Laser hair removal has quickly become one of the more popular choices for treating unwanted hair, being quick, safe, and effective treatment compared to waxing, shaving or plucking.
For laser treatments to work effectively, they must detect the color in hair follicles; hence the necessity of shaving your treatment area prior to an appointment.
Cost
Laser hair removal can be an expensive procedure; however, in the long run it can save both time and money by eliminating the need for shaving, waxing and tweezing. The cost of laser hair removal depends on several factors including size of treatment area, number of treatments required to eliminate unwanted hair as well as your skin type, color and texture; The Vein Center at GBMC’s experienced staff will help determine whether laser treatment is right for you during an initial consultation visit.
Laser technology offers more than just hair removal; it can also treat pigmented lesions, small leg veins and other conditions affecting skin appearance. With its built-in Moveo technology, the Gentle Pro Series and Motus AY deliver both 755 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths of energy for treating lesions effectively; pulses at faster repetition rates allow greater patient comfort and clinical efficiency.
Laser hair removal typically requires six to nine sessions for effective results, as hair follicles sometimes go into dormant states and therefore cannot be seen by laser. Since it could take years before these dormant follicles reawaken and start producing hair again, touch-up maintenance treatments may be required periodically to keep results lasting.
Though laser treatments do not permanently eradicate hair, they can significantly decrease its growth and thickness while simultaneously inhibiting future hair regrowth. Therefore, it’s essential to follow the advice of your clinic, such as not shaving or plucking unwanted hair during treatment sessions.
Many clinics provide personalized laser hair removal packages designed to save patients money on laser hair removal services. When signing a contract for these packages, make sure you obtain an accurate quote so you don’t get any surprises later on.
Safety
As part of the laser hair removal procedure, you will receive protective eyewear to shield your eyes from its light. A cooling device will also be applied directly to the skin in order to ease any discomfort you might feel during treatment, which takes only approximately 30 minutes and does not involve any incisions or injections. Following each session you can go home and resume regular activities; any redness should fade quickly although if it persists longer you might benefit from using a cold compress or hydrocortisone cream in sensitive areas.
Before beginning laser treatment, your skincare practitioner will conduct an in-depth consultation to assess if you are suitable for it. This may involve an examination of both skin and hair to ascertain the best approach for you. It’s also important to discuss any medications you are currently taking that could increase light sensitivity or cause changes in pigmentation or texture of the skin.
Diode laser hair removal clinics feature safer than previous laser technology because its long wavelengths penetrate deeper into the skin to avoid epidermal damage or risk, making it ideal for darker skin tones that were often turned away from laser treatments in the past. Furthermore, its cooling device minimises any discomfort experienced from treatments as well as being compatible with tanning services and tanning beds.
Laser hair removal is generally safe for most individuals; however, it should be used with caution in individuals with dark tattoos or those who have been subject to light-induced skin disorders such as keloid scarring. Furthermore, some medications such as antibiotics or anti inflammatories may interfere with laser treatment and should therefore be avoided as possible.
To optimize your laser hair removal treatment, it is recommended that you shave or wax prior to each appointment. This will remove the surface layer of skin and provide an ideal target for laser light therapy, making the session more effective. It is also important not to create extra heat on your skin during treatment – meaning no exercise or sauna sessions on the day of your appointment; afterward you should apply soothing gel directly over the area treated and monitor it closely for signs of rash or blisters.
Effectiveness
Laser hair removal is an effective solution for eliminating unwanted body hair in specific areas. While epilation, which requires manual removal of individual follicles, may require time and effort, laser treatments target and disable hair growth at its source – leaving behind reduced or no hair in its desired location permanently.
Diode and Alexandrite laser hair removal options offer many different approaches. While Diode lasers typically feature longer wavelengths than their Alexandrite counterparts, making them better at targeting pigment/skin color without damaging or burning nearby tissue – proving particularly useful for darker skin tones.
Diode lasers feature higher power densities than other laser types and are best suited to treating larger areas with thicker or coarser hair, such as legs, armpits, bikini area or back. In addition, Diode lasers can be used on a range of skin colors and hair colors simultaneously.
Laser hair removal treatments are virtually pain-free. The laser machine comes equipped with contact cooling that dispenses cool air over the area before, during and after treatment to help reduce discomfort.
Patients who have a low pain threshold may need some form of anesthetic before beginning, to reduce any potential discomfort during the procedure, which usually lasts only minutes. Following treatment, however, their skin may become vulnerable and require protection from heat sources (such as hot showers and perfumed/scented bath products) for up to 48 hours afterward.
Most patients require three to eight treatment sessions on an ongoing basis in order to experience maximum benefits from laser energy treatment, due to how it destroys hair follicles. Furthermore, in order to experience lasting results it is recommended that these treatments continue over a long-term period and avoid exposure of treated areas to sunlight or tanning beds during treatment as long-term UV rays can damage skin permanently. For patients who experience sun allergies it may be beneficial to consult their dermatologist prior to receiving laser treatments.
Side Effects
Laser hair removal utilizes heat from a laser to heat and damage or destroy hair follicles responsible for hair growth, creating long-term effects much longer than shaving, waxing or depilatory creams. Laser treatments also tend to be less irritating for people with sensitive skin than other methods – so laser removal could be ideal if you suffer from irritation from other hair removal methods. When choosing an experienced clinic to complete this procedure at, inquire as well about any possible side effects or precautions needed before beginning this procedure.
Rarely, people with darker skin may experience crusty or blistered skin following laser treatment, usually as an allergic reaction to the laser itself. Topical creams may help alleviate irritation and swelling; additionally it’s best to refrain from plucking or tweezing after laser treatments to avoid ingrown hairs.
Permanent scarring is another potential side effect, although this should only occur under rare circumstances. Scarring may result from using an inappropriate type of laser or from improper implementation by inexperienced practitioners; EPI technology has proven much safer and more effective than older diode lasers in such cases.
Eye damage may be an additional consideration, and can be avoided by selecting a clinic which utilizes protective eye equipment during treatment. Furthermore, it’s advisable to avoid direct sunlight for several months after having undergone the procedure.
Some patients do experience hair growth following laser treatment, though it often comes back finer and lighter in color than before. Most patients require multiple sessions to see optimal results; those with certain medical conditions or expecting mothers should consult with an expert practitioner about any available solutions prior to making decisions regarding treatment options.
