Laser hair removal is an efficient and safe solution for removing unwanted hair. This procedure works by vaporizing hair follicles to destroy their germ cells that produce it, effectively ridding you of unwanted strands.
However, hair follicles aren’t completely destroyed; some will grow back after treatment has concluded – often lighter and thinner than before.
Does Laser Hair Removal Damage the Hair Follicle?
Unwanted hair growth can be a common and time-consuming problem that is difficult to deal with with shaving, waxing and other methods of removal. Laser hair removal offers an effective solution that makes removing unwanted hair much simpler while decreasing maintenance requirements – giving you smoother skin and greater confidence! It is safe and proven effective.
Doctors typically use a hand-held laser instrument to administer laser treatments on targeted areas. A laser beam passes through the skin to tiny follicles where hair grows; its intense heat damages these follicles and inhibits future hair growth; you may feel warm pinpricks during treatment sessions. Depending on where exactly on your body it’s being done, multiple sessions may be needed before desired results can be realized.
The exact number of laser treatments necessary will depend on several factors, including hair color and coarseness, hormonal influences and where on your body they’re being performed. On average, four to six treatments will remove most unwanted hair; during initial sessions only hair follicles in their growth stage (anagen) will be affected. Once destroyed by laser beams they cannot produce more hair growth so over time your unwanted hair will gradually decrease in volume.
Regeneration of hair follicles generally takes place during a different stage in its cycle and grows more slowly than before. Over time, your regrown hair should become lighter in color and thinner texture; some unwanted hair might even shed.
Protect the area of your body that will receive laser hair removal by wearing sunscreen and avoiding tanning beds. Furthermore, any traditional methods like shaving, plucking or electrolysis must also be avoided for at least a month before beginning laser treatments – your physician will cleanse the area first and you should remove any products which could interfere with its effectiveness such as deodorants.
Before beginning laser treatments, it is advisable to shave or trim your hair so it has some length, as a longer length allows doctors to easily identify and target individual hair follicles. Furthermore, during this period you should refrain from using lotions, moisturizers or other skincare products that might damage the barrier layer of skin.
Does Laser Hair Removal Damage the Skin?
Laser hair removal works by emitting light energy that targets pigment found within hair follicles, heating it and disabling or destroying it. While there may be side effects from laser treatment when conducted by an experienced dermatologist, such as changes to skin coloration (darkening or lightening), blistering and scarring.
Laser hair removal works best on those with light complexions and dark hair, since this combination makes it easier for the laser to distinguish between hair and skin. Longer than usual hair can also help the laser focus more precisely on its target while limiting damage to other areas.
At your dermatologist appointment, he or she will apply a hand-held laser instrument directly onto your skin, with possibly cooling device or gel at its tip to minimize discomfort; any sensation should be less than pinprick-sized. Shaving before each session allows the laser beam to more accurately differentiate between hair and skin.
Once a laser destroys a hair follicle, it should never produce new hair growth again; however, due to difficulty in completely eliminating all follicles at once, some will regrow over time; usually however this new growth will be lighter and less noticeable than its original form.
Laser treatments are generally safe, and can deliver significant results with minimal risks. Their efficacy depends on factors like medications or nutritional status and can vary depending on an individual’s circumstances.
Laser hair removal treatments may last from several years to lifelong; however, most individuals will require regular maintenance sessions with their dermatologist to maintain results. They will usually advise how often treatment sessions need to occur, usually four or six weeks apart. Furthermore, it’s advisable that any sunbeams be avoided after laser sessions, while wearing high SPF sunscreen daily to help minimize recurrences of unwanted hair growth.
Does Laser Hair Removal Damage the Blood Supply?
Laser hair removal is a non-damaging way to safely get rid of unwanted hair. The light energy from a laser beam destroys the bulb of each hair follicle, thus stopping its ability to produce new hair follicles and prevent shedding periods for them to go back in. Follicles in active growth phases will have more blood flowing to them and will be affected by laser light while resting or shedding phases have very minimal blood circulation and do not.
Damage caused to hair follicles by laser hair removal prevents future growth, while signaling your body to begin shedding existing hairs. While you might not notice much change in the amount of surface hair after receiving laser treatments, any shed hair will likely be much thinner and lighter in color than before.
After their initial treatments are complete, most people require follow-up sessions every four to six weeks for maintenance treatments. The number of sessions necessary depends on factors like hair color, thickness and area as well as hormonal influences.
Treatment itself is usually quick and painless; your doctor will use a hand-held laser instrument against your skin while applying cooling devices or gel on its tip to minimize discomfort. Each pulse of laser light takes only fractions of a second to treat multiple hairs at once; depending on the size of the area being treated, smaller treatments such as those around the upper lip might take mere minutes while larger areas such as back may take an hour or more.
Laser treatments not only reduce unwanted hair but can also alleviate conditions like folliculitis, hyperpigmentation and ingrown hairs – eliminating painful waxing procedures or depilation altogether.
Does Laser Hair Removal Damage the Immune System?
Laser hair removal can effectively rid yourself of extra body hair. It replaces traditional methods, like depilation, waxing, shaving and creams which may irritate and lead to breakouts on your skin. Furthermore, laser treatment has also proven helpful at relieving symptoms associated with hair growth – like ingrown hairs and folliculitis as well as pigmentation issues in treated areas.
Choose a doctor with experience treating laser treatments tailored specifically to your skin type, and inquire about any pre-treatment care required – for instance, those suffering from herpes simplex and cold sores should take an antiviral medication several days prior to their appointment and avoid sun exposure; those using bleaching creams or glycolic acid products must discontinue use a few days before.
Before receiving laser treatments, technicians apply a topical numbing cream to the area being treated. Some people may experience slight discomfort during laser sessions. Redness or swelling may appear immediately post-treatments; therefore, it’s essential that patients follow doctor instructions for post-care in order to reduce side effects such as scarring or infection.
After treatment, your area may continue to shed hair for several weeks afterward as its hair follicles enter resting phase; however, any new growth usually forms finer and lighter-colored than original hairs. Most patients require between two and six laser sessions in order to see significant reduction of unwanted hair; additional touch-up treatments may be required annually.
If you’re interested in laser hair removal, make an initial consultation appointment with a dermatologist either in-person or by telephone. When selecting a physician for this process, ensure they possess board certification in dermatology or cosmetic surgery and possess experience treating skin types similar to your own. When looking at spas, salons or facilities which allow nonmedical staff members to provide these treatments.
