Laser hair removal offers permanent reduction of unwanted hairs compared to shaving, waxing or plucking; however, for optimal cosmetic results it must be repeated at intervals to achieve best cosmetic outcomes. To maintain those benefits it’s recommended that multiple sessions should take place at intervals.
Treatments for the face and bikini area might be scheduled every four weeks; treatments for legs and arms could take place every eight weeks.
1. Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is the most permanent way of eliminating unwanted body hair. Treatment sessions typically need to occur every four to six weeks for best results.
Laser treatments offer an alternative to waxing that doesn’t cause skin damage: laser beams target pigment in hair follicles to prevent further growth, making this treatment suitable for all skin tones from light to dark.
Prior to beginning laser treatment sessions, it is necessary to consult with a dermatologist in order to assess if you are suitable for laser treatments. Pregnant and breastfeeding women and those who have a history of herpes simplex virus infection, psoriasis, or bleeding disorders should not receive laser treatments.
Your doctor will shave and apply topical pain reliever and protective gel before beginning the laser light procedure, wearing goggles for protection during treatment itself. Small areas typically take less than 15 minutes while larger ones could require up to an hour for completion.
Within several treatment sessions, laser light will successfully slow hair growth. Over time, your hair should begin to shed on its own; Bradley suggests applying an aloe vera or cortisone cream as needed to keep skin hydrated while healing occurs.
Laser hair removal treatments typically produce results for several years; however, new hair growth may occasionally be triggered by hormonal fluctuations; should this occur, touch-up treatments are possible in order to maintain results and protect them indefinitely. It is therefore vital that you see an experienced practitioner in order to develop a safe and effective treatment plan.
2. IPL Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is an effective, painless solution to unwanted hair growth. Results typically appear after six treatments but don’t guarantee permanent removal.
IPL hair removal offers another solution, using pulses of light to target pigment found in hair follicles and disrupt melanin formation to stop further hair growth.
IPL treatment is suitable for all skin colors and can treat areas such as legs, bikini area, underarms and face. Additionally, it targets unsightly veins to reduce their appearance; plus it’s cheaper than laser and can even be done from your own home! The great thing about IPL is its affordability: treatments can be completed from anywhere within your own home!
Remember, laser and IPL treatments only target hairs in their growth stage, so to achieve optimal results you’ll require multiple sessions over several months. Furthermore, to maximize results it’s wise to avoid plucking or waxing prior to treatments as this could prevent their effective targeting by the laser or IPL.
Once your laser or IPL hair removal sessions have concluded, it’s essential to maintain an effective maintenance routine by regularly applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect the area treated by laser or IPL hair removal and moisturize skin with an ointment such as aloe vera, cortisone or Aquaphor to avoid dryness and flaking. Also avoid any shaving products or tweezers in between treatments.
3. Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing is one of the best ways to permanently decrease hair growth on legs, face, and bikini area. Unlike shaving, waxing, or plucking which simply trim away above-skin growth of hairs from its root level; laser skin resurfacing uses high-heat laser beams that pass through skin layers targeting small follicles where new strands arise; the heat damages these follicles preventing new growth from coming through again in subsequent cycles; typically four weeks apart to get optimal results – usually four laser treatments will suffice in terms of results achieved.
Laser treatments may be uncomfortable if performed on sensitive areas like your neck or underarms. To ease any pain associated with treatment, topical pain-relieving gel should be applied prior to beginning laser treatments. After treatment has concluded, you may experience redness that will eventually fade with time; camouflage makeup is an excellent solution to conceal this reddening.
Your physician will conduct a comprehensive review of your medical history, taking note of any conditions which might contribute to hirsutism, as well as conducting a physical exam. They will discuss your expectations and answer any questions about the treatment; since laser treatment can alter pigment, it’s wise to avoid bleaching products prior to or following your appointment.
Your doctor will select an ideal wavelength, pulse duration and cooling method based on your Fitzpatrick skin type and hair color. Treatment typically lasts an hour for smaller areas and up to three hours or more in larger ones such as chest or back areas. Lasers can also be used to treat other skin issues including scarring, sun damage, wrinkles, enlarged oil glands on nose as well as acne rosacea or birthmarks.
4. Chemical Peels
Laser hair removal can be an effective method for eliminating unwanted body hair. Laser beams target and destroy hair-producing follicles to stop new hair growth – more effectively than shaving (which often leaves ingrown hairs) or waxing (which requires scheduling regular appointments and might take several sessions to achieve long-lasting results). According to Mayo Clinic research however, laser hair removal doesn’t always remove all follicles, meaning results might not always be permanent.
Chemical peels use a solution of one or more chemicals to smooth the skin’s surface and improve its appearance, including decreasing sun spots, age spots, freckles and uneven skin coloring. They may also treat precancerous scaly patches known as actinic keratosis which appear on its surface.
This procedure is usually painless; however, the depth of the peel will determine its degree of discomfort. While shallow peels generally don’t cause pain or throbbing sensations, deeper ones could produce sunburn-like reactions with symptoms including burning sensations that throb, burn, and itch. Depending on its type, topical anesthetic might also be provided in order to minimize pain during this procedure.
After your treatment, you will likely experience redness and swelling in the area being treated. Ice packs may provide comfort while over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB and others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) can be taken for any discomfort caused by treatment. Be sure to follow your practitioner’s before and post-treatment instructions, including not going outside until your skin has completely healed – using SPF 30 sunscreen is recommended until this has happened; most patients need 2 to 6 treatments spaced several weeks apart in order for permanent hair removal but this doesn’t guarantee permanent hair removal but rather slows hair growth over time while leading to finer strands growing back over time if not permanent removal!
5. Microdermabrasion
Laser hair removal uses high-heat laser beams to heat and damage the tiny follicles that produce new strands of hair, without harming surrounding tissue or leaving any lasting scars behind. Once these follicles have stopped producing hair, you will have smoother skin.
This treatment works best on lighter skin tones with darker hair. Although fine light hair may also see results, pregnant women and those suffering from certain skin conditions, such as psoriasis, vitiligo or bleeding disorders should avoid it as it could pose risks.
Your doctor will use a hand-held laser instrument to press against your skin, while a cooling device or gel may be utilized to protect its surface and limit any discomfort during this treatment process. Although most patients find the experience tolerable, some report feeling mild pinpricks of heat during this treatment session.
How many laser hair removal treatments it will take for you to achieve the results that meet your criteria varies with each person; some only need two to six sessions; after this point you could enjoy months or years without visible hair on your body and when hair does grow back it tends to be less visible and lighter in color than its original strands.
When selecting a facility for laser hair removal, be sure that the doctor who will perform treatments is board-certified in dermatology or has an equivalent specialty. Furthermore, it would be wise to avoid spas or salons that allow nonmedical staff such as nurse practitioners or physician assistants perform laser procedures; doing so increases your risk of complications like scarring.
