Laser Hair Removal uses pulsed beams of light to efficiently strip away an invisible layer of skin, effectively diminishing or eliminating lines, wrinkles, scars and other disfigurements while improving tone and texture.
Avoid using tanning creams or any methods which darken the skin in the treatment area, such as shaving before beginning treatment.
It Is Normal
Laser skin resurfacing is an effective non-invasive technique to address wrinkles, sun damage, age spots, scars, uneven tone and texture irregularities, sagging skin and other irregularities in your complexion. Pulsating beams of light penetrate your skin and vaporize its outer layer – stimulating the body’s natural healing process and leaving behind tight and dry patches of skin after treatment; we advise using a moisturizer with neutral pH and hypoallergenic formula as soon as possible afterwards to aid this healing process.
After receiving laser treatment, we advise patients to maintain as clean a skin environment as possible in order to maximize results. Lotions, creams, oils and deodorant may clog your pores and affect results negatively. It’s also wise to avoid physical activities which raise body temperature such as exercise, hot showers/baths/showerheads/bathtubs/tanning beds/steamers that raise body temperatures such as exercising. Such activities could cause your skin to swell or burn which could compromise treatment effectiveness and compromise results from our laser treatments.
Before initiating treatment, it is advisable to trim or shave the area that needs to be addressed. This will expose the hair shaft, making it easier for your technician to see it clearly, reducing risk of burning or damaging skin surface. Avoid plucking or waxing methods which disrupt hair follicles causing ingrown hairs.
Your technician must also understand your Fitzpatrick skin type to properly calibrate the laser’s energy. If you have darker complexion, they may use bleaching cream before beginning treatment so the laser is most effective.
Some individuals may choose to wax between laser sessions for an even result; however, waxing will damage the hair and prevent lasers from targeting its root; this may result in ingrown hairs which can be difficult to treat with lasers. As an alternative to waxing, shaving only removes surface hair without disturbing follicles.
It Is Not Normal
Laser skin resurfacing is an effective treatment option for diminishing fine lines, deep wrinkles and other signs of aging, while treating other skin blemishes and toning the complexion overall. Pulsating beams of laser light target specific areas to target and reduce any scars or uneven pigmentation issues; CO2 lasers and fractional lasers are some popular choices among other laser options available for this procedure.
Laser skin resurfacing treatments can deliver impressive results, but healing takes time. You may experience redness, swelling and an itchy sensation during this healing period; to avoid picking or scratching at your skin during this process. Your physician will provide comprehensive guidance in helping your body heal properly – apply sunscreen and moisturizer as instructed.
Before your laser skin resurfacing treatment, the area that is being addressed must first be prepared. This typically means using topical retinoid for several weeks prior to your appointment in order to increase skin tolerance for the procedure and decrease any potential risks of side effects.
On your laser skin resurfacing session, a local anesthetic will be administered to keep you comfortable and reduce pain. Once treatment has concluded, your skin will begin healing; during this period it’s best to refrain from smoking and apply products directly onto treated areas as this could delay recovery time.
Hyperpigmentation and, more rarely, hypopigmentation can occur as side effects of laser skin resurfacing; these reactions are caused by sunlight interacting with treated tissue and can be prevented by wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen after each session.
Laser skin resurfacing may increase your risk of bacterial infections. To minimize this possibility, take antiviral medication seven days prior and after your procedure; additionally, small white bumps called Milia may appear; these should usually dissipate after about one month of healing time; should you notice them post-treatment, please inform your physician and heed his or her advice on their removal.
It Is Not Safe
Laser skin resurfacing is one of the most powerful and effective treatments available to improve skin tone and texture. This procedure utilizes pulses of laser light to exfoliate dead skin cells from layers beneath your skin’s surface, helping reduce fine lines, wrinkles, scars and other blemishes as well as uneven color and sagging due to sun damage, age or previous acne outbreaks. You can have laser skin resurfacing performed on both your face, neck and hands – the results can often be long-term and dramatic results!
IF laser skin resurfacing is right for you, your doctor can determine the most appropriate form of treatment. They may suggest an ablative laser or non-ablative laser using different wavelengths to target specific areas on the skin – with ablative lasers being more beneficial at targeting deeper creases and scars while non-ablative lasers provide fine line removal and wrinkle treatment.
After your laser hair removal appointment, it is recommended to refrain from applying makeup, body wash or lotion to the area being treated for 24 hours following it. This will allow new layers of skin to form without being disturbed by beauty products like makeup. Furthermore, regular exfoliating of this area should help speed up its transformation as new layers emerge from beneath old layers.
Redness and swelling may occur as side effects of laser hair removal, though they typically resolve quickly with treatment. You can mitigate the discomfort with cool compresses or Tylenol; for more serious symptoms use aloe vera or hydrocortisone cream to soothe your skin.
Before and after laser hair removal sessions, it is wise to limit sun exposure. Direct sunlight can burn the new layer of skin that forms under laser treatment, creating darker patches which lessen its efficacy permanently. Furthermore, tanning beds and sun lamps should be avoided for two weeks prior to and post laser hair removal sessions.
No matter which laser treatment is chosen, it’s wise to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher in the area where treatment occurs. Furthermore, avoid tweezing, waxing or bleaching the area prior to and following treatments as this could irritate the skin and make recovery more challenging.
It Is Not Effective
Though laser hair removal offers numerous advantages, it may not work for everyone. There are certain factors which could impede its efficacy; these may include your skin color, density or thickness of hair growth.
As soon as a procedure has taken place, patients can expect their skin to be red, swollen and sensitive for several hours or days afterwards, depending on their sensitivity to hair growth in that area and amount. Topical anti-inflammatories like hydrocortisone cream or aloe vera may provide some relief; Tylenol should also be available if pain or discomfort becomes an issue.
As part of your healing process, it is recommended to avoid all sun exposure – including tanning beds and lamps as well as any self-tanners or self-tanning products. Furthermore, other forms of hair removal such as waxing, tweezing and electrolysis should be avoided, since these methods remove hair above the skin, potentially leading to scarring and discoloration after laser treatment.
If you have undergone chemotherapy or radiation for cancer treatment, your skin is likely to be particularly dry and fragile; thus it is vital that you follow the post-treatment guidelines outlined above. Additionally, prior to commencing oncology treatments it is wise to discuss laser options with your physician so as not to cause complications that would compromise laser recovery and results.
Laser hair removal works by targeting the dark pigment of hair follicles and damaging them, in most cases permanently disabling them to grow hair again – though some will remain active and continue producing new follicles over time. Due to this fact, multiple laser treatments may be required in order to obtain visible and long-term results from laser hair removal. Some patients may require maintenance treatments in order to sustain the desired effects of treatment. If you’re seeking to reduce unwanted hair in your neck, armpits, legs or elsewhere on your body, contact Nease Cosmetic Surgery and arrange for a consultation appointment. Our team of skilled professionals will assess whether laser hair removal could help meet your aesthetic goals.
