Laser hair removal can be one of the most permanent solutions for eliminating unwanted body hair. Furthermore, this form of depilation reduces the need for other depilation methods like shaving, waxing and plucking.
During this procedure, your doctor will use a hand-held laser instrument to apply heat from the laser light onto your skin and destroy hair follicles to inhibit future hair growth.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser Hair Removal is one of the most frequently performed nonsurgical procedures in the US, employing laser light to target and destroy hair follicles responsible for unwanted growth. Unlike shaving or waxing which can be painful and cause ingrown hairs, laser treatment is fast and pain-free – taking less than one minute for smaller areas like upper lips to treat, up to one hour per larger regions.
Laser light is absorbed by dark pigment in hair follicles, converting it into heat that destroys and prevents further hair growth from that follicle. Unfortunately, not every follicle can be eliminated during one treatment session; hair growth continues elsewhere. As such, multiple sessions must occur over four to six weeks to be effective.
Before receiving laser treatment, the area to be addressed should be shaved. You should also avoid tanning or bleaching your skin for several days beforehand as laser is ineffective against darkly pigmented or tanned hair. Furthermore, waxing or plucking the area as these alternative hair removal methods could compromise its efficacy.
As part of your procedure, you may experience what some have described as rubber band snapping or sunburn-like stings from laser therapy. A sulfurous scent will emanate from the laser’s heat as the hair vaporizes from its heat; special goggles must also be worn to shield the eyes from laser light.
Once the treatment is complete, you may experience some redness or swelling in the affected area, but these should quickly subside with use of a cool compress for comfort. After treatment is complete, apply soothing lotion to soothe any discomfort, as well as avoid direct sunlight for several days or weeks following this course of action.
Your results should show a noticeable reduction in hairs after several laser treatments, although some will reappear, they will likely be finer and lighter in color than before. In order to maintain these results for years to come, regular laser touch up treatments may be needed in the form of touch up laser sessions.
How Long Does It Take?
People often ask themselves whether laser hair removal is permanent and how long the procedure will last. While results depend on an individual’s unique hair growth cycle, typically six to nine treatment sessions should be sufficient to stop hair from growing back altogether. Patients may experience some regrowth within several months but it will likely be finer and lighter than before.
Laser hair removal results may not be immediate, but will improve with each session. Your results also depend on your skin and hair colors; darker colors generally absorb more energy from laser beams; this makes laser less effective; however it should still prove an effective means for eliminating unwanted hair growth.
During a laser hair removal procedure, you’ll lie down while being given numbing gel to ease any discomfort. Next, the technician will pulse a laser beam onto your target area where heat from it destroys hair follicles that produce hair growth – this method works on all skin types although Dr. Maiman recommends it be performed on individuals with light to medium colored hair and fair complexions as ideal candidates for laser hair removal.
Shaving, waxing and plucking only remove visible hairs on your surface; they don’t disarm the hair-producing follicles that produce new hair growth in the future. Laser hair removal works by damaging these follicles so when they start producing new growth again they produce finer and lighter locks than before.
Laser hair removal usually feels similar to shaving for most people. You might experience several sharp, short stings similar to sunburn, with each lasting between one minute and an hour depending on the size of the area being treated. As hair follicles burn, an unpleasant sulfurous aroma may arise as hair follicles burn.
Your doctor will advise on the most effective ways to prepare for laser hair removal sessions. Avoid sun exposure and self-tanners before your appointment, and shave or wax the area prior to so that there will be enough hair for the laser to target. Avoid other methods of hair removal like plucking or waxing as well as taking medications which could cause bleeding.
How Much Does It Cost?
Laser hair removal may be more cost-effective than waxing or shaving, although costs will depend on your level of body hair growth and where you live.
As hair grows and sheds in cycles, multiple treatments may be required to achieve lasting results. When your anagen phase (growth phase) arrives, laser treatment can easily target active follicles; but most of the time your hair falls out in catagen or telogen phases and it becomes difficult to target all hair follicles effectively with one treatment; to ensure maximum effectiveness over 4-6 week intervals is the solution.
Each session takes only 10 minutes or less and there is minimal to no downtime afterward. Unlike other methods that may damage the surface of the skin, laser technology is safe and non-invasive, causing only mild discomfort in most cases; we provide topical anesthetic cream to ensure maximum comfort during treatment.
Preparing for laser hair removal can help ensure an effective experience and minimize potential side effects. We suggest shaving prior to your appointment in order to provide enough hair for the laser to target. Be wary of shaving too close to the surface or using electric razors which could damage skin surfaces; furthermore we advise refraining from sun exposure or tanning during treatment sessions.
Average laser hair removal sessions cost an average of $389; however, costs can differ based on factors like doctor, facility and location. Most health insurance plans don’t cover elective procedures like laser hair removal; however plastic surgeons frequently offer patient financing plans to make the process more affordable.
Laser hair removal offers permanent, long-term hair reduction at an economical maintenance rate. Once you complete your treatment regimen, no more money needs to be spent on shaving, waxing or other depilation methods! However, hormones may still trigger hair growth in certain areas; we advise scheduling periodic top up sessions every year or two for best results. To learn if laser hair removal is suitable for you contact us now for a consultation consultation session!
Will It Work For Me?
Laser Hair Removal is a noninvasive way of eliminating unwanted body hair without surgery or shaving. While generally safe for most, certain skin and hair types may respond better. Before scheduling laser hair removal treatment it’s important to fully understand its limitations so as not to waste your time or money.
An experienced technician can assist in selecting the appropriate laser for your needs. Most salon-use lasers use long pulsed light (LPL) technology, which uses concentrated light beams to destroy hair follicles while potentially damaging nearby skin, leading to side effects like redness and swelling for several hours after treatment. Therefore, many technicians administer numbing cream before using laser technology on any given area.
Laser hair removal sessions involve using light energy from a laser beam to target and destroy melanin pigment in hair follicles, stopping their ability to produce new hair growth. Darker-haired people absorb more pigment, making their follicles easier for laser treatments to target and destroy; this explains why treatments work best on those with light complexions who have dark locks.
Laser hair removal requires multiple sessions in order to achieve permanent results, due to hair’s natural growth and loss cycle. Treatments should be scheduled on an ongoing basis so as to catch all new-growth stages before they pass off into dormancy.
Your treatment schedule depends on your unique hair growth pattern and skin tone, with most people seeing at least a 20-25% reduction of hair after three to eight treatment sessions – although more sessions may be necessary to achieve desired results.
If you decide to go the laser hair removal route, be mindful to refrain from tweezing and waxing the treated areas; these practices interfere with the process and can speed up hair regrowth. Also be sure to apply broad spectrum SPF30 sunscreen every six weeks following laser hair removal treatments on areas treated.
Though laser hair removal may not be permanent, it remains one of the most effective means of slowing hair growth over time. Electrolysis and needle epilators may also provide long-term hair removal options.
