Does Laser Hair Removal Kill the Follicle?

Brian Lett
By Brian Lett
11 Min Read

Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular procedure used to rid yourself of unwanted facial and body hair. It works particularly well on those with dark hair and light skin as pigment molecules in their locks absorb laser energy more effectively than on others.

Folliculitis, which causes sore, red bumps that contain pus, may also be treated using this treatment option. Folliculitis may have different causes depending on each individual case and should always be managed aggressively to ensure its prevention.

Does it hurt?

Laser hair removal may not be as painful as other methods such as razors, hot waxing or electrolysis; however, some individuals still may experience discomfort during the procedure. Many technicians use topical anesthetic prior to starting; it is also recommended that staying hydrated prior to your session as this can help lessen discomfort during treatment.

Your practitioner will use a hand-held instrument to press against your skin, with different types of lasers offering cooling devices or gel to lessen heat from the laser and protect your skin from heat-induced effects. After activating and targeting it directly at your hair follicles, your practitioner will direct its heat directly at these spots where growth stops occurring through damaged follicles, effectively stopping hair growth altogether.

After receiving treatment, your skin may appear red or irritated in the treated area and/or may tingle or feel tender; these symptoms should only last briefly and shouldn’t last too long. Although rare, some individuals may even experience an allergic reaction to numbing cream; but that scenario would require medical intervention in such instances.

Hair colors also influence how much pain is experienced during laser hair removal treatments. Darker locks absorb light from the laser more efficiently, so each session of treatment becomes easier to destroy the follicle. Lighter hues like white, strawberry blond, or red can take more sessions to completely eradicate their follicle.

Does it burn?

Laser hair removal burns can be quite uncomfortable but typically don’t last too long. They often feel hot and sore, similar to what it would feel like after sunbathing; skin may even be tender to touch. Therefore, it is crucial that you conduct research to locate an experienced laser technician with proper certification – one who meets set standards in training, skill, and insurance coverage – who will assist in managing any potential discomfort associated with laser treatment.

Treatment typically involves holding a handheld device against the skin and firing a pulse of light onto it. Melanin in your hair and skin follicles absorbs this light, converting it to heat which damages follicle compartments and stops hair growth; but in order for this treatment to work effectively, larger amounts of melanin need to be present, leading darker, thicker hairs to respond better than lighter ones.

After your session, it’s normal for your body to start shedding dead hairs over a seven to 30-day period, while you might notice bumps forming where you had treatment – these are not signs of hair regrowth but rather signs that the dead cells need pushing out by your body. Picking at these spots could damage skin cells and lead to infections; refrain from picking at them!

After several treatments, you should see permanent results; however, it’s important to remember that hair may grow back at any time due to hormonal factors and prescription medication use. Therefore, to guarantee permanent hair removal results it’s advisable to continue sessions on an ongoing basis.

Does it hurt for a long time?

Laser hair removal is an efficient and safe way to get rid of unwanted body hair, helping with skin problems related to hair growth such as folliculitis and discoloration. Furthermore, this procedure reduces shaving, waxing and plucking which may irritate skin conditions; plus it may cost less than other means like electrolysis and depilation.

However, it is important to remember that laser treatments may cause side effects like redness, swelling and irritation that may require medications for their relief – although these side effects should usually be mild and relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medicines. Therefore, it’s vitally important that patients follow all pre and post treatment instructions given by their dermatologist in order to minimize discomfort and get maximum benefit from treatment.

Laser hair removal causes pain due to heat from the laser being absorbed by your hair follicles. The intensity of this heat depends on both color and thickness of hair; darker hues absorb laser energy more readily than lighter shades, making destruction of follicles simpler.

Lasers only affect hair follicles in their anagen (growth) phase; those in catagen or telogen (resting) stages do not respond to laser treatment and could take as much as a year for any destroyed hair to reenter its anagen phase after being destroyed by laser treatment.

Does it hurt for a short time?

Laser hair removal is generally painless. Patients typically describe it as feeling like little pinches or snaps of rubber bands against their skin, which most find tolerable. Patients with higher tolerance to pain may not require topical anesthetic beforehand. But those with lower thresholds might require it and should try drinking plenty of water beforehand to lower pain levels during their treatments and make them more effective.

Laser hair removal involves absorbing light energy in pulses to deliver heat energy directly to your hair follicles and damaging its compartment that produces new hair growth, stopping further hair growth from taking place and eventually dissolving them altogether. This process may be repeated multiple times until all new hair-producing follicles have been destroyed.

Laser hair removal often leaves people noticing lighter or thinner hair after treatment. This is likely due to anagen hairs resting during their cycle and not growing back as quickly or densely as before; eventually they’ll come back, but much lighter and less noticeable than before.

Some individuals may experience redness or swelling after having laser hair removal sessions, which is generally temporary and can be treated by applying an ice pack to the affected area. Furthermore, you should avoid direct sunlight after your session as well as tanning beds to reduce risk.

Does it hurt for a long time again?

Laser hair removal is generally an uncomplicated and less-painful option compared to shaving, hot waxing and bleaching; its results tend to be superior as well. Your discomfort level may vary depending on which area is being treated as well as your skin tone.

People with darker skin might notice laser hair removal more intensely, and its pain may be particularly felt on areas with thinner skin such as face and armpits; however, over time your tolerance should increase significantly.

Normal side effects of hair transplant surgery typically include slight pink skin discoloration and temporary swelling around the treatment area – known as follicular edema – typically lasting two or three days. You might also experience temporary itching within this treatment area; this side effect should dissipate after two or three days.

Prior to your laser hair removal session, it is recommended that you wait four or five days between using other forms of hair removal like shaving, tweezing or waxing on an area and laser hair removal. Furthermore, sunscreen should be applied liberally over any body parts exposed to sunlight that have undergone laser hair removal treatment.

Laser hair removal typically requires multiple treatment sessions to become effective, with touch-up sessions necessary after that. Consult with your dermatologist about what would work best for you based on their personal assessment of your individual needs and expectations.

Does it hurt for a long time after?

Laser hair removal is a safe, quick, and noninvasive solution to permanently reduce unwanted facial or body hair. Unlike waxing, shaving or threading, lasers use heat energy to heat and destroy the root of hair follicles so they no longer produce new strands of hair growth. Treatment times typically take minutes for small areas while larger treatments could last over an hour or more; your dermatologist may apply topical pain-relief gel before commencing for added comfort during treatment.

Laser treatments work well for dark hair colors on light skin tones, since their pigment contrast allows them to target melanin in hair follicles with ease and destroy it without harming surrounding tissues. While some hair may temporarily change color during treatment, its effects will gradually wear off within days or so.

Before your treatment session, it is crucial that the hairs are in their anagen phase so that laser can kill them effectively. You may still notice new growth after laser sessions have concluded; however, it will likely be lighter and finer.

Keep a regular schedule for treatment sessions to prevent hair follicles from entering their dormant stage and becoming hidden beneath the skin. Achieve 90% reduction requires six treatments at monthly intervals with annual touch ups to prevent unwanted hair from returning.

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