Lasers work by producing energy which damages hair follicles so they cannot regrow. After several sessions, all unwanted hair should have been eliminated and touch-up sessions every four to eight weeks will ensure lasting results.
After each treatment session, your hair will begin to shed slowly – usually the excess strands that were in the growth phase at that time of your appointment.
How Long Do Laser Hair Removal Treatments Last?
Full body laser hair removal can be an ideal solution for anyone seeking an efficient alternative to shaving, waxing, or plucking unwanted body hair. Thanks to laser’s pinpoint precision, they can precisely target each hair follicle and permanently damage them before producing further unwanted growth.
While hair will continue to grow in the affected area, it will not be nearly as thick or noticeable. Laser treatments also can help avoid ingrown hairs and razor bumps associated with at-home removal methods.
Numbing cream should be applied to the area being treated prior to laser therapy in order to maximize comfort levels during the procedure. Once skin has been sufficiently numbed, a laser technician will use their device over the target area – specifically its small tip that enables laser light to precisely target hair follicles without harming surrounding tissue. Laser sessions tend to be quick; you should only feel heat sensation from laser piercing for brief moments during each treatment session.
Following your treatment session, it is normal for some hair shedding in the area treated. Do not mistake this as evidence of regrowth as hair only grows back from those follicles which were successfully targeted during your appointment. For optimal results, avoid shaving, waxing, or plucking that area for one week following your session.
How long your laser hair removal results last depends on the number of treatments you undergo, typically six to eight in total for noticeable hair reduction. Each session should be spaced four to eight weeks apart so untouched hair follicles have time to enter their active growth phase before beginning another treatment session.
Laser technology advancements now enable full-body laser hair removal on all complexions. However, for optimal results it is crucial that there be an inverse relationship between skin tone and hair color; dark hair against light skin often works best while laser treatment might not yield as desirable results when dealing with darker or blonder shades like gray or white hair.
Others factors can also impact how long your results last, including hormone fluctuations, sun exposure and medications taken to treat acne. Your dermatologist will be able to inform you when it’s time for another touch-up appointment based on your unique needs and situation.
How Long Do Laser Hair Removal Treatments Take?
Laser hair removal can provide an efficient solution to permanently eradicate unwanted hair, with results lasting years. Unlike waxing or shaving which remove only visible hairs, laser treatments target and disable hair follicles directly, so even when hair does regrow after laser treatments it will likely be finer and sparser than before laser treatment was applied.
As part of a laser hair removal session, the technician will first apply a numbing cream to the area to be treated depending on its size and your pain threshold. This will ensure maximum comfort during your appointment as pain can sometimes be an issue with this procedure. Next, a laser will be passed over your skin’s surface, sending pulses of light down into hair follicles and dissolving them through heat energy; eventually leading to hair shrivelling up and falling off altogether.
This process may last anywhere from several minutes to an hour, depending on which area of your body needs treatment. Some individuals may experience temporary discomfort similar to rubber bands snapping against your skin; however, this should subside quickly after applying topical numbing cream prior to their appointment.
To achieve optimal results, it is recommended that sessions occur every four to six weeks. This allows your untreated follicles to enter their active growth phase so they can be targeted again during subsequent sessions – over time you should notice finer and lighter hair growth as treatments progress.
Before your laser hair removal appointment, we strongly suggest shaving the areas to be treated. It is also important to refrain from tanning or artificial sun exposure beforehand as it may reduce effectiveness and lead to side effects. It is vitally important that protective goggles be worn during your session for your own safety; we provide them free.
How Long Do Laser Hair Removal Treatments Take for Recovery?
As is common with laser treatments, you may experience redness, bumps and swelling for several days following each session. This is completely normal and should subside with time. A cold compress or ice wrapped in a dry cloth may help soothe skin while alleviating effects. Whenever possible avoid hot baths and showers to protect the skin from burning.
Before your session, a topical cream will help the laser more easily target hair follicles. Furthermore, you must abstain from shaving, plucking and waxing for at least six weeks prior to your appointment; these methods remove active growth stage follicles which allow laser treatment to successfully target them.
First treatments tend to only successfully eradicate 10-25% of an area’s hair, since damaged and destroyed follicles will never grow back; however, with repeated sessions increasing chances of destruction all follicles in an area.
Significant hair reduction requires at least four to six sessions spaced four to eight weeks apart for maximum effect. If treating hormonal areas such as face or bikini, additional sessions may be necessary in order to catch hair when its growth cycle peaks.
After your laser session, it is advisable to avoid additional skin treatments like chemical peels or IPL photofacials for several weeks after. Such procedures could potentially irritate sensitive skin that has been treated with laser.
How Long Do Laser Hair Removal Treatments Take for Results?
Laser hair removal for full body treatment typically lasts two to three hours, depending on the area being addressed. The first phase involves prepping the treatment area by avoiding tanning and applying sunblock with an SPF 30 or higher sunblock. You may also be asked to shave areas where surface hair may block laser’s view, before being given numbing cream to apply in order to minimize discomfort during laser part of treatment – something particularly helpful in areas such as underarms where frequent shaving can lead to painful rashes.
Laser hair removal involves passing the laser’s energy over your treatment area and absorbing it into the pigment of your hair follicles, then using pulses of light to destroy them and stop future hair growth. Repeating this process on every hair follicle means multiple sessions are needed for long-lasting results.
Laser hair removal sessions vary based on your hair color and coarseness, skin type, and area being treated. Women typically need more sessions than men due to finer locks. Furthermore, laser hair removal should not be seen as permanent: after your series of laser treatments your hair will start growing back but in finer and less dense form than previously seen.
Many patients are understandably anxious to know when their laser hair removal treatments will produce results, with some seeing hair growth regression immediately post-treatment while most seeing a decrease in unwanted hair within days of beginning their first session.
Laser hair removal is a safe procedure that can be performed comfortably at our clinic, though for optimal results it is best to have treatments performed by an experienced cosmetic dermatologist such as Dr. Green to avoid side effects like burns and discoloration.
