Each laser hair removal treatment varies in terms of duration depending on the area being treated; treating small areas like an upper lip might take only minutes while larger regions like a back can take an hour or more to treat.
Before each session, it is important to thoroughly cleanse and apply numbing gel as necessary. Furthermore, tanning should be avoided between treatments by applying broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen.
Treatment Time
Dependent upon the area being treated, laser hair removal treatments can take anywhere from several minutes to over an hour. Before your treatment begins, a medical specialist will clean and apply numbing gel in order to reduce discomfort during laser hair removal treatments. Next, they focus a beam of high-energy light at your treatment area – you may feel short stings as the light travels down its beam and focus it at its target; in other cases you might smell smoke or feel heat from it as well. Multiple sessions will likely be needed in order to permanently disable hair follicles so it’s best if you choose an experienced practitioner with proven track records in terms of expertise as this will ensure optimal results!
Your laser treatment may cause minor side effects, including temporary skin rashes or pinkness; these should disappear within two or three days and should contact either your laser provider or GP with any concerns that do not resolve themselves.
Laser hair removal treatments work best during the fall and winter when your natural hair cycle has transitioned into its anagen phase – this allows for slower-growing follicles that are easier to target with laser treatments.
Certain areas of the body grow hair more rapidly than others, including the face and neck. Since their hair follicles are hormonally active, more treatment sessions than elsewhere may be required for facial and neck hair growth.
Before laser hair removal, it is recommended to limit waxing, plucking and shaving as these methods may damage hair follicles and cause pigmentation issues after treatment. In addition, sun exposure and tanning should also be limited as it could result in pigmentation issues after your treatment has taken effect.
As part of your treatments, it’s advisable to shave the treatment area between sessions as it enables the laser to more closely contact with your hairs, decreasing the chances of ingrown hairs developing. In addition, sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher should be applied liberally over this area and you should refrain from picking or pulling at them, which can lead to ingrown hairs or pseudo-folliculitis.
Preparation Time
Laser treatment could be your answer if you want to eliminate unwanted hair once and for all. Instead of shaving or waxing, which may leave unsightly bumps behind, laser hair removal offers long-term solutions with smooth skin that doesn’t grow back. But commitment will be necessary; regular sessions at regular intervals must be scheduled with your laser hair removal specialist in order for effective results to occur and permanent hair reduction to take place. Your specialist can assist in creating an appropriate plan based on your body’s natural hormone cycles and help establish an effective schedule tailored specifically around you and you.
As part of your laser hair removal session, it’s essential that you prepare by shaving and limiting sun exposure. Also, it is best to refrain from applying lotion or makeup in areas being treated, as this allows your technician to see clearly through your skin layers and target hair follicles more efficiently. You should inform your laser technician of all medications taken – both oral and topical – which could interfere with laser treatment while others could make your skin more susceptible to light exposure.
Before your first laser hair removal session, it’s advisable to refrain from plucking or waxing the area for at least six weeks prior to going under the laser beam – this allows the laser to target its target properly – the root. Tanning beds must also be avoided in order for optimal results from laser hair removal treatments.
Before beginning treatment, it’s a good idea to take photographs of the area you intend on treating. This allows you to compare before-and-after images and monitor your progress over time. Shave beforehand; though avoid shaving immediately prior to an appointment as this exposes new growth that could become vulnerable to burning.
At your consultation, you will have an opportunity to ask any questions and express any concerns regarding treatment. Furthermore, this time allows you to decide if you’re ready and willing to commit to attending all required sessions – if not, perhaps reconsidering or seeking another clinic might be better suited.
Session Time
Laser hair removal typically takes from minutes to several hours depending on the size and location of the treatment area. Shaving should be completed prior to laser hair removal treatments in order to help the laser target and avoid skin damage caused by shaving follicles directly. Patients are strongly encouraged to avoid waxing and plucking activities prior to having laser treatments done since these activities could cause missed follicles reducing its effectiveness.
Laser hair removal typically requires multiple sessions in order to be most effective, since only hair follicles in their growth (anagen) phase are targeted by the laser compared with those still in catagen or telogen phases. On average, five to eight treatments spaced four weeks apart are usually necessary in order to eliminate all unwanted body hair.
Some parts of the body, like the face and neck, require multiple sessions due to hormonal influences that alter hair growth cycles. Therefore, when planning to remove hair using laser therapy it is advisable to book multiple treatment sessions in advance.
Before commencing with laser hair removal, technicians often apply topical anesthetics to reduce any potential discomfort during treatment, especially on larger body areas like legs and back where pain may be more prominent.
Once the topical anesthetic has taken effect, the technician will pass a laser over the treatment area to begin its work. The laser uses pulses of energy to destroy hair follicles and prevent further growth of new hair. During the procedure it is important to maintain focus by not moving too much; closing your eyes during treatment may also help.
As soon as your treatment has completed, the treated area may feel sensitive and slightly irritated. Therefore, it is essential to follow any after-care instructions provided by your doctor, such as staying out of direct sunlight and not using waxing products or scented lotions. Aloe vera gel may also provide soothing comfort to soothe this area of treatment.
Post-Session Care
Laser hair removal sessions typically last anywhere from five minutes to an hour, depending on the area being treated. A medical specialist begins by cleansing and applying numbing gel to any sensitive areas before pressing a handheld device against your skin to release pulses of laser light that destroys hair follicles that grew back. Individual results will differ, however on average people usually need six-8 sessions across four to nine weeks in order to see satisfactory results.
Hair usually returns in lighter hues and at much reduced visibility due to heat from laser treatment damaging some of the follicles but not completely eliminating them. As such, some new hair will emerge over the course of weeks while others fall out or are pushed out by their respective follicles; it may even be possible for some damaged follicles to attempt growth again; although their chances are unlikely of producing new strands.
Hair growth and loss happen in cycles, which is why laser treatment sessions must be repeated over time to effectively eradicate all unwanted follicles. Traditional methods like waxing, threading, creams and shaving take too much time and money over time for this solution to work effectively.
Before each session, it’s recommended to shave the area to be treated two to three days in advance and refrain from using products containing retinol or alpha hydroxy acids as these may make your skin more sensitive to laser heat. Furthermore, it’s wise to limit sun exposure as any artificial or natural tanning increases risk for side effects like redness and swelling as well.
Patients typically notice dramatic results after their second laser hair removal session. After this point, you should experience smooth, silky skin without fear of hair growth; touch-up treatments should then be scheduled every year to maintain this goal.
