Laser hair removal is more effective at eliminating facial hair than electrolysis or waxing, and offers greater convenience and less discomfort than its alternatives.
Multiple treatments (8-16 depending on skin tone) must be spaced appropriately for maximum reduction, targeting only active hair follicles during their active growth phase with laser light.
How Many Treatments Are Needed?
Unwanted facial and body hair can make you self-conscious, taking up valuable time with waxing, shaving or plucking to get rid of. Laser hair removal offers an efficient solution with long-term results for safely eliminating unwanted hair.
Laser treatments work by projecting beams of light into the skin to target and damage hair follicles that produce unwanted hair growth, thus halting its spread into new areas. While it shouldn’t cause pain or discomfort during the procedure, some practitioners might apply numbing gel prior to your session in order to reduce discomfort levels. Laser light absorbs melanin pigment found in dark hair which vaporizes it from your face leaving smooth and clear skin behind.
People typically see results after their first laser hair removal treatment; however, multiple sessions will typically be necessary to reach desired cosmetic outcomes. This is because laser can only target active growth stages of hair follicles known as anagen stage; once they shift into catagen phase they stop producing new hair growth.
The number of treatments required will depend on both your hair type and its area being treated, for instance dark and coarse hair may require additional sessions than fine and light locks. Furthermore, sessions will depend on how quickly your natural growth cycle renews between treatments sessions.
Once you have undergone an intensive laser hair removal treatment course, results should last months or years. When new hair does reappear, it will usually be much lighter in color and less visible than before.
Laser hair removal can help restore confidence in the way that you appear to others. To learn more about its many advantages, schedule an appointment with Dr. Green at her private dermatology practice on Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood – she can develop an individualized laser hair removal treatment plan tailored specifically to meet your aesthetic goals and concerns.
How Long Will Each Treatment Take?
Unwanted hair growth can be both frustrating and time consuming, leading you to constantly have to shave, wax or pluck it for maintenance purposes. Laser hair removal offers permanent solutions by eliminating these time consuming tasks with one treatment session per laser session being needed until your desired results have been reached. It may require multiple sessions in order to achieve results but is well worth the investment!
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends seeking laser hair removal treatment from a board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Michele Green in New York City in order to minimize potential side effects, and is advised against going it alone without consulting with a medical provider first. Laser hair removal at spas or nonmedical institutions may cost less, but they could lead to burns and hyper-pigmentation more difficult to reverse in later treatment sessions.
At your laser hair removal appointment in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood, our private office offers the ideal setting to ensure a relaxing and effective treatment experience. Your practitioner will apply cooling gel to minimize discomfort during the procedure before using our laser to guide it toward its target area and you may feel an audible snap as they guide it across your skin – similar to when rubber bands snap against one another.
Laser treatments work by targeting pigment in hair follicles to inhibit them from producing new hair growth, which works best on those with lighter complexions and darker hair. If you have dark skin, however, a lower power setting or other treatments may be used instead to avoid unwanted side effects.
After each laser session, your results should show a decrease in unwanted hair and smoother and silkier skin. It is advised to wait at least a month between treatments so as to allow all follicles time for growth and active expansion phase.
Once hair follicles transition into their resting phase, laser hair removal may no longer be effective. Therefore, it’s essential that all appointments for laser hair removal be attended; visiting your physician four or six times annually gives the best chance for permanent hair reduction.
How Much Will Each Treatment Cost?
Laser hair removal is an extremely popular procedure that is safe and effective for all skin types, since its laser only targets darker pigments of hair follicles while leaving surrounding skin undamaged. As a result, permanent reduction in hair growth ensues over time with multiple treatments scheduled every 5-6 weeks to achieve lasting results.
Traditional hair removal methods, including shaving, waxing and creams can be both painful and costly over time. Laser hair removal provides a more cost-effective solution with longer-lasting results at around $200 to $400 per session; significantly less than the average annual depilatory product expense.
Lasers work by emitting beams of light that penetrate unwanted hair pigments, turning them into heat that damages their follicle and eventually leads to it falling out. Over time, patients may notice their new growth is thinner and lighter; which is intended as an ideal result.
Laser hair removal can be accomplished relatively effortlessly. Before beginning the procedure, a topical numbing gel may be applied to reduce any discomfort during treatment and then the laser used on desired area to permanently reduce unwanted hair.
Laser hair removal treatments will involve no pain and you should only experience minor swelling and redness afterward; these symptoms should disappear within hours after treatment has concluded. Once completed, you can return immediately to your daily activities; within one or two weeks your skin should start showing results as unwanted hair starts falling out.
Your laser hair removal treatment plan depends on your hair type and area to be treated; on average, patients need four to six treatments spread out over monthly intervals in order to see significant and long-term results. In addition, annual touch-up sessions may be necessary in order to make sure no new unwanted hair grows back.
What Are the Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal uses a laser beam to target pigment in your unwanted hair follicles and convert the light energy into heat that destroys them, stopping hair growth in its tracks – it usually doesn’t come back after multiple, properly spaced treatments; though this process doesn’t guarantee permanent hair loss; some individuals may continue to produce some hair despite treatment; your doctor will discuss this possibility prior to beginning.
As part of your laser hair removal treatment, protective goggles will be worn during treatment to safeguard your eyes. A numbing gel may be applied before beginning for maximum comfort during this fast and painless session. When completed, you can resume normal activities immediately afterwards.
While uncommon, side effects of laser hair removal may include blisters and burn marks. This is most likely to happen when an untrained technician applies the laser unevenly; darker skin tones tend to absorb more energy from laser beams which then leads to burn marks that become scars over time.
Changes in skin tone are one possible side effect of laser hair removal, although they’re relatively rare. They may occur among those with lighter or darker complexions and could even be temporary.
Other potential side effects from laser hair removal can include redness, swelling, and bruising; these symptoms are generally mild and will dissipate on their own within several days – similar to any potential reactions you might experience if waxing or shaving your face.
As laser hair removal uses laser technology, individuals with medical conditions such as diabetes should not opt for this procedure. There is a risk that blood vessels could be damaged during treatment; your doctor will carefully consider your medical history and assess any risks before providing advice regarding laser treatment for you. Also avoid sun exposure prior to scheduling an appointment since lasers don’t perform as effectively on tanned skin.
