producing new hair growth – leading to permanent hair reduction over time. This method offers greater convenience compared to other hair removal treatments which require multiple visits with doctors in order to reach the same goal.
Laser hair removal also promotes healthy skin growth. Once your hair has been eliminated, the affected area’s skin will feel silkier than ever. Furthermore, laser treatments can effectively treat ingrown hairs and prevent painful bumps associated with other methods like shaving.
Laser hair removal offers quick and painless hair removal without downtime, making it the ideal option to try before summer arrives. This treatment will leave your skin softer and easier to protect with sunscreen once all those pesky hairs have been gone from view!
If you’re considering laser hair removal, it is vital that your physician is both experienced and knowledgeable of skin conditions. Otherwise, side effects could include scarring, burns and discoloration of the skin – choosing an experienced dermatologist ensures you will experience only positive outcomes from laser treatments.
It’s Affordable
Laser hair removal may not be inexpensive, but it is still more cost-effective than its alternatives: waxing, shaving and purchasing nonpermanent razors or creams. A session may cost $150-250 depending on which area is being treated – some medical spas and dermatology offices even provide group packages to cover larger areas such as legs or bikini regions.
Laser hair removal equipment contains a component that emits light at wavelengths that interact with melanin pigment, the same one responsible for giving skin its natural color and tanning effects. When this light interacts with this melanin-containing pigment it turns it into heat which destroys hair follicles and prevents their further growth.
During a treatment session, patients’ skin is protected with a cooling gel and can benefit from being chilled with ice; this can help ease any pain-induced discomfort for sensitive individuals and allow them to return immediately back to normal activities after each treatment session. However, some may experience redness and swelling similar to what one might see after being exposed directly to sunlight; to combat these side effects safely they should limit sun exposure as much as possible and use broad spectrum SPF30 sunscreen daily.
Prior to an appointment, it is vital that patients shave the area of skin being treated. This ensures that the laser targets only hair follicles instead of heating up other parts of the body. Furthermore, tanning, hair removal creams, or any other methods must be avoided for at least six weeks prior to their visit.
Locating an experienced doctor trained in laser hair removal is paramount. While physician assistants or licensed nurses may perform treatments under supervision from a board-certified doctor who understands your skin type and laser types used. Be wary of spas and salons which allow nonmedical staff to perform treatments on patients. When visiting for your initial consultation session, ensure you fully comprehend all costs involved with laser hair removal treatments, along with seeing before-and-after photos from past clients for an idea of the results you can expect from laser treatment.
