Laser hair removal has quickly become an effective alternative to shaving and waxing for unwanted hair removal, yet many remain wary about its discomfort. Many may wonder whether diode laser treatments will hurt.
This type of laser stands apart from its counterparts by gradually dispensing energy – meaning it doesn’t feel like a hot pin prick!
How Painful is Diode Laser Hair Removal?
Unwanted hair on your body and face can be an annoying bother, with temporary solutions like waxing or shaving offering only short-term relief. For a permanent solution, diode laser hair removal offers safe, quick and effective results – however multiple sessions may be needed for maximum effect.
Laser therapy works by targeting melanin in hair follicles. Melanin absorbs laser energy and heat, damaging its structure and inhibiting future hair growth. This treatment works best on light skin with dark hair as the hair absorbs laser energy more effectively than surrounding skin; it is safe for tanned skin as well and works on all shades except blonde or red locks which require additional treatments to achieve results.
Diode laser treatments differ from other laser options because their longer wavelength allows for use on darker skin types without damaging or burning it, making it suitable for those with thicker and deeper hair, since diodes penetrate more readily than other laser types.
Although laser hair removal treatments are safe for all skin types, it is more effective on light or blond hair and suitable for dark or natural-colored locks than gray or white locks as these do not contain melanin which absorbs laser energy. While discomfort may arise during treatment sessions, most individuals find them tolerable; pain threshold can range anywhere between mild to moderate depending on where exactly your area of concern lies and your own individual skin sensitivity levels; typically patients must apply numbing cream prior to beginning treatments.
As part of your laser hair removal session, you will sit comfortably in a treatment chair or lie on a table while the laser machine moves across your skin to target all hair follicles. Treatment typically lasts up to an hour for large areas; follow-up sessions may be necessary as not all of your hair grows out at the same pace; over time with subsequent treatments, fewer and fewer hairs return until you achieve desired results.
What is the Pain Level of Diode Laser Hair Removal?
Diode laser hair removal is one of the safest and quickest hair removal options available, suitable for people of all skin tones (Fitzpatrick skin tone/hair color I-VI).
Pain during laser treatments depends on several factors, including the area being treated and type of laser used. Lasers work by targeting specific chromophores such as blood or melanin in your body and heating them – this causes damage to follicles that stops them producing new hair and eventually stops the treatment altogether. A special cooling system on each device reduces discomfort associated with treatment.
There are various kinds of lasers, from Alexandrite (755nm), which is only appropriate for light skin types, to diode (810nm) and ND:YAG (1064nm) lasers which are safe for darker complexions. Some individuals experience more discomfort from laser treatments than others; most however report minimal to no pain during treatment sessions.
Your practitioner’s skill and experience level will also impact the level of pain associated with your treatment. To reduce discomfort during your procedure, find someone who has received extensive training using the laser device you will be receiving your procedure from. Experienced practitioners are capable of performing procedures faster while offering greater comfort to their patients.
Importantly, it’s also essential that you realize multiple laser treatment sessions may be necessary before any unwanted hair will be permanently eliminated. Hair grows in cycles; certain parts of your body might produce more at certain times than others. By coming in for multiple sessions of laser hair removal treatment, your unwanted hair will gradually reduce until its production ceases altogether.
Most of our patients require 6-10 laser treatment sessions in order to achieve desired results, usually spaced every six weeks. Alongside this treatment plan, we advise using depilatory cream in conjunction with shaving, waxing or plucking in areas being treated.
How Long Does Diode Laser Hair Removal Take?
Diode laser hair removal sessions depend on the size and location of the area being treated, such as your face or underarms, which could require up to an hour-long treatment session; smaller areas, like bikini lines or legs, however can often be completed within 20 minutes. Furthermore, treatment length may also depend on how many sessions it will take you before reaching desired results.
Diode lasers feature one wavelength of light which quickly penetrates hair follicles to destroy melanin deposits that give them their color, targeting laser light to accurately target and damage each follicle, eventually stopping its cycle and preventing any future hair growth in that same follicle.
After attending several laser hair removal sessions, you should begin to notice fewer hairs regrowth in the affected areas. Unfortunately, this doesn’t guarantee permanent removal; touch-up treatments may still be needed from time to time.
Laser hair removal provides a far safer and longer-term way to rid oneself of unwanted body hair than traditional methods like waxing or shaving alone. Furthermore, it can help those looking to avoid ingrown hairs or any potential complications by eliminating body hair without resorting to painful shaving sessions or waxing sessions.
Orlando Dermatology can provide more information on how diode laser technology can assist with unwanted hair problems using diode laser technology. We can arrange an initial consultation with one of our board-certified dermatologists who will answer all your queries and determine whether you are suitable for the procedure.
Diode laser hair removal offers a safe, non-painful alternative to painful depilation methods – so contact our office or reach out online now to start the process!
What Can I Expect from Diode Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is an excellent way to permanently reduce unwanted body hair. It works by targeting hair follicles during their active growth phase and stopping them from producing new hair in future, leaving behind smooth and hairless skin. Laser is also a more comfortable alternative than waxing or shaving which may cause discomfort and inconvenience.
During treatment, rapid pulses of laser energy are released from a handheld device and sent deep into your skin in order to target hair follicles. The laser energy heats melanin pigment within each follicle to disable further hair growth while simultaneously eliminating its root and blood supply resulting in permanent hair reduction.
Laser hair removal is an invasive but non-surgical process, meaning you can return to your regular life after treatment with no complications or side effects. Keep in mind, however, that multiple sessions may be required before reaching your desired result – be sure to discuss this with your physician beforehand.
At Orlando Dermatology, we utilize cutting-edge diode laser technology. The Eneka PRO laser features an innovative cooling system to maximize comfort during treatment; plus it’s one of the fastest laser treatments on the market – full leg sessions only take 10-15 minutes!
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective solution for most skin types, but it’s important to realize that follow-up sessions may be necessary every year or two in order to keep unwanted hairs from growing back thickly and unattractively.
After your diode laser hair removal treatments, we advise avoiding direct sunlight and using an effective moisturizer post-treatment. Tanning products may interfere with results, and any other methods of hair removal such as shaving or waxing should wait until after treatment has concluded before engaging them again. Furthermore, it is vital to follow any post-treatment guidelines provided by your physician in order to get maximum benefits out of diode laser treatments.
