Laser hair removal is a safe and effective solution for removing unwanted hair. The procedure works by targeting pigment found within hair follicles to heat them and disable their ability to produce new growth of hair again.
Before receiving laser treatments, it is recommended to avoid both natural and artificial sunlight. Furthermore, it’s also wise to refrain from shaving, tweezing, or plucking any areas undergoing the procedure in the weeks prior to your appointment.
How Does It Work?
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective method for eliminating unwanted facial or body hair. A laser beam passes over your skin, passing safely over surface areas while targeting pigment (the color of hair). When the light hits pigment in hair follicles it absorbs, producing heat that damages them permanently while stopping further hair growth from this follicle. The process repeats until all follicles in treatment area have been permanently damaged; though some hair may regrow later they typically grow finer and lighter in color than before resulting in significantly less overall body or facial hair overall than before.
Men, women and trans women of all ages can benefit from laser hair removal treatments, with best results being seen when used on dark hair with light skin pigment contrast. This allows the laser to safely target hair follicles without harming surrounding tissue – commonly done on arms, legs and bikini areas, however back, face, neck areas also commonly require treatments.
Treatment is quick and relatively pain-free when using numbing cream beforehand; however, you may experience greater discomfort in certain parts of your body than others depending on their location and your individual tolerance for pain.
Laser hair removal requires multiple sessions in order to achieve desired results, due to hair growth occurring in cycles and laser treatment targeting hair follicles in their anagen phase of growth – where new hair is being generated – is needed for maximum success. If treating an area like legs with rapid hair growth such as legs, regular treatments might be required every four-eight weeks in order to be fully successful.
How Long Does It Take?
Laser treatments typically last between 15-30 minutes per session depending on the size and shape of the area being treated. A larger area like legs may take longer to treat than smaller spots like the chin or underarms. Usually, laser sessions last approximately 15-30 minutes.
Laser hair removal involves using a handheld device with laser light emitting from it over the skin surface, targeting pigment in hair follicles to damage them so that new hair growth is no longer possible. This process is usually quick and pain-free; however, some people experience a slight burning sensation similar to rubber band snapping or sunburn sting.
Most people need two to six laser hair removal sessions before seeing results from this form of treatment, due to how it only targets actively growing follicles and does not affect resting ones which could eventually regrow again.
As a result, most patients won’t notice any hair growth for several months or years after treatment, though when it does reappear it usually comes back finer and lighter in color than before.
Preparing for laser hair removal requires clients to forgo tanning or using sunless tanners in the weeks preceding their appointment, in addition to forgoing plucking or waxing treatment areas, plucking or waxing of other types, or taking medications that increase bleeding (like aspirin).
Before beginning laser hair removal treatments, it is recommended that individuals shave. This allows their follicles to better absorb laser energy as it penetrates beneath the skin surface.
What Are the Side Effects?
Results may vary between people, but most will notice a reduction in hair growth after an initial series of treatments. Moses cautions that some regrowth is possible and to stay up-to-date with regular appointments while using high SPF sunscreen to combat it.
Anyone with darker skin tones should also be mindful that laser treatment performed improperly can lead to side effects, including burns and blisters, including burns. This happens because melanin in skin and hair absorbs higher energy levels from laser beams that absorb them too intensely, leading them to burn or blister the affected area. These symptoms are more likely to appear after tanning or waxing sessions because this allows laser light to reach areas it shouldn’t.
If a laser treatment user develops any adverse symptoms, they should contact their practitioner as soon as possible for advice on managing these side effects and, if needed, be referred to either their primary doctor or emergency department immediately if any more severe reactions arise.
Common side effects associated with laser treatment include red and swollen skin immediately post treatment due to laser’s heat source. To manage this side effect effectively, cold compresses may help as can avoiding natural and artificial sunlight in the affected area.
People with very dark hair are more prone to hair loss, requiring additional treatments as the laser may not be as successful in targeting melanin in their locks. Still, most who undergo laser hair removal experience positive results and would recommend it to others.
How Often Do I Need to Have Treatments?
People suffering from recurrent body hair growth in areas like their underarms, bikini line, and legs often seek long-term solutions that do not involve shaving, plucking or waxing as temporary epilation methods. Laser hair removal provides an effective way of permanently eliminating unwanted body hair; its process is quick, painless and easily managed for most patients.
Contrary to traditional hair removal methods, laser treatments target pigment in hair follicles to destroy them permanently while the cooling technology in a laser device protects your skin from any heat produced during treatment.
Although a single treatment may be effective, most patients require multiple sessions for best results. The number of treatment sessions will depend on each person’s hair growth cycle – with the goal being to damage all anagen phase hair follicles while leaving catagen and telogen phases alone (where hair moves into resting stage).
Preparing for your appointment involves restricting all forms of hair removal except shaving for six weeks prior. Also, sun exposure must be limited and a sunscreen with SPF 30+ should always be worn when outdoors.
Laser hair removal is an FDA-approved, safe and effective treatment when conducted by a licensed medical aesthetician under the supervision of a board certified physician. Therefore, spas, salons or any facilities which allow nonmedical personnel to conduct laser hair removal treatments should be avoided; as these locations could use lasers that do not match up with your specific skin type and hair color requirements; potentially leading to burns or changes in pigmentation issues for you.
Can I Get Laser Hair Removal at Noom?
Laser hair removal can be an ideal choice for those tired of shaving, waxing or plucking unwanted body hair. It’s quick and relatively pain-free; no downtime necessary; less expensive than other methods of hair removal; can save time since no need to shave or wax your body after each treatment; plus your skin will look smoother and feel more comfortable as each session goes by.
Laser light works by targeting pigment in hair follicles and damaging them, which then prevents further growth. While it can be effective across a range of skin tones and types, its most successful application lies when there is a striking contrast between your hair color and skin tone – meaning it does not work well on blonde, red, gray hairs or those who have recently undergone tanning sessions.
Before your treatment begins, it is recommended that you do not shave, wax or pluck the area as this could cause the laser to miss targeting the hair follicle and therefore less effective. Also important is limiting sun exposure prior to and following your session due to increased risks of hyperpigmentation side effects.
As part of your treatments, you may experience minor discomfort; a topic anesthetic may be applied as needed; most patients however don’t find they require one. Your treatment schedule will be established during your initial consultation; for optimal results it is recommended that sessions occur every four weeks.
Be wary when choosing a practitioner for laser hair removal: be sure they are licensed and insured, check their credentials online, and see if they have registered on any register that indicates they have undergone training and meet specific standards.
