Laser hair removal is one of the most sought-after beauty treatments to permanently rid of unwanted hair, yet can seem intimidating if someone unfamiliar with its process tries it for the first time.
Here are five of the most frequently asked questions about laser treatment to make you more comfortable about booking your initial session!
What happens during laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal employs heat from a laser to destroy hair follicles that produce unwanted hair, rendering them incapable of growing new strands. Multiple treatments are often necessary in order to achieve results; though not permanent hair reduction, laser removal offers safer and less painful alternatives such as tweezing, plucking and waxing.
Your treatment session begins with a consultation, during which we assess your skin type and determine whether laser hair removal is suitable for you. Prior to beginning, a topical anesthetic will be applied to reduce discomfort during the procedure.
Before your treatment begins, it is recommended that you refrain from waxing and plucking the area, as these activities could cause the hair follicles to respond differently to laser light, potentially diminishing its effectiveness. Shaving is however acceptable and encouraged since it helps the laser find more easily where your follicles reside.
Select an experienced practitioner for cosmetic procedures for optimal results. Preferably, they should be registered as meeting set standards of training, skill, and insurance coverage.
What must I do after getting laser hair removal?
After treatment, you may notice that some hair has fallen out; this is completely normal and results from the destruction of hair follicles.
Restorative Gel or Lux MD moisturizing cream should be applied directly onto your skin after laser therapy to reduce redness and bumps caused by it. A cold compress or ice wrapped in a washcloth applied over the area also helps soothe pain and minimize swelling; alternatively you may take additional pain relievers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or anti-inflammatory drugs for added relief if required.
Avoid shaving, plucking and waxing the area after your appointment as this will lower its effectiveness and delay results. In between laser sessions it may be beneficial to exfoliate regularly in order to accelerate hair shedding while prepping skin for future treatments. Six or more laser sessions, spaced 4-6 weeks apart usually produces long-term results; maintenance treatments can be utilized if any re-growing hairs emerge despite initial efforts at removal.
Is there downtime?
Men or women looking for relief from shaving their legs, armpits or bikini area may find relief through laser hair removal treatments. This non-invasive solution targets specific areas that contain thick growths of unwanted hair. A concentrated beam of light is sent directly into the area being treated where pigment absorbs it as it converts it to heat energy that damages hair follicles to stop further hair production in future sessions.
Most laser hair removal treatments do not require any downtime; you can resume daily activities immediately following your session. While your skin may become red or swollen after treatment, this should quickly return to normal post-session. Your aesthetic professional will work closely with you to develop your treatment plan; including length of each appointment and expected number of treatments required before you attain desired results; in addition to discussing when permanent results will become evident from laser hair removal treatments.
When will I see the results?
Laser hair removal works by targeting concentrated light to damage hair follicles responsible for hair growth, making shaving and waxing unnecessary. Not only can laser treatments reduce or even eliminate these high-maintenance processes but can also alleviate skin conditions associated with unwanted body hair such as folliculitis and discoloration.
Most often, multiple sessions will be necessary in order to see permanent results; however, each treatment session is quick and relatively painless; most clients do not require topical anesthetic prior to their appointments with us.
Prior and after each treatment session, it is wise to avoid exposing the treated area to sunlight as this will ensure that laser is not targeting harmful rays that could potentially lead to burns.
Although both men and women can benefit from laser hair removal, the effectiveness of treatment depends on your hair color and skin tone. Laser light attracts to pigment in your hair; hence why its effectiveness increases for dark locks than for lighter or gray ones.
How long will the results last?
Lasers use heat energy to disable hair follicles and stop new growth, effectively stopping its appearance. A series of four to six weekly treatment sessions should reduce hair growth significantly; as cycles repeat themselves yearly touch-ups may be needed for optimal results.
Expect your skin to appear slightly red and swollen after treatment sessions; this should only last 1-2 days and you can use a cool compress to ease discomfort and inflammation. In order to maximize results from laser hair removal treatments, avoid using any sunless skin creams, waxing or plucking methods in the weeks leading up to your appointment.
Before opting for laser treatments, it’s essential that you discuss your medical history with your practitioner. If you take blood-thinning medication or suffer from health conditions that could impede on their effectiveness, alternative solutions should be explored instead of laser procedures. Also pregnant or nursing mothers must not receive laser treatments as this could jeopardize their pregnancy or nursing status.
What are the possible side effects?
Laser hair removal uses heat from a laser to target and destroy hair follicles responsible for unwanted hair growth, providing more permanent results than plucking, shaving, tweezing or waxing in terms of stopping new regrowth of unwanted hair. When performed by an experienced practitioner it can also be safe and comfortable process for most individuals.
Laser treatments typically result in some minor discomfort, similar to when a rubber band snaps against your skin. We can reduce this sensation using cooling equipment and selecting an optimal laser for your skin type; those taking antibiotics or having sunburn may be more sensitive to laser light treatments than usual.
Laser hair removal may cause redness and swelling for several hours after treatment; however, this should quickly resolve itself. When going outdoors it is wise to wear sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection to protect the skin against harmful UVA/UVB rays that could potentially cause irreparable harm such as wrinkles and discoloration in the future.
When is it safe to have my next laser treatment?
As an ideal rule, laser hair removal treatments should be scheduled every four to six weeks in order to maintain results and see optimal results.
Your dermatologist will let you know when it’s safe to have laser treatment. While the number of sessions may differ for each person, typically multiple sessions will be needed before seeing lasting results.
Laser treatment works best on hair with pigment, such as dark or pigmented shades of blonde or grey hair. Light blond or gray hues may not respond as effectively. Furthermore, if you suffer from hormonally-triggered hyperpigmentation such as melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation due to acne scarring or inflammation, laser hair removal is not advised as lasers cannot discriminate between pigmented skin areas and unpigmented hair strands.
Before beginning laser treatment, the area to be treated must be completely free from makeup, lotions, deodorant and body oils as these items can increase heat intensity of laser and cause burns resulting in blisters, scarring and other undesirable side effects.
What is the safety record for laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective procedure. As one of the top five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed in the US, it has an excellent safety record when performed by experienced and licensed technicians who have been trained on using the device safely. Before beginning treatments with any provider, ensure they are registered in accordance with industry standards for experience, skill, insurance coverage and knowledge.
Before scheduling a treatment session, it’s wise to avoid tanning, plucking or waxing as well as lotions and deodorants in the area being targeted.
Once you’ve received six to eight treatments, the effects should be permanent; however, you may require follow-up sessions every few months in order to manage regrowth. It is not advised to have laser hair removal while pregnant or breastfeeding and it shouldn’t be performed on sensitive skin or those taking medications like Accutane.
