Laser hair removal heats pigment and damages follicles to inhibit future hair growth. Unfortunately, however, it’s not a permanent solution; you will likely need follow-up sessions every few months or even years for continued results.
Your skin color, hair color and hormonal influences all play an integral part in determining how a laser treatment will turn out. In order to have optimal results from laser therapy treatment, sunless skin creams as well as traditional hair removal methods such as shaving, plucking or waxing must be avoided for at least several weeks prior to treatment.
1. It’s a Permanent Solution
Laser hair removal destroys hair follicles, stopping them from producing new growth. But it is important to keep in mind that our bodies still follow natural cycles; thus it may take several months after their last laser session for hair follicles that had been damaged to regrow, necessitating multiple treatments and subsequent maintenance sessions for results that last.
To maximize the effectiveness of laser hair removal treatments, it’s essential that you follow all instructions given by your physician prior and following each session. This may involve forgoing shaving, plucking and waxing as well as other hair-removal methods in the area being treated; as well as forgoing lotions, deodorants or cosmetic products that could impact how well they react to laser treatment.
Your results from laser hair removal treatments typically take 2-8 weeks to become noticeable due to how lasers only target hair follicles that have reached anagen phase; not all follicles will be immediately affected. Once visible effects become evident however, they’ll lead to significant reductions of unwanted hair.
The laser used for your treatment will have an important impact on how effective it will be. Most doctors will suggest selecting one with a large spot size to quickly cover large areas of skin quickly. Furthermore, fluence of laser light plays a significant role in how successful your treatment will be.
Hormonal changes may affect how effectively laser hair removal treatments work for you, so be prepared for some unexpected regrowth during pregnancy, menstruation or perimenopause – although hair tends to return lighter and finer than before! For optimal results it is wise to visit a practitioner certified in laser hair removal.
2. It’s Safe
Laser treatment for hair removal stands out as one of the safest options available today, heating pigment in hair follicles to destroy them, stopping further growth. As such, most people experience no side effects after going through laser hair removal, which also makes it less painful than waxing treatments like those available through salons or dermatologists.
Laser hair removal requires some careful consideration when considering it, however. You’ll want to ensure you aren’t using skincare products which could act as barriers between your skin and the laser beam – such as lotions, deodorant or sunscreen – and your laser. Limit these items’ usage during the weeks leading up to your appointment and when outside use broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen to stay safe.
Laser hair removal should be seen as a temporary solution; it may take six treatments to effectively destroy all hair follicles in an area. Although some regrowth is inevitable, oftentimes its density and lightness decrease significantly over time.
Keep in mind that laser hair removal might not work for everyone. In particular, people with light colored or blonde/reddish hair might find themselves drawn towards and damaged by the laser light; pregnant women and other hormonal changes during gestation could impede its effectiveness at targeting and eliminating hair follicles effectively with laser treatment.
Although there may be minor concerns surrounding laser hair removal, most experienced practitioners consider the procedure completely safe. As long as patients take certain precautions and avoid tanning beds and other sources of UV rays such as tanning beds, their results should be highly satisfying; lasting scarring should generally only occur temporarily.
3. It’s Effective
Laser hair removal can be highly effective at eliminating unwanted hair. While it doesn’t permanently eliminate all hair (that only electrolysis can achieve), laser treatment significantly reduces it, and many patients won’t see any regrowth for months or even years; when new growth does return, it typically grows finer and lighter in color than before.
Laser hair removal works best when your skin and hair are in optimal conditions. Your doctor will instruct you that, prior to beginning laser treatment, it’s best to refrain from shaving, waxing or plucking in order to maximize effectiveness of this procedure. Your location and thickness of hair also impact how effectively the laser can remove them.
At each treatment session, the Elite iQ’s laser light targets pigmented hair follicles to target pigment and generate energy to damage them and prevent further production of hair – often leading to significant hair growth reduction after just six treatments! In many instances, patients report seeing significant hair reduction.
However, the number of sessions will depend on you as not every hair grows at an equal pace; some follicles might be in various stages at any one time; for instance some could be anagen while others in catagen or telogen phase.
The number of treatments required depends on many factors, including the color and thickness of your hair, where you’re treating, the type of laser used and its intensity setting. On average, however, most people require anywhere between 2-6 treatments before seeing significant reduction in hair.
Laser hair removal can last indefinitely or nearly so, provided you follow your dermatologist’s instructions before and after each treatment session. But the only surefire way to know whether it will work for you is by scheduling a consultation and seeing for yourself!
4. It’s Affordable
Laser hair removal might seem unnecessary for those with light skin or fine hair, but in reality it can be quite cost-effective in the long run. One full treatment cycle could even cost less than what you spend annually on shaving, waxing and plucking!
Before scheduling any sessions, it’s essential that you schedule a consultation appointment in order to gain a better idea of your results and whether this procedure is right for you. Your laser technician can also advise which laser type would work best with your skin tone and hair color.
Before your initial laser session, be sure to allow some natural hair on the area being treated to grow longer – this is essential because laser treatments target pigmented cells only during their anagen phase, so short or too dark hair follicles cannot be targeted effectively by laser. Also be mindful of sunbathing or tanning beds within 6 weeks prior to your first appointment as these may hinder targeting results.
As the laser works to destroy hair follicles, you may experience a slight stinging sensation as it works to dismantle them. Numbing cream may help make this process more comfortable; swelling, redness and discomfort are among its most frequently reported side effects; all will subside after several days.
Laser hair removal usually requires between 2-6 treatments before it shows significant results, depending on factors like skin and hair coloring, thickness of hair growth and area being treated. Touch-up sessions may be necessary every year or more frequently if regrowth appears between sessions; annual appointments may not always be necessary if this doesn’t happen though.
Laser treatments will permanently destroy hair follicles that were destroyed, making this treatment permanent. However, it’s possible for some hair regrowth, particularly as you enter perimenopause and menopause; should this occur, it will typically grow back with finer and lighter texture and density than it had been prior.
