Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure that utilizes light energy to target and destroy unwanted hair follicles, thus inhibiting future hair growth. Unfortunately, however, many individuals remain uncertain how many flashes will be necessary to produce lasting results.
Answer to this question will depend on a range of factors; continue reading to gain more insight into these considerations.
Factors That Influence the Number of Flashes
Laser hair removal is a safe cosmetic procedure that can permanently reduce or remove unwanted hair. The procedure works by targeting pulses of light energy at individual hair follicles in the treatment area, which absorbs this heat energy, damaging them and inhibiting future hair growth. Before each laser hair removal session begins, hair will first be trimmed, sterilized, and any necessary numbing gel applied – then the laser emits pulses that target pigment in each individual follicle while only targeting its pigment – with pulse width adjustments depending on color or thickness to avoid skin damage to ensure no-one gets hurt during treatment sessions.
Thinning hairs close to the surface require shorter pulse widths while thicker ones need longer ones, enabling operators to treat different densities of hair with maximum effectiveness.
Once laser hair removal treatments have been completed, it’s essential to follow proper aftercare practices. This means applying cooling cream or lotion directly on the treated area and wearing sun-protective clothing whenever possible. Furthermore, hot baths, showers, and saunas should be avoided along with waiting several days before shaving or waxing treated areas.
Laser hair removal treatments may cause some reddening and swelling at first, which is completely normal. Within hours, however, your skin should have returned to its usual state, allowing you to resume using regular razors as normal. Are you ready to put an end to shaving and waxing altogether? Schedule a consultation with us now and discover if laser hair removal could be the perfect choice!
The Hair Growth Cycle
Laser hair removal is an effective solution to decreasing unwanted body hair growth. It works through selective photothermolysis, which uses specific wavelength and pulse duration combinations to treat skin effectively without disturbing surrounding tissues. Melanin deposits located within your hair and skin absorb heat more readily than lighter materials like light skin or water and are more effectively heated via this technique than light colored skin or water.
Laser and IPL hair removal devices work on a similar principle as your razor and depilatory cream, only with much greater effectiveness. Professional and at-home laser & IPL devices emit monochromatic light energy to cause individual hairs to detach from their roots follicles, and no longer grow back – making laser hair removal so popular among men and women alike.
As would be expected, anagen phase is an optimal time for laser treatment. Hair is most visible and still attached to its root for growth during this phase; thus allowing laser to easily target pigment in hair and prevent its regrowth.
Once hair reaches the catagen phase, it begins shedding naturally; this is why you may find stray strands after shaving; your body’s way of clearing away dead skin cells naturally. Once this stage has passed, laser removal no longer works on these hairs.
The telogen phase marks the final stage in hair growth. At this point, the follicle enters a resting phase during which no new hairs can grow out; it may not dormant completely for years though; during this stage many people notice reduced unwanted hair growth.
The Size of the Treatment Area
Laser hair removal can be performed safely when administered by trained, skilled operatives; however, like any medical procedure there are potential risks involved. Some risks associated with laser hair removal are swelling, redness and skin irritation – however this risk increases depending on the size of treatment area as well as individual circumstances such as darker hair and thinner skin needing more treatments in order to reach desired results.
Laser hair removal sessions typically consist of multiple flashes per session, depending on a number of variables such as treatment area size and density. Larger areas typically require more flashes as light energy must penetrate more deeply to heat and disable hair follicles.
Additionally, the type and settings of laser device can have an effect on how many flashes are necessary for hair removal. Laser devices generally emit more light energy than intense pulsed light (IPL) devices, as well as being monochrome with focused beams for targeting specific areas more effectively than IPL devices.
Spot sizes vary between manufacturers, but it is generally accepted that smaller spot sizes require higher fluences for effective hair follicle heating and destruction.
Laser hair removal is an efficient and safe solution for men and women of all ages looking for permanent results from shaving, waxing or using depilatory creams. By following a suggested treatment plan you can reach these lasting results within several treatments.
The Hair’s Color and Thickness
Laser hair removal works by targeting unwanted hair follicles with concentrated beams of light energy to destroy them and break down pigment in them, inhibiting future hair growth. The color and thickness of your hair may determine how many flashes are necessary; darker coarse hair absorbs more light energy making removal simpler while lighter finer hair requires additional flashes to achieve results.
Laser treatment offers a permanent solution to unwanted hair. You can perform it right in your own home using professional at-home laser devices like Silk’n. When using these devices it is essential that they are used according to manufacturer recommendations so as to maximize how many flashes of laser energy for hair removal occur per session.
Like traditional razors, laser and IPL hair removal devices don’t cause any pain to their users. You will hear a soft whirring noise from the cooling fan and notice a soft flash of light as each pulse of light is delivered to your skin; additionally, heat may be felt from each pulse of light delivered directly. Be mindful not to expose your eyes directly to light; wear protective goggles or glasses during usage of this device to safeguard them.
At-home laser hair removal devices can save money over costly office treatments, and are an excellent way to access safe, non-invasive solutions that work safely with all skin tones and types. You have access to a variety of at-home laser and IPL devices designed specifically to treat very dark tones safely; just remember not to sunbathe prior to your laser or IPL treatment session as this could reduce its efficacy as well as cause irreparable damage to the skin.
The Skin Tone
Laser hair removal relies on selective photothermolysis, which targets dark target matter such as melanin in skin or hair without heating surrounding tissue or water, thus damaging only targeted follicles that produce future hair growth. Since only a portion of your active follicles at any one time is active, multiple treatment sessions must take place over time to ensure all potential hair follicles have been affected by laser.
The Fitzpatrick Scale classifies skin tones into 6 categories, from light or ivory (skin tone score I) to dark espresso brown or ebony (skin tone score VI). Fairer skin tones make better candidates for laser hair removal due to having less melanin that absorbs laser energy; however, light-skinned clients must still apply sunscreen regularly before and after treatments for optimal results.
Prior to booking any treatment sessions at your med spa near New City, it’s essential that a patch test be scheduled in order to ascertain if a device is safe and effective for both your skin type and hair color, and to identify any possible adverse side effects or side effects. This test can help your provider assess if there will be any side effects that arise during treatments sessions and help establish whether any adjustments or precautions need to be made during treatments sessions.
When booking your first at-home laser hair removal session, selecting a device with a “gentle” or “sensitive” mode to make treatments more comfortable is advised. For instance, the Tria 4X produces a gentle cooling fan and informs you via beeps and buzzes when the device has started zapping your hairs. Furthermore, its skin contact sensor warns if too much pressure or poor skin contact is being applied, making it easier to apply appropriate levels without suffering side effects from overzealous sessions!
