Laser hair removal is a popular treatment option among both men and women alike, though multiple sessions may be needed for optimal results.
Laser technology works to harm hair follicles while they’re in their active growth stage, which will halt any new hair from growing for months or even years.
This method offers longer-term solutions than shaving or waxing; however, due to hormonal fluctuations some maintenance treatments will still be required over time.
Treatment Time
Laser hair removal works by targeting pigment in the roots of hair follicles to produce heat that destroys them, thus stopping new hair growth from taking hold. The procedure works best on light brown to black hair.
As part of your treatment, you’ll sit comfortably while the laser emits energy pulses. Although you might feel a brief but slight stinging sensation upon reaching hair follicles, this sensation should quickly dissipate over time. Treatment usually lasts only minutes depending on the size of the area being treated – for instance treating upper lips may take less time while treating backs could take an hour or more.
Before any procedure, it’s crucial that your skin be returned to its natural shade. A tan will distort pigments, hindering laser technology from targeting hair follicles effectively. Also avoid any sunblock products or creams which darken your skin; waxing or plucking of any area before your session can negatively impact its effectiveness.
Shaving can be recommended before laser hair removal for some areas, as it removes surface hair that could hinder results. However, shaving isn’t necessarily advised the day of or immediately following your session due to potential disruption of follicles that cause thicker regrowth of hair follicles resulting in more rapid hair growth back again.
Most people require multiple laser sessions in order to achieve maximum hair reduction, due to how hair follicles cycle between an active, growth phase and resting, non-growing state; only those in an active growth phase will be targeted by the laser; therefore it’s crucial that sessions are scheduled accordingly.
Ideal, sessions should occur every four to eight weeks to give your follicles time to cycle between phases and to be targeted by the laser again.
Your laser treatments will also be more successful if you avoid direct sunlight and use broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen after each laser session. Furthermore, avoid tanning beds since their heat can damage skin further.
Preparation
Before embarking on your laser hair removal session, it is necessary to take a shower and wash away all products on the skin such as moisturizers, deodorant, sunless tanning products, perfumes or any other cosmetic or medical items that could interfere with its ability to target hair follicles effectively.
Before beginning laser treatments in any area, it is recommended to wait at least four weeks between waxing or plucking hair as this allows the laser to target its source more effectively. Shaving is safe and encouraged – continue this practice after laser treatment too for optimal results!
At your laser hair removal appointment, you’ll be given goggles and provided with a numbing cream to reduce discomfort. While you may feel some heat or stinging sensations during this procedure, most people find the experience more uncomfortable than painful. Within several minutes of being exposed to laser light, your area may redden and swell; this is normal and will gradually subside over time.
As soon as the initial redness and swelling have subsided, results from your laser hair removal session should become evident. Multiple (8-16 depending on your area and skin tone) sessions must be scheduled appropriately in order to completely reduce all unwanted hair.
If you’re considering laser hair removal as an option for unwanted hair removal, make sure you find an experienced practitioner with proper certifications and licensures. This will ensure the best possible results and an enjoyable experience. Generally, reputable clinics will require a consultation session prior to beginning treatments; this allows you to ask any questions and allow the practitioner to provide any information relevant to determining if laser hair removal suits you or not.
Are you ready to rid yourself of unwanted hair? Reach out to Spring Street Dermatology in New York City and arrange a laser hair removal consultation with Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified dermatologist who can create an individualized laser hair removal plan tailored specifically to your individual needs and aesthetic goals.
Discomfort
Pain levels associated with laser hair removal treatments typically range from minor to moderate; individual reactions will differ. While treatments may cause some temporary discomfort in more sensitive areas, this usually subsides within minutes or so and many patients find relief by applying topical numbing agents before their session begins.
Other than minor discomfort, laser hair removal’s only side effect is redness that may develop after treatment – most commonly experienced on the face or neck but sometimes felt on legs or arms too. Usually this subsides within hours.
Prior to laser hair removal treatments, shaving is crucial as lasers cannot detect hair follicles without visible nubbins. However, shaving too close to an appointment could cause irritation and make targeting the follicle harder for lasers. Furthermore, tanning should be avoided and sunscreen used in the weeks leading up to your appointment for best results.
Laser hair removal differs from other hair removal techniques in that it targets hair follicles underlying the skin to disable. As such, it can effectively treat both light and dark skin tones – although in the past only lighter tones could be treated because darker skin could absorb too much heat from lasers, leading to either hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation; today however, more advanced lasers can effectively treat dark skin tones without creating unwanted side effects.
Most people require multiple laser hair removal treatments in order to see significant results, due to hair growth’s cyclical nature and laser treatment’s targeting only of active-growing follicles. As you continue receiving treatments, the number of active growing follicles will diminish gradually leaving permanent hair reduction; although hair will eventually come back but lighter in texture.
Recovery
Laser hair removal works by targeting pigment at the root of hair follicles and producing heat to destroy it, making it suitable for people of a wide variety of skin tones and effective in most instances. Multiple sessions may be needed if one has darker skin tones.
Before your treatment begins, we will cleanse and numb any area of the body you wish to treat. Shaving directly before your laser session should be avoided, as it prevents it from reaching hair follicles; we advise shaving either the day prior or as directed by your physician instead. Sun exposure and tanning should be avoided two weeks prior to starting laser treatment as well as antibiotics/retinoids being stopped two weeks before having their session.
Immediate after your treatment, use cold compresses on the treated area to help reduce swelling and pain. Your doctor may suggest applying an ointment or soothing gel that soothes and keeps the area moist; avoid squeezing or rubbing as this could cause skin irritation; return to regular activity the day after, yet wait at least 48 hours before swimming or sunbathing with treated area exposed.
Follow-up treatments may require as frequently as once every week or as seldom as twice annually depending on factors like the area being treated, your skin tone and tolerance levels, as well as hormone fluctuations.
After your series of laser hair removal sessions are complete, the area(s) targeted should be virtually hairfree. However, please bear in mind that hair growth occurs in cycles and new growth may appear even after concluding your treatment course with laser treatment.
That is why having a maintenance plan in place is critical for long-term results. To maintain your desired outcome, we advise scheduling appointments every four to six weeks.
