Laser hair removal usually requires six sessions to permanently eliminate unwanted hair growth, giving you freedom from shaving, waxing and depilatory creams.
Laser treatments for hair color differences are most successful when there is an obvious contrast between skin tone and hair color; because pigment in the hair follicle absorbs laser’s light energy. However, laser can still be used effectively on lighter hairs as well.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
Laser hair removal can provide permanent hair reduction, though it won’t happen overnight; patients will require multiple sessions in order to effectively eliminate all unwanted hair. Our medical provider will help determine how many treatments will be necessary in order for you to reach your desired goal.
Though hair growth cycles vary among individuals, most will require six to eight laser hair removal treatments before becoming completely hair-free. Each time you receive treatment, more hair will fall out due to targeting hair follicles while they’re active, growing state. As they enter catagen and telogen phases, however, your strands will thin and lighten before eventually falling out entirely.
The number of treatments will also depend on your skin type and hair color; certain colors absorb laser energy more readily, making removal simpler for certain hair colors. People with darker complexions can still undergo laser hair removal treatments but may need multiple sessions in order to see success with results.
For optimal results, it is best to avoid waxing, plucking or bleaching the area prior to your appointment in order to allow the laser light to penetrate deeper into your skin and target active hair follicles more efficiently. Also try and avoid sunbathing or spray tanners in the weeks leading up to it for maximum efficacy.
At each treatment session, the laser emits light energy that will target and destroy the pigment of your hair, rendering its growth permanently disabled in that region of your body. Over time, hair follicles will no longer produce new hair there.
Laser hair removal can be performed on virtually every part of the body, including the face, underarms, arms, chest, legs and bikini line. It’s an ideal option for anyone seeking to eliminate shaving and waxing hassles and regain their daily routines without shaving and waxing. When selecting your practitioner be sure they meet all requirements set by training institutions as well as insurance organizations – make sure they’re on a registered list that meets certain training standards, skill standards and insurance coverage criteria for laser hair removal treatments.
How Long Will Each Treatment Take?
An average laser hair removal treatment session typically lasts no more than an hour; in some instances it may even take less time, depending on the area being targeted and its growth rate.
Sometimes multiple treatments may be required in order to achieve desired results. As hair grows and sheds at different rates, not all follicles will be damaged at once; repeated treatment helps target these when they’re at new-growth stage.
Importantly, between laser treatments it’s also essential that you avoid plucking or waxing as this could compromise the progress of laser hair removal by depriving follicles of pigment needed to regrow hair follicles and produce new strands. You must wait for new growth before scheduling another session.
Many people suffer from unwanted facial hair, usually found on the upper lip and chin area. This problem is especially prevalent among women who experience hormonal fluctuations; oral treatments like birth control pills or Spironolactone may help provide lasting solutions in combination with laser hair removal for optimal results.
Laser hair removal involves applying topical anesthetic, then using a device to apply pulses of light that target unwanted hair follicles and damage them, eventually stopping their ability to grow hair altogether and leading to thinner and lighter-colored growth when it does reappear over time.
Repeating this process multiple times to completely disable hair follicles will depend on both your unique situation and type of laser being used for treatment, since different wavelengths absorb melanin differently – some lasers will prove more successful for some than others in treating your condition.
Laser hair removal tends to work best on those with darker skin and darker hair, as its wavelengths can effectively target pigmented follicles without harming surrounding tissues. However, newer laser technology now enables people with both lighter skin and lighter hair to benefit from this procedure.
Will My Insurance Cover Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is typically considered cosmetic treatment and therefore not covered by health insurance plans; however, certain policies do cover medically necessary treatments due to a specific disease or condition.
For example, if you suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), which leads to hormonal fluctuations that cause unwanted hair growth on your face and body, insurance may cover part or all of the costs for laser treatment sessions. Although this occurs rarely, so be sure to speak to your insurance provider to understand exactly which terms apply in your situation.
Laser treatment sessions will need to take place multiple times for you to experience optimal results. For instance, treating areas of rapid hair growth such as the upper lip might require two to six treatments while areas with slower growth like the back might require treatments every 12-16 weeks. Each time, protective eyeglasses will be worn while laser beams target hair follicles for destruction using laser technology; your doctor might apply topical anesthetic first as well.
After your laser treatment, it is normal for redness and swelling in the treated area to appear. To assist healing, make sure you moisturize and stay out of direct sunlight as much as possible; additionally a topical steroid cream might also be beneficial if the area is particularly painful or sore.
Laser hair removal takes several treatments before showing noticeable results, yet many patients are happy with its success. After each session, patients often report needing less frequent shaving or waxing sessions while new hair growth tends to be thinner and lighter in tone than prior growths.
Keep in mind, though, that results from laser hair removal treatments will only last permanently if you adhere to the doctor’s instructions after each session. Otherwise, hair may regrow thicker or darker and regular touch-up sessions might be required in order to achieve desired outcomes. To learn more about laser hair removal solutions from Nao Medical or schedule a consultation session today!
Will I Have Any Side Effects?
Hair Removal is generally safe, and will not result in side effects for most individuals. However, taking some preventative steps may reduce any possible adverse reactions such as redness, swelling and itching after treatment.
Following your dermatologist’s pre and post treatment instructions is key to avoiding unwanted side effects from laser treatments. Before your appointment, avoid tanning beds and spending too much time outdoors to prevent tanning beds or artificial tanning solutions from creating natural or artificial dark tans which could interfere with how well laser treatments work for you. Also avoiding waxing, tweezing and plucking the area that needs to be treated will reduce the number of sessions necessary to achieve desired results.
Before your dermatologist begins any procedure, they will apply a topical anesthetic to numb the area being treated. Some patients find the procedure to be very uncomfortable; taking Advil an hour prior can be helpful. Also using quality razor blades on hairy areas prior to getting treated may reduce discomfort significantly.
Laser treatment shouldn’t hurt if administered by an experienced technician familiar with your skin type and tone settings. Therefore, it’s vital that you select an accredited practitioner with a recognized register as this will minimize discomfort during your procedure.
During treatment, your hair’s pigment absorbs light and converts it to heat which damages its follicle, stopping future hair growth. Over time and with multiple treatments, more hair follicles may become permanently damaged leading to reduced facial, leg and other areas where hair grows back thinner and lighter in color.
Keep in mind that laser hair removal results aren’t permanent and require regular maintenance sessions to stop new follicles from growing back. If you need guidance as to when and how often treatments should take place, talk with your dermatologist who can give an estimate.
