Laser hair removal may not be permanent, but it does significantly reduce unwanted body hair on most parts of the body. Any new growth is much lighter and finer compared to before treatment was administered.
At the core of laser hair removal is an absorption of light by pigment in hair follicles to stop future hair growth and damage follicles follicles to inhibit further hair follicle growth. Your practitioner may employ cooling devices or gel to minimize discomfort.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal uses light-based technology designed to heat and damage pigmented cells of hair follicles in order to stop their ability to grow new hair, thus disabling them altogether. When performed by an experienced practitioner, this procedure can produce impressive results, eliminating the need for regular shaving or waxing. In fact, many individuals who undergo laser treatment experience a significant decrease in future hair growth – often for years afterwards!
Laser hair removal is not permanent, and does require regular maintenance treatments in order to keep unwanted hairs away. Some maintenance sessions may only involve plucking stray strands while for most, ongoing series of laser sessions spaced approximately four weeks apart will likely be necessary for lasting effects.
Laser hair removal requires multiple sessions depending on factors like skin complexion, coarseness of the hair and location. To determine the appropriate number for you, the ideal way is to consult with a dermatologist who specializes in this procedure and offer an initial consultation that includes medical history review and physical exam as well as discussing benefits and risks of treatment options available to them.
Hair removal treatments can be applied to virtually every part of the body, though legs, underarms and bikini lines tend to be the most commonly targeted areas. Hair removal may also be used on facial, neck and shoulder hair as well as back arms and stomach hair removal in some instances.
Laser treatment works most effectively when targeting melanin (pigment) found in hair follicles; thus it doesn’t work as effectively with white, blonde, or red locks – darker hair provides easier melanin targeting capabilities.
A qualified laser technician will use their handheld device in a grid-like pattern across your skin surface that needs treating, providing slight warmth from its heat; however, most practitioners provide topical anesthetic or numbing cream so as to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
After receiving treatment, it is recommended that you treat the treated skin in the same way you would treat a mild sunburn – this means avoiding direct sunlight exposure as well as any activities which could cause sweating. Furthermore, keeping the area clean and moisturized is advised.
Laser hair removal can be an ideal solution for anyone who’s growing tired of the constant inconvenience and expense associated with shaving, waxing and threading their body hair. While laser hair removal won’t remove all hair permanently, it will definitely put unwanted ones into dormancy; when they reemerge they should be much lighter in color and texture compared to what had grown there previously. Although laser treatment is typically not covered by insurance plans, most dermatologists offer flexible payment plans or package offers to reduce maintenance treatment costs.
Hair Removal FAQs
Laser hair removal is a highly sought-after cosmetic procedure and an ideal alternative to shaving or waxing for those seeking less-invasive options. Laser can permanently reduce unwanted hair growth while dormantizing its follicles – meaning when new growth does come back it will be finer, lighter and fewer in number than before compared with shaving or waxing which only provide temporary solutions – eventually all hair will return and eventually have to be completely eliminated or regularly waxed off to remain undetected.
Laser hair removal works by targeting melanin pigment in hair follicles. Therefore, it is most effective on people with dark hair and light skin as the contrast allows the laser to more easily see and target hair follicles; once they have been destroyed, their accompanying hairs will also vanish.
Contrary to electrolysis, which treats each hair individually, laser treatments can treat multiple hairs in one larger area and are faster. However, it will still require multiple sessions in order to get similar results as electrolysis.
How long will it take for my hair to regrow after laser treatment?
This depends on each person’s unique hair growth cycle and how effectively their follicles were addressed by laser. As laser treatment places hair follicles into a dormant state, growth takes longer.
Laser treatments offer permanent hair reduction when adhered to consistently. The more consistent you are with your treatments, the faster and more impressive will be your results.
Does laser hair removal hurt? People with higher pain tolerance may not feel any discomfort from laser hair removal; for most of us though, laser hair removal should not be any more uncomfortable than getting your eyebrows threaded or getting manicured.
As with most medical procedures, laser hair removal may cause minor discomforts that include tingling sensations or the sensation of having your skin flicked with a rubber band. But this will likely only be temporary; with continued treatments your pain should diminish over time.
Are some hair colors or skin complexions harder to treat than others? In general, laser hair removal works better on darker-skinned individuals due to melanin in their hair helping absorb and transmit heat from the laser light source. Lighter colored hair may still be treated if they are thick and coarse enough; always consult your physician or laser technician prior to beginning any form of treatment for optimal advice about your specific situation.
Pregnant or trying to become pregnant women should avoid laser hair removal treatments as the hormones released during gestation can compromise its efficacy. Furthermore, hormonal birth control or menopause treatment could alter hormone levels that could impact how effectively the treatment is responded to.
