Traditional hair removal techniques like shaving, waxing and creams can be both time consuming and costly over time. Laser hair removal provides a safe and permanent solution that provides permanent reduction.
Laser treatment isn’t covered by insurance, but your flexible spending account could provide assistance. Most patients need between six to eight treatments spaced four or six weeks apart for maximum results.
1. Laser hair removal removes hair follicles.
Laser hair removal works by targeting dark target materials, like melanin in skin or hair, and heating it without harming nearby skin cells. Once heated up, laser light destroys hair follicles to stop future hair growth from those areas; any new growth that does emerge after destruction tends to be finer, lighter and slower than its original growth but may remain for a short while; multiple sessions over several months may be required in order to achieve significant hair reduction according to plastic surgeon Jaimie DeRosa.
Preparing for laser hair removal treatments requires shaving the area being treated and forgoing products that could lighten skin, such as sunless tanning creams and bleaching creams. Furthermore, one should limit sun exposure and use broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher every day; in addition, any tattoo pigment may interfere with laser penetration of skin layers and consequently destruction of hair follicles.
Before beginning laser hair removal, individuals should visit a licensed dermatologist for an initial consultation. A dermatologist will review a person’s medical history, perform a health evaluation and make treatment recommendations. A dermatologist should also evaluate your skin color and type; people with darker skin might require multiple sessions as the laser has difficulty penetrating through and destroying hair follicles.
Once a person has undergone several laser hair removal treatments, he or she should anticipate some hair regrowth in the targeted area; however, any additional hair growth should be much reduced from its prior levels. Laser treatments also have the added advantage of helping reduce scars from previous surgeries or skin trauma, in addition to hair regrowth reduction.
Women struggling with unwanted hair growth could find relief through prescription birth control pills or Spironolactone, which help balance hormones and slow the regrowth process. Laser treatments in targeted areas have proven the most successful means for managing excessive hair growth; once or twice per year follow-up sessions may also prove effective in managing it effectively.
2. Laser hair removal destroys the hair follicles.
Laser hair removal works by dissolving dark pigment in hair follicles to inhibit new hair growth, making it one of the most permanent solutions to remove unwanted body hair. Furthermore, it reduces issues related to hair growth such as folliculitis and discoloration caused by ingrown hairs or razor burn. However, scarring caused by such treatments remains; for optimal results it is wise to use sunscreen after treatments to protect the skin.
Treatment is quick and painless, taking anywhere from minutes to an hour depending on the size of the area being treated. Patients may experience some slight irritation after treatment which usually dissipates within hours; additionally, using an ice pack on your skin post treatment may help reduce swelling or any associated discomfort.
Before undergoing laser hair removal, it is essential to refrain from plucking or waxing hair in the treatment area, as these methods remove pigment from hair follicles which makes laser treatment less effective. Furthermore, you should limit sun exposure prior and after your laser session.
Multiple treatments should be utilized in order to achieve maximum results, with most people needing between two and six sessions for desired results. After their final treatment session, many don’t see any hair grow back for months or even years; when it does come back it tends to be finer and lighter colored than before.
When choosing a medical professional for laser hair removal, it is essential to select one who is certified and has extensive experience. Furthermore, make sure they belong to a registry which certifies they meet specific standards of training and skill. Furthermore, visit a reputable MedSpa rather than unlicensed practitioners as the latter tends to be more costly.
Laser hair removal can help you say goodbye to unsightly strawberry legs and experience silky-smooth skin all year long. Plus, it saves time – no longer will you have to pack your razor for weekend getaways or spend hours shaving your legs each week!
3. Laser hair removal destroys the hair follicles.
Laser hair removal targets the pigment in your hair to permanently destroy its follicle and leave your area hair-free for good. Unlike electrolysis, which treats each individual hair follicle individually, the laser energy can treat multiple hair follicles in seconds compared to over an hour for individual treatments using electrolysis.
Laser treatments safely destroy hair follicles without harming surrounding skin, making it suitable for all body areas. When selecting a professional to perform laser treatment on you, be aware that any potential side effects could include skin sensitisation. Furthermore, tanning beds or tanning booths should not be used prior to laser treatment as this could make the procedure less effective or even lead to complications in its results.
Shaving or waxing legs is often an annoying chore that leaves razor burns, ingrown hairs, and uneven skin tones behind. That is why more women are turning to laser hair removal to get silky smooth legs without the burden of shaving or waxing daily routine.
Laser treatments for ingrown hairs can help prevent their formation by heating and damaging hair follicles to reduce future growth of unwanted hair follicles, and also to lessen scars caused by shaving/razor burns or to reduce their discoloration effects.
Permanent results often take multiple treatments to achieve, since hair follicles can vary in their stages of growth. In order to get lasting results, typically at least six laser hair removal treatments must be undergone with appointments scheduled four to eight week apart; it’s also a good idea to wear sunscreen after each visit to protect treated areas from sun damage.
Laser hair removal may be considered permanent hair reduction technique, however it’s still not an infallible solution for women with strawberry legs due to hormone fluctuations and medications affecting skin pigment. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with an OBGYN or gynecologist in women’s healthcare to see if hormone replacement therapy or Spironolactone can treat their condition.
4. Laser hair removal destroys the hair follicles.
Laser hair removal employs selective photothermolysis to eradicate unwanted follicles that produce excessive hair growth. When laser light heats the pigment or melanin present within hair follicles, damage to this structure ceases production of new hair while at the same time eliminating it completely. Furthermore, heat from laser causes surrounding tissue swell and close off so no new growth can penetrate through its openings.
Hair removal should be relatively painless when administered by a cosmetic dermatologist, who will use topical anesthetic to ease any discomfort during your session. Depending on your skin tone and laser strength, side effects could include hyper- or hypopigmentation, flaking, scab formation or irritation near hair follicles; these risks can be reduced if you follow their instructions to ensure maximum comfort during laser therapy treatment.
Additionally, after treatment you should try to stay out of direct sunlight for as long as possible and shave prior to each laser hair treatment session. Shaving removes dead skin layers that make laser treatments easier to target hair follicles; additionally using shaving gel containing glycolic or salicylic acid may prevent ingrown hairs after your treatments have concluded.
Laser treatments must be repeated over several sessions in order to effectively destroy hair follicles permanently, due to their natural growth cycle. Laser hair removal only affects follicles in active growth phase during one treatment session – targeting only these active follicles will not interfere with those resting or shedding phases.
After your initial series of sessions are completed, yearly touch-up visits may be necessary; however, once complete you will experience permanent results that save both time and money on razors, waxing, and depilatory creams.
Are you tired of packing razor blades on weekend getaways and spending hours shaving your legs while showering? Metro Dermatology of Elmhurst offers safe, effective laser hair removal treatments to cut back on hair growth while freeing up time for more important things – call now to book your consultation appointment!
