Laser light penetrates your hair’s pigment, damaging hair follicles in the process and rendering them incapable of producing new locks.
Although it can be challenging to permanently destroy all hair follicles, some will inevitably recur; that is why most individuals require multiple treatments; it also takes time for damaged follicles to heal.
Hair Growth Cycles
Laser hair removal works differently from shaving or waxing in that it aims to target and kill unwanted hair at its roots through selective photothermolysis, targeting its melanin content while leaving surrounding skin undamaged. Melanin absorbs laser energy and converts it to heat that destroys and disables dermal papillae that feed the bulb causing further hair regrowth.
Laser treatment also significantly decreases ingrown hairs, an issue often encountered with traditional salon hair removal methods. From shaving to epilating, ingrown hairs are an irritation that can be especially painful; with regular laser sessions you won’t have to worry about them anymore.
Permanent hair reduction may be achieved with just one full course of laser treatments; however, most will need follow-up sessions every few months in order to see long-term effects. Treatment frequency will depend on hormone levels, natural growth cycles and other factors; typically 6-8 treatments approximately 4 weeks apart are necessary to see optimal results.
After your initial treatments of laser hair removal, you should notice your unwanted hairs becoming finer and lighter in color. Some might even go away altogether! This is due to being in their anagen phase at the time of each laser session when they’re most susceptible to laser removal.
Once your hair reaches the telogen phase, it goes into resting mode until your body tells it to start growing back again – usually much thinner and lighter in color than before.
Telogen cycles typically last 120 days, making laser treatments all the more important to ensure effective hair restoration. Missing one session could mean your locks go back into telogen mode and won’t reach anagen phase for 6-12 weeks after all; making treatment ineffective and delaying seeing desired results until next time around.
Target Areas
Laser hair removal is an ideal cosmetic solution for men and women seeking an alternative to shaving, waxing or tweezing for hair removal. This treatment works by targeting the follicles underneath to disable them so they no longer produce hair growth; multiple sessions may be needed before smooth, hair-free skin is achieved on various areas such as arms, legs, chest or face; some people do experience growth after the first few laser sessions though.
As damaged hair follicles can still produce hair after laser hair removal treatments, even though its thickness or length won’t match that which was present before laser treatments began, and any that does grow back afterward might even be lighter or finer than what existed prior to treatments, it is wise to commit to regular laser hair removal sessions for best results.
If you do notice new growth after laser treatments, it’s important to avoid shaving or tweezing as this could cause ingrown hairs and other complications. Instead, let the hair fall out over 7-30 days naturally before returning for another session of laser treatments.
Hair may regrowth due to hormonal fluctuations after laser hair removal, so it’s essential that you stick with your treatment schedule and visit your specialist regularly for touchup sessions – this may mean visiting every six months to a year in order to achieve long-term results.
At your initial consultation with a laser specialist, they will evaluate the area to assess if you are suitable for laser hair removal. This decision typically hinges on your hair color and skin tone – those with dark hair and light skin tend to experience greater success from this procedure than others; however, new technological developments now enable more men and women to obtain permanent results from this form of hair removal, regardless of skin tone or hair color.
Treatments
Laser hair removal involves using a powerful laser to destroy hair follicles in your skin. The treatment typically lasts only minutes to treat small areas like underarms or up to an hour for larger ones like your back. You may experience redness and swelling after your session – your doctor may advise using ice to reduce discomfort. In between treatments, avoid direct sunlight by applying broad spectrum SPF30 sunscreen; this will protect against harmful UV rays from the sun’s rays.
For your own protection, protective eye goggles must be worn during this procedure. A laser technician will hold your skin taut as they pass a laser over the area being treated, damaging follicles responsible for unwanted hair growth and disrupting them with laser light pulses. Although you may experience a warm pinprick or stinging sensation when first beginning treatment, this sensation usually passes quickly afterward.
Before beginning laser hair removal treatments, it is necessary to shave an area in order to expose enough of the hair follicle for destruction by laser light. In addition, you should refrain from plucking, waxing or using sunless tanning creams at least four weeks before your session with your specialist laser hair removal provider. Furthermore, be aware that certain medications must be avoided and your skin lightened using bleaching cream before you attend your appointment session.
Although some individuals experience hairlessness after just a few sessions of laser hair removal treatment, most need four to six visits in order to see optimal results. Hair loss and growth naturally occurs in cycles, and laser treatment works best when hair follicles are in their new-growth phase; when hair does regrow it will often be lighter and finer.
Long-term results require having maintenance treatments every six to 12 months. Laser hair removal can be an excellent solution to tackle unwanted hair growth; talk to your provider about expected outcomes as well as package deals or flexible payment plans that might help lower costs of your treatments.
Side Effects
Keep the following in mind when seeking laser hair removal: * If your skin is dark or tanned, a doctor might prescribe skin bleaching cream prior to laser treatments; (2) You’ll want to refrain from shaving and waxing in the weeks leading up to sessions as these methods could disturb hair follicles; * It is also wise to wait at least four weeks between each appointment as this can help ensure optimal results
Bear in mind that hair regrowth following laser treatment may vary from what’s expected, often appearing finer and lighter in color than its previous state. This is perfectly normal and doesn’t imply that treatment was ineffective.
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective solution to eliminating unwanted body hair. Unlike shaving or waxing, which involve cuts or pain for sensitive skin types, laser hair removal does not cause cuts or pain during its procedure – saving both time and money in terms of time saved and money saved since its faster than either option.
After your laser treatments have completed, you should still shave and wax as necessary; just be mindful. Shaving and waxing can lead to ingrown hairs that lead to folliculitis – an inflammation in which hairs curl under and grow back into the skin causing red bumps – leaving behind painful red bumps on your skin. Laser hair removal treatments may help by permanently disabling hair follicles.
Laser hair removal usually requires multiple sessions spread out over several months in order to target all your growth phase hairs with laser energy; otherwise, they won’t be visible enough for treatment by the laser and won’t be targeted effectively.
Pine Belt Dermatology can provide all the answers to your laser hair removal questions and ensure it’s right for you, by scheduling an appointment. Our highly-experienced dermatologists will walk you through each step of the process in detail while answering any queries that arise during a consultation visit. Contact us now and reserve a time!
