Laser hair removal is a straightforward and permanent option that takes just four sessions spaced out four weeks apart to be truly effective.
Prior to your laser appointment, it is wise not to wax or pluck as this could prevent the laser from targeting and eliminating all follicles effectively.
Before and during treatment, it is also wise to limit sun exposure as this could result in dark spots or sunburned skin.
How Long Does It Take?
Laser hair removal works by emitting light energy into the skin that is then converted to heat energy, damaging or destroying unwanted hair follicles and preventing them from growing back – leaving behind smooth and silky skin in their place. Treatment times may differ depending on the area being treated; multiple sessions are often necessary for optimal results.
As with any procedure, laser treatments can cause some discomfort; this is perfectly normal and due to heat generated by the laser itself. A topical numbing cream can help relieve this discomfort; some individuals also report having red or pink skin as a side-effect resembling sunburn; this is also common and usually fades within a few hours following their procedure.
Dr. Michele Green of Dr. Michele Green Dermatology can ensure the most successful laser hair removal treatments and avoid side effects like burns or hyperpigmentation, providing patients with optimal results and no burns or hyperpigmentation. Some individuals choose MedSpas for laser hair removal services because these can often be less costly; however, the American Academy of Dermatology advises against seeking laser hair removal treatments from such non-medical establishments to ensure safety and effectiveness of treatment.
Wait at least several weeks between each laser hair removal treatment session in order for desired effects to take hold. Unwanted hair will start shedding soon after each session and additional sessions may be necessary in order to eliminate all unwanted hair in an area; hence it is advisable to schedule treatment sessions 4-6 weeks apart.
Once your course of laser hair removal has been completed, the treated area should be virtually hairless. The number of treatment sessions required depends on your hormonal cycle and type of hair; some follicles only come into their growth phase at certain times of year.
Face and neck areas require multiple sessions due to being extremely sensitive areas where there’s a high likelihood that waxing and shaving have damaged follicles over time, creating gradual yet long-lasting results.
How Long Does It Take to See Results?
As is to be expected, results of laser hair removal vary considerably from patient to patient due to individual differences in hair growth rates and cycles as well as body areas treated. But in general, once enough treatments have been administered to target all active hair follicles in your treatment area while they are in their active hair growth phase, long-lasting and permanent results should follow.
To achieve maximum effectiveness, shaving the area being treated before each session can help to ensure that hairs are of an ideal length for treatment and will make subsequent sessions faster and more effective. It is also wise to refrain from tweezing, plucking or waxing between treatments as this removes pigment from hair follicles which renders laser hair removal treatments ineffective.
Male and female patients will typically require multiple sessions of treatment depending on the size and thickness of their treatment area, as well as how many hairs are in active hair growth phase. Men with thicker or darker hair often need additional sessions since treatment must target melanin pigment in their hair follicles; darker or grayer shades contain little of this pigment.
Some parts of your body such as the back and arms may require multiple treatments due to rapid hair growth; it’s best to consult an experienced cosmetic dermatologist such as Dr. Michele Green before beginning laser hair removal treatment plans on these areas.
Laser hair removal generally provides permanent results once enough treatments have been performed to destroy all of the active growth phase hair follicles in a treatment area. However, occasional maintenance treatments may still produce results; these will likely be less dramatic than when performed over multiple sessions.
How Long Does It Take to Feel the Effects?
Unwanted hair growth can be an annoying issue for both men and women alike, necessitating time-consuming shaving, waxing and plucking sessions. Laser hair removal offers a solution that provides smooth skin with minimal upkeep requirements – creating smooth and attractive surfaces at once!
When considering laser hair removal, you may be curious as to the length of time before seeing results and the total number of sessions needed to permanently eliminate unwanted hair. The answer depends on several key variables including your hair and skin colors as well as rate of hair growth.
Hormones play an influential role in hair growth, meaning some areas will produce hair more rapidly than others. To combat this issue, schedule at least four laser hair removal sessions every four weeks so the treatment reaches hair follicles at different stages of development for maximum effectiveness and results.
Your hair growth cycle also plays a part in how long it will take you to see results from laser hair removal sessions. Some of your hair may be in its anagen phase (when new hairs are growing), while other areas will still need multiple sessions over time so as to address all types of hairs simultaneously.
First time treatments tend to be the most successful because they target hair in its anagen stage, reducing the number of hairs that must be treated during subsequent appointments and helping you start experiencing results almost instantly.
One to three weeks following treatment, you will notice that your area is beginning to shed hair as part of the healing process and should not be mistaken for regrowth. It is important not to shave or wax during this period in order to prevent additional hairs from falling out before your next appointment can target them effectively.
Whenever shaving or waxing, remember to limit sun exposure until your treatment has concluded in order to lower the risk of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation caused by laser heat coming into contact with melanin (the pigment responsible for giving skin its natural hue). Doing this will reduce hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation that can arise as a result.
How Long Does It Take to Recover?
After laser hair removal, your skin may become very sensitive. You may experience itching and mild sunburn-like symptoms in the treated areas as well as redness. A cool cloth and moisturizers may help alleviate these side effects; direct sunlight should also be avoided until after healing has taken place.
To achieve long-term results, you will require scheduled treatment sessions on an ongoing basis. At minimum, at least six treatments should be spaced four to six weeks apart in order to see optimal results – your doctor can assess this number during your initial consultation session.
While shaving only targets surface hair growth, laser treatment penetrates deeper and disables your hair follicles – effectively stopping any future hair growth from the affected follicles resulting in permanent reduction of unwanted growth.
First time laser treatments typically remove 10-25% of hair in your target area. For instance, if there are 1,000 hairs present, approximately 35% will be eliminated by this first laser session and another 35% should follow during future sessions; leaving significantly fewer hairs than before.
Your body requires time to fully recuperate after each laser treatment session before beginning another one. After your session, damaged follicles must rest before they can begin growing back, which could take two weeks but you should notice an improvement in hair growth afterwards.
At this stage, it’s also essential that you avoid plucking or waxing hair as this will have an adverse effect on the results of laser hair removal treatments. Your doctor may suggest using depilatory creams or sugar scrubs on affected areas to remove any remaining hairs before returning for laser sessions.
Experienced, board-certified dermatologists should always be your first choice when seeking laser hair removal treatments, in order to avoid potential complications and achieve maximum effectiveness from them. At Radiant Divine Medical Spa in Avon, Ohio we have experts available who specialize in laser hair removal on any part of the body – contact us now for more information and scheduling an initial consultation session!
