If you’re sick and tired of shaving, waxing, or other hair removal methods that require frequent upkeep such as laser hair removal treatments, laser may offer the solution you’ve been seeking – but will it actually reduce hair thickness?
Laser hair removal destroys the pigment of an unwanted hair follicle, stopping it from producing more. Results typically take 4 – 6 treatments to achieve optimal results; any new growth that appears after treatment sessions tends to be thinner and lighter in color.
What are the benefits of laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal has proven itself an effective and non-invasive solution to reduce unwanted body hair. Not only is it safe and noninvasive, but its results last much longer than shaving, waxing or plucking with lasting results usually seen after four to six treatments.
Laser treatment may help alleviate ingrown hairs left after shaving or waxing, by targeting hair that grows back inward into the skin and stopping its ingrowth again. Furthermore, this may result in thinner and softer growth in its place.
Laser hair removal may also help reduce body odor. This occurs because lasers target and destroy follicles that produce bacteria responsible for creating bad smells – often leading to complete elimination.
One potential downside of laser hair removal is its potential to actually promote new hair growth – known as paradoxical hypertrichosis. While only rarely reported, paradoxical hypertrichosis tends to appear most frequently on women with Mediterranean, Middle Eastern or South Asian heritage as well as having polycystic ovary syndrome or chronic hair loss.
Most people find that any hair that does return after laser treatments is lighter and thinner. However, additional laser sessions may still be necessary in order to reach their hair reduction goal.
As soon as you feel laser treatment may be beneficial to you, the best way to know for certain is to consult with a licensed and experienced technician. They can help tailor a treatment plan tailored specifically for your skin color, hair texture and hormones that drive unwanted hair growth.
Laser hair removal does not leave your skin discolored like other methods such as shaving or waxing can. This is due to laser therapy’s light being attracted to melanin pigment found within hair follicles absorbing heat generated from laser therapy and protecting surrounding tissue from damage.
How do laser hair removal treatments work?
Laser hair removal uses high-heat laser beams to target and damage hair follicles beneath the skin, which produce new hair strands; when damaged, this process slows or ceases altogether. Shaving, waxing and tweezing remove surface-level hair but don’t directly target these follicles.
Laser beams are attracted to pigment found in hair strands, enabling it to accurately target and destroy only hair follicles without harming surrounding skin. When lasers hit melanin-rich follicles, they heat up and damage melanin molecules causing it to stop producing new growth follicles; once damaged follicles resume growth cycles as catagen or telogen phases pass; however when new hair grows back out it may be finer and lighter in color than previously.
In general, multiple treatments will be necessary to reach your desired results. Each session typically lasts around half an hour; however, the exact number may differ. You may experience redness and swelling for several hours following your session; to mitigate this discomfort you can apply a cold compress over the treated area or take anti-inflammatory painkillers if necessary.
Most often, laser treatments for unwanted hair reduction will last months or years and result in finer and lighter-colored regrowth over time. To maintain results long term, however, additional maintenance sessions may be needed periodically.
Prior to laser treatments, it’s essential that you avoid tanning as this will diminish their efficacy. Shave and shave only areas to be treated; waxing, tweezing and plucking hair from areas being treated may hinder their efficacy as these could hinder results from your treatments.
Ideal candidates for laser hair removal include those with light skin tones and dark hair; their contrast allows the laser beam to more efficiently target follicles. If you are interested in exploring laser hair removal as an option for yourself, speak to your physician to determine which options would work best.
What are the risks of laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is generally safe when performed by an experienced dermatologist. Although some individuals may experience temporary side effects such as reddening or swelling of their skin or burning sensations during treatment, it’s essential that all pre and post care instructions provided by your practitioner are carefully adhered to for maximum success.
Doctors typically use hand-held laser instruments on patients to use heat energy to destroy hair follicles and bulbs, leading to discomfort but no pain during this procedure. A cooling gel may be applied beforehand for added comfort during laser hair removal sessions. It is important that patients avoid sun exposure after laser hair removal as their skin may become red and swollen afterwards.
Consult a dermatologist if you experience severe side effects following laser hair removal, such as pigment changes (skin darkening or lightening), cold sore outbreaks, blistering and scarring. These side effects could occur if the laser was misused improperly, or if you suffer from conditions like keloid scarring or psoriasis that affect its use.
Laser hair removal is most often used on legs, armpits, neck, and face; however it can be applied to any unwanted body hairs. Multiple sessions may be required to achieve full removal; additionally maintenance sessions might be needed to keep any new ones from growing back in.
Laser hair removal does allow some hair regrowth, though it will likely be less noticeable and finer than before. A variety of factors may determine if and when this happens; including the type of hair you have and length of time since your last treatment. It is also wise to wait at least six weeks after starting blood thinners for laser treatments as they could decrease effectiveness; additionally avoid direct sunlight until all treatment areas have healed fully.
How long do laser hair removal treatments last?
Laser hair removal should not be seen as permanent solution, but one of the best means of slowing the rate at which new hairs appear over time. Patients often report no regrowth at all while others see finer and less noticeable hair regrow.
If hair does return after laser therapy, it’s important to remember that its follicles will not be destroyed; instead they may become damaged enough to inhibit future growth – therefore keeping up with maintenance sessions is vital for keeping hair free!
During treatment, a highly concentrated light beam will be pulsed into each of your hair follicles to absorb melanin in your locks and heat it up, which prevents further hair production by hair follicles, leading to their demise and ultimately hair fall out or stop growing altogether. However, multiple treatments may be required as some hair will remain in growth phase after treatments have taken place.
Preparing for laser treatments requires that you forgo plucking and waxing the area to maximize their efficacy, as these activities could potentially obstruct its effects. Furthermore, tanning beds and using skin darkening creams six weeks before receiving treatments is recommended as it could decrease their impact.
Before scheduling your treatment, be sure to inform your therapist of any medications or supplements you’re currently taking, in order to ensure they won’t interact with the laser and that it will be safe for you to undergo the procedure. It is also advisable to minimize sun exposure as prolonged sun exposure increases sensitivity and increases chances of irritation.
Laser hair removal is not covered by insurance; however, many spas provide packages and flexible payment plans. Your flexible spending account could also cover these costs; if laser hair removal is an appropriate investment in both your health and self-esteem.
