Most clients who undergo laser hair removal are delighted with its results; however, hyperpigmentation may occur in some instances. To reduce the likelihood of hyperpigmentation occurring during treatment sessions, only visit practitioners registered and highly skilled in providing laser treatments.
Clients should avoid tanning and excessive sunlight exposure before getting treatments, as doing so could make their treatments less effective or cause adverse side effects.
How Does It Work?
Laser hair removal uses a laser light beam to break down the pigment (color) in hair follicles, rendering them incapable of growing new hair. As the laser beam passes through skin layers, melanin in the follicle absorbs it and heats up as it absorbs it; this causes damage and destruction of its dermal papilla (the part responsible for growth).
Laser treatment works best on people with light complexions and dark hair, as its contrast makes it easier for the laser to target hair pigment and remove it without harming surrounding tissue. Although people with darker complexions can still receive laser treatments, more may be needed in order to reach satisfactory results than for those with lighter complexions.
Before beginning laser treatment, it’s essential that you limit sun exposure on the area you intend to treat and avoid using products with darkening effects as these could hinder laser treatment. Also avoid plucking, waxing and other hair removal methods in this area since these activities can alter pigment contrast that helps identify and destroy follicles with laser technology.
Laser hair removal requires wearing eye protection, as its laser beam can cause burns. A topical anesthetic can also be applied, though most patients don’t require one. Before administering topical anesthetic and firing the laser, technicians will clean out your area before applying anesthetic and firing off its intense beam of light, targeting only targeted hair follicles identified by various shades of brown pigmentation that correspond with active anagen hair growth cycles where melanin concentration is greatest – where anagen phase active hair growth cycles corresponds.
Laser treatment involves administering pulses from a laser beam that will emit short but intense pulses that produce either a tingling or warming sensation in the treated area. Your technician will determine how many and for how long each pulse should be delivered based on your unique skin tone, with most appointments concluding within an hour, depending on its size.
Preparing For Treatment
Laser hair removal can not only remove unwanted hair but also treat hyperpigmentation in those areas. The treatment works by blocking melanin production within hair follicles to impede their production of new hair growth while decreasing skin discoloration. Unfortunately, however, laser treatment will not completely eradicate any pigmentation issues; any remaining dark spots could return over time.
Before initiating any treatment, your medical specialist will first conduct a full health history review to make sure you’re eligible. They’ll clean the area, apply numbing cream as necessary and activate their laser, which then vaporizes hair follicles while producing small plumes of smoke with a sulfurous smell – depending on the size and scope of your area being treated this could take anywhere between minutes to an hour for completion.
During the procedure, you may experience a mild burning sensation and hair removal may occur; your medical specialist will monitor each session to make sure all areas have been addressed. You should avoid sun exposure after treatment as instructed.
Ideal candidates for laser hair removal include those with light skin (Skin Type I or II) and dark terminal hair, due to the difference in colors making it easier for the laser to target pigmentation and pull it out. People with lighter colors such as blonde, gray or white hair will not achieve similar results due to lack of laser targeting pigmentation. It is essential that practitioners have experience and meet set standards in training, skill and insurance – this will reduce risks of side effects; our medical specialists have years of experience using this treatment option.
During Treatment
Laser hair removal sessions use laser light that targets only the pigment of hair growth cells, not skin, to avoid hyperpigmentation and other negative outcomes. One primary motivation for seeking laser treatment in general is hyperpigmentation; targeting melanin in hair growth cells helps stop it. Hyperpigmentation is one of the reasons many seek laser therapy as an antidote.
Laser hair removal can also help to reduce hyperpigmentation in other ways, as well. It can assist with ingrown hairs that cause hyperpigmentation on dark skin tones; reduce stretch marks and keloid scars; as well as eliminate any blemishes due to conditions like psoriasis or other inflammation conditions that are visible on dark skin tones.
Prior to your laser treatment, it’s crucial to avoid sun exposure and apply sunscreen. Not only will this improve results, but it will also protect your skin from potential damages that might result from laser treatment.
Before your treatment begins, you should refrain from shaving, waxing, or plucking in the area where you intend to receive laser therapy. Shaving does not work on hair that is longer than a grain of rice while waxing and plucking will prevent laser from targeting its target follicle effectively. You should expect an experience similar to snapping rubber bands against your skin during treatment as hair follicles vaporize into vaporous form during this process.
As part of your laser treatment, it’s also essential that the practitioner has high levels of skill and training as well as being registered with an industry body. Finding someone qualified can substantially lower your risk for side effects like hyperpigmentation or burns.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation, commonly referred to as PIH, occurs after skin injuries like sunburns and laser treatments, often leaving behind patches of pigmented spots on your body that affect its appearance. While not usually serious in its effects, Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation can still be distressing and diminish your aesthetic – however Dr. Green has over 25 years of experience treating PIH and related pigmentation conditions at her boutique NYC practice with treatments including Cosmelan peels and skin lighteners available so she can restore normality back into your complexion.
Post-Treatment
If you are considering laser hair removal, it is crucial that you find a physician with experience treating skin types similar to your own. Avoid spas and salons which allow nonmedical personnel to conduct treatments; additionally ensure the doctor performing your procedure has extensive experience performing laser hair removal on various skin types.
Laser hair removal works best for people with light skin and dark hair as the contrast allows the laser to target hair follicles without harming surrounding tissue. It may still work on darker skin tones if an appropriate laser type is chosen and sun exposure limited after treatment to minimize dark spot formation.
Laser hair removal treatments offer the most effective means of treating pigmentation from laser hair removal: multiple sessions of laser treatments will gradually cause brown pigment to fade, leading to less overall discoloration of an area. Depending on its intensity, some spots can disappear completely within seven to fourteen days; otherwise results may take longer for deeper spots (as is often seen with Melasma).
Before laser treatment begins, shave the area of skin that will be treated in order to remove any extra hair. Goggles provide eye protection during laser sessions while cooling gel or air spray can add comfort. Most patients find the sensation of laser treatments mildly uncomfortable; however this varies with each individual patient – prescription numbing cream may help minimize pain during treatments.
Avoid any topical products with acids, exfoliants, or any other ingredients that could negatively impact your skin and cause negative side effects. To get optimal results, follow your aesthetician’s recommendations as to the number of laser treatments necessary for you to reach desired outcomes.
