Laser treatments are most effective for hair removal when performed when hair is in its growing phase and has more melanin than ever.
Laser treatment may feel similar to being pinged by rubber bands against your skin, and can take minutes or up to an hour, depending on the size and scope of the area being treated.
How Long Does It Take?
Shaving, waxing and creams have long been used to achieve silky-smooth skin. Unfortunately, however, these methods can be time consuming and messy; laser hair removal provides a much quicker, easier solution for getting rid of unwanted body hair.
Laser hair removal requires that its treatments synchronize with the natural growth cycle of hair in order to be successful; hence multiple sessions must be undertaken for long-lasting results.
Each treatment session involves using a laser beam to apply heat directly onto the area where a hair follicle resides. This causes its structure to weaken or collapse, ultimately leading to its fallout and gradual reduction in hair growth in coming weeks and months as the transitional or resting phase takes place, instead of producing new strands like its anagen phase counterpart does.
Once hair follicles begin to regrow after laser hair removal treatments have completed, they will typically be much thinner and lighter in color than previously. Many clients report being completely hair-free for months or even years after finishing their treatment series; however it should be noted that hormonal fluctuations, such as pregnancy, may trigger new hair to reappear in areas that had already undergone laser hair removal treatments.
As such, it is imperative that you speak to your healthcare professional regarding the laser hair removal process in order to be better informed of what to expect. They should provide clear answers to all of your inquiries in a way that makes you comfortable about making this decision.
Laser hair removal typically takes several weeks to achieve maximum results for an average person. When treating larger areas such as bikini lines or pubic regions, however, up to six treatments may be needed to permanently reduce hair growth. Maintenance top-up treatments will then need to take place every 3-12 months in order to keep up with your new, sleek appearance.
What Happens During the Procedure?
Once the numbing agent has taken effect, your aesthetician will apply the laser machine. As light from the laser hits pigment cells containing hair follicles responsible for growth, heat generated is converted to damage the hair follicles so they no longer produce new hair, meaning unwanted hair growth is permanently eradicated.
Your skin may experience a brief but mild sensation as the laser emits pulses of light to treat it, similar to what many patients describe as feeling when being hit with rubber band snaps or stings, although each person will have their own sensation. Treatments typically last anywhere from minutes up to an hour, depending on the size and area being treated; you might notice smoke or burning hair odor due to heat of laser treatment vaporizing existing hair on its path through your pores.
Once the procedure is over, your skin may become red and swollen; this should resolve within 24 to 48 hours; otherwise if discomfort remains, use a cold compress on the area to alleviate pain and manage any swelling. Make sure not to expose it to sunlight directly either via natural or artificial means.
Six treatments may be necessary to effectively decrease hair growth; however, results might only become visible in the third or fourth session due to how laser therapy only targets active follicles – and dormant ones will eventually start producing hair again when their time comes in the hair growth cycle.
Laser hair removal is most suitable for individuals with thick, coarse and tightly attached dark or coarse hair that clings tightly to their skin. In these instances, shaving, waxing and tweezing routines will become unnecessary; in their place will be smoother skin with less chance of ingrown hairs.
People without any underlying condition that causes unwanted hair might consider laser removal to improve their self-image or save time on daily grooming routine. This could especially benefit women suffering from hirsutism – an abnormal condition in which men or women grow excessive hair in areas they usually do not.
What Happens After the Procedure?
After your laser process is finished, some redness and swelling in the area that was treated may occur. It should be minimal and can be alleviated by applying a cool compress to it. Direct sunlight should also be avoided as direct exposure could irritate skin further.
Within days after your treatment session, you should start seeing results. This is due to hairs that are currently in anagen phase being disabled by laser light and falling out over a seven to 30-day period; they won’t grow back – providing permanent reduction in unwanted hair growth.
Hair should be kept short but shorn before attending laser treatments as this creates an effective contrast against your skin color, helping the laser target the hairs instead of damaging or burning your skin underneath them. Shaving also helps ensure that laser rays only strike against hairs instead of hitting beneath them, potentially leading to burns or damage.
Though you may be tempted to skip some treatments, for optimal results it is crucial that you attend all scheduled sessions. Most men and women require six to eight sessions spread over four to eight weeks in order to achieve silky smooth skin. This will help achieve silky-smooth results.
Once your course of treatment has concluded, your practitioner will assess the area to make sure that the best possible results have been attained. Once they’re satisfied with this progress, maintenance treatments may begin – this usually entails returning for top-up sessions every three to 12 months, depending on your hair cycle.
As mentioned previously, it is possible for new hair growth in the future, although it should only increase during periods of hormonal shift, like pregnancy or menstruation periods. If new hairs start emerging, contact your provider as soon as possible so they can provide treatment quickly for long-term hair removal.
How Long After the Procedure Will I Need to Avoid Sunlight?
Before and after laser hair removal, it is advisable to avoid sunlight as much as possible as this could make skin extra-sensitive and cause blisters or burns. One effective way to do this is using high-quality broad spectrum sunscreen which should be reapplied every few hours as well as wearing loose fitting clothing when outside.
Many are confused about why it is necessary to limit sun exposure after having laser hair removal treatment, however it should be understood that skin will remain delicate for about two weeks post procedure; thus it is best to adhere to any instructions from your physician or therapist regarding sun protection.
Your skin must be safeguarded before receiving laser hair removal treatments because light beams used by laser treatments target pigmented hair follicles that contain pigment-based hairs. As these follicles absorb light and become damaged from exposure, shedding of the unwanted strands occurs resulting in further hair growth cycles shedding them naturally over time. In order to experience maximum effectiveness you will require two to six laser hair removal sessions for desired results.
If you want your results to last, the ideal time for aesthetic sessions should be during winter, when sun and heat don’t put as much strain on the skin’s health.
Laser hair removal should also be reserved for areas that are rarely exposed to sunlight, such as underarms and legs. This is because these parts typically don’t contain as thick skin compared to other parts of the body.
One thing to keep in mind when considering laser hair removal treatments is that they’re unlikely to work on very dark or white/gray hair, tattoos, moles or any other body marks because their light beams cannot target these. However, laser treatments could work perfectly if you have very light/dark hair with fair complexion and have very fair complexioned features – they should even work for moles!
