Laser hair removal performed by a dermatologist is typically painless, often described as feeling like rubber bands snapping against your skin and much less uncomfortable than waxing or getting tattooed.
Some individuals may experience redness or swelling following treatment; this should subside quickly after applying ice packs to the skin.
1. Schedule a Free Consultation
Laser hair removal is an efficient and painless solution for unwanted facial or body hair, safe for almost all skin types, and offers long-term results when performed regularly. By eliminating the need to shave, wax, or use depilatory creams – saving both time and money – laser hair removal provides long-term results with only occasional touch-up treatments required to keep the hair from growing back again.
laser treatment differs from other hair removal methods by targeting and destroying the root of each individual follicle to permanently prevent its return – this means it usually takes longer for hair growth to return than shaving, waxing or other methods of hair removal. Our staff will assess your area of unwanted hair to create a personalized plan and offer two FDA-approved laser devices – Lutronic CLARITYII and Venus Versa(tm) IPL are among those available – for you to choose from during their consultation visit.
Preparing properly before beginning laser hair removal treatments is of utmost importance; failure to do so could result in less-than-desirable outcomes or even complete failure of treatment altogether.
Before your session, for example, it is recommended that the area be shaved so the laser can focus solely on targeting hair follicles without harming surrounding tissue.
Schedule sessions at regular intervals to achieve optimal results, and don’t miss or skip sessions; otherwise your hair follicles may not be damaged effectively due to being in their growth phase and not targeted by laser. Missed treatments or lack thereof could lead to your hair not being fully removed after each treatment session.
One factor contributing to poor results of laser hair removal may be your type of hair. Lasers do not penetrate blonde, white and gray follicles well; therefore it is recommended that individuals with light-colored locks consult a professional aesthetician prior to considering laser treatment as it could result in ineffective results.
2. Schedule a Refresher Session
Laser hair removal is an effective solution for permanently eliminating unwanted hair growth. The procedure employs a low-level laser that passes over the skin, dissolving hair follicles to leave behind smooth and hairless areas. Laser hair removal offers an alternative to shaving, waxing and plucking; in fact it can often be faster and less painful. Although results may differ depending on individual circumstances.
Hormonal factors can significantly impact laser hair removal results, including testosterone. Certain hormones encourage hair growth; men often have more facial and body hair than women do due to this, while polycystic ovarian syndrome also accelerates hair growth rates.
To ensure that laser hair removal treatments are as successful as possible, it is vital that regular sessions be scheduled. This will ensure all hair follicles are in their anagen phase so the laser can destroy them effectively. In addition, other methods of hair removal such as shaving, waxing and tweezing should not be employed between treatments as this could compromise its efficacy.
At your consultation, we will outline your treatment plan in detail and determine how many sessions we recommend, the length of each appointment and other details related to it. Depending on the size of your treatment area, treatment sessions typically last one hour for arms and legs while face/bikini treatments last 30 minutes or less.
Most people experience minimal discomfort during laser hair removal sessions; however, pain threshold can differ for each person. Some describe it as similar to snapping rubber bands against their skin while for others it feels similar to getting waxed. If discomfort becomes an issue during sessions we offer topical anesthetics to reduce discomfort during laser hair removal sessions.
3. Try a Different Treatment Area
Laser hair removal is an effective solution to address unwanted hair growth in various areas of the body. The procedure works by targeting pigment located within hair follicles responsible for growth; energy from a laser beam absorbs by this pigment and destroys it so that hair growth no longer occurs from that follicle. Laser treatments can be performed on arms, legs, bikini area, chin and even neck with most commonly treated areas being underarms, thighs and face.
As well as forgoing plucking and waxing of hair in the areas being treated, patients are advised to shave on the day of laser treatments in order to stimulate hair follicles into entering active growth mode and provide the ideal target for laser therapy.
While laser treatments often help people experience permanent reduction of unwanted hair, not everyone experiences optimal results from multiple sessions. If this is the case for you, consider moving the area of treatment instead.
Some parts of the body may be more difficult than others to treat with laser hair removal, including the chin or neck. This is because hair in these areas tends to be thicker and coarser than elsewhere on the body, plus neck skin is often susceptible to ingrown hairs and pseudo-folliculitis (hair follicle inflammation).
Consider that laser hair removal doesn’t work well with light-colored or gray hair, since these hues do not absorb laser energy as easily and may lead to skin damage from overexposure to light energy. As such, those with light or gray locks might not experience as good of results as someone with darker locks and skin would.
If your laser hair removal treatments have produced disappointing results, reach out to Dr. Michele Green in NYC to explore your options. Her practice offers non-invasive solutions designed to restore beauty and luster in skin; during your consultation she will work closely with you in creating an individualized plan tailored specifically towards meeting your specific needs and goals.
4. Schedule a Follow-Up Session
Laser hair removal works by targeting pigment in the skin to absorb energy that then destroys hair follicles, thus preventing future hair growth. For optimal results, multiple sessions spaced out several weeks apart should be taken. Likewise, different types of hair react differently when treated by the laser; blonde, white, and gray hued locks don’t respond as effectively due to lacking pigment; however technological advances have created devices capable of more effectively targeting these non-pigmented types.
Laser hair removal treatments tend to be quick and pain-free; many find it less uncomfortable than shaving or waxing. Individual tolerance levels will determine the degree of discomfort; some patients may require a numbing cream before beginning. It’s important to remember that laser hair removal isn’t permanent and will require follow-up maintenance sessions at least annually for full effectiveness.
To protect their skin and reduce potential side effects of laser hair removal, patients are advised to forego tanning beds and apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily in the weeks leading up to their laser hair removal session. In addition, it’s advisable to shave on treatment day to reduce skin irritation; furthermore they should refrain from plucking, tweezing, or waxing the area between treatments.
Before receiving laser treatment, patients are given protective goggles to wear to shield their eyes from laser light. A technician will shave the area being treated to remove any hair above the surface of skin and any existing above it; additionally, makeup, lotions, oils, deodorant or self-tanner should not be present as these could affect its effectiveness.
After laser treatment, some patients may notice some additional hair growth over the subsequent months. This is perfectly normal since hair grows in cycles and laser treatments only target active follicles; to minimize this side-effect, it is advisable to schedule a follow-up session prior to its full length reaching maturity.
