Laser hair removal is a safe, efficient method for eliminating unwanted body hair. Treatment requires applying topical anesthetic to the area in need.
A technician presses a handheld device against the skin and activates a laser device, heating the pigment in hair follicles until its pigment becomes damaged, thus stopping further production.
Treatment Area
Unwanted hair can be both bothersome and inconvenient, but laser hair removal could provide the answer to its removal. Laser energy used during treatment is very effective at dissolving hair follicles to stop further hair growth; however, due to hair growth occurring in three phases (anagen, catagen and telogen), multiple sessions will likely be required before seeing results.
As part of their laser hair removal session, patients should shave the area to be treated prior to shaving it with razor. This allows laser energy to effectively target pigment in hair follicles; shaving ensures that hair length is appropriate. Patients should avoid plucking or waxing their treatment area as these methods remove hair follicles which reduce its efficacy of laser treatment.
Men and women can both use laser hair removal to treat various body parts, such as arms, legs, chest, face, back, abdomen and bikini line. Laser treatments also have great success at treating unwanted neck hair growth by helping prevent ingrown hairs or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from appearing painfully ingrown.
Before your treatment begins, a qualified professional will carefully consider your skin type and color to select an effective laser energy. It is vitally important that no tanning agents or sunless skin creams be applied prior to any appointment as these could cause uneven pigmentation; in addition, hair follicles must be in an active growth phase for laser energy to work effectively.
As soon as your initial series of treatments have concluded, follow-up appointments are needed in order to maintain results. The frequency of these sessions depends on your Fitzpatrick skin type classification based on color, sun sensitivity and ability to tan; most people require four or six treatments in order to attain desired hair reduction results.
Time Between Treatments
Hair removal treatments are generally quick and painless. Patients may experience a mild pinching sensation from the laser’s heat depending on which part of the body they’re treating; to minimize any discomfort further some opt to apply cooling gel or topical anesthetic to minimize this feeling.
Before beginning laser treatment, patients must refrain from shaving, plucking, waxing or other hair removal methods like plucking. Doing this could damage hair follicles at their root level and render laser treatment ineffective. In addition, tanning beds or using sunless sun creams several weeks prior to their appointment could cause skin discoloration or other unwanted side effects that compromise its efficacy.
Laser treatment works best on those who have dark hair and light skin because the difference in colors helps the pigments in their follicle absorb heat from laser treatment, damaging only its surrounding follicle without harming surrounding skin cells. Unfortunately, however, light-haired people or those with darker skin might be less suitable as the laser may misunderstand pigment and target other structures rather than simply hair follicles.
After multiple sessions of laser hair removal, most patients typically see at least an 85% decrease in hair in the treatment area; some even become completely hair-free! When hair does grow back in, it typically grows finer and lighter colored than before.
Patients should expect at least six laser hair removal treatments before seeing permanent results, although subsequent sessions could result in slower and less frequent hair growth.
Shaving can be an unwelcome and time-consuming task that leaves many with razor burn, ingrown hairs and other irritations on their skin. Laser hair removal offers an alternative that leaves smooth and silky skin for you to enjoy a luxurious experience that looks and feels great.
Laser hair removal enthusiasts should schedule a consultation with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood, who can develop an individual treatment plan tailored specifically to each person and meet aesthetic goals. She can also determine how many laser treatments will be necessary for permanent results.
Cost
Laser hair removal costs can range depending on your provider and treatment area, with sessions typically costing anywhere between $199 to $599 for one session. Consult a provider prior to scheduling treatments so you have an idea of the number of sessions necessary.
Laser treatments employ concentrated light beams to target hair follicles – tiny pores in the skin where hair grows – which attract the laser’s beam directly, drawing its attention towards melanin pigment in hair that attracts its light before being converted to heat to damage and eventually vaporize the follicle itself, eventually stopping future growth and producing much finer and lighter colored regrowth.
Before your treatment begins, your skin will be cleansed and a numbing gel may be applied to the area being treated. Next you will enter a treatment room where protective eyewear will be worn before entering a treatment room where a technician will place a laser onto your face or other body part and emit pulses of light that feel similar to warm pinpricks or rubber band snapping against your skin – these could include smells such as smoke as well as sensations such as burn or sting sensations.
As soon as your laser treatment has completed, your skin may become red and swollen for about an hour or so – this is normal as hair follicles respond to laser treatment by burning away or rupturing; to protect the area further it’s wise to avoid direct sunlight for at least 48 hours following laser treatments.
Prior to seeing results from laser treatment sessions, multiple sessions may be needed as laser light can only target active hair follicles that are growing actively. Over time, more follicles will move into their active phase; it is therefore highly advised that you visit a dermatologist who specializes in this method such as Dr. Michele Green.
As an expert in laser hair removal, she can assist you in developing a treatment plan to achieve permanent hair reduction. Contact her office on Manhattan’s Upper East Side to learn more.
Safety
Laser hair removal when performed by an experienced, board certified professional is considered safe. As with any medical procedure, however, side effects may arise such as redness or discoloration of the skin and mild pain; these typically subside within 24-48 hours. Your licensed provider will work to minimize risks by choosing a type of laser that best matches your skin tone and hair color/type as well as by asking about medications which might trigger adverse reactions during your session.
As part of your effort to reduce laser hair removal side effects, it is best to stay out of direct sunlight and wear powerful sunscreen when venturing outdoors. Furthermore, try not to engage in plucking, waxing and electrolysis on the treatment area in the weeks leading up to your session; shaving the area can help minimize skin damage from burnt hairs.
After your session, you may experience itching and redness around the treated areas, and notice changes to their hair that is lighter or darker than usual. While these symptoms are harmless, they may become bothersome at times; to ease these side effects use aloe vera gel or another topical treatment on these spots.
Your best defense against these side effects of laser hair removal is to choose an experienced, licensed, board-certified provider in a clean and well-lit clinic with dermatologist on staff. Some states may impose licensing requirements; please check with the health care agency in your area for more details.
Your licensed professional will use a handheld laser device to deliver pulses of laser light directly onto the unwanted hair, damaging its roots and preventing further growth. This process is repeated across the treatment area; usually two to six sessions will suffice before seeing noticeable hair reduction; once results have been reached, they may last months or years until hair regrowth begins again; usually this time it is finer and lighter in tone than before.
