Laser hair removal is a nonsurgical technique used to reduce or even eliminate unwanted body hair. It works by targeting and destroying individual follicles while leaving surrounding skin undamaged; typically conducted by trained technicians who may employ cooling devices or gel on the skin to minimize discomfort during the procedure.
It’s a medical procedure
Laser hair removal is an FDA-approved medically necessary and safe procedure that employs pulses of light energy to damage hair follicles responsible for growth. As an effective alternative to shaving or waxing, laser treatment often results in permanent hair reduction. If considering laser therapy as a viable treatment option for you, only have it performed by board certified plastic surgery or dermatology physicians who are experienced treating your type of skin type with laser treatments; additionally it’s wise to take note of personal health history since certain conditions could trigger adverse reactions during the procedure.
Expect some mild irritation following your procedure, though this should fade within hours. If discomfort continues, apply ice to the area or contact your physician about taking an anti-inflammatory drug to alleviate pain or inflammation.
A first session typically lasts 30-60 minutes, depending on the size and nature of the area being treated. You’ll be required to wear protective goggles while your practitioner administers topical anesthetic.
Once your initial session, subsequent appointments are necessary to maintain desired results. While treatment plans vary between individuals, most require six or more sessions for optimal outcomes. At your initial consultation appointment, your physician will review your medical history as well as discuss risks and benefits with you.
Laser hair removal should come with its share of risks, including blistering and skin darkening, particularly for patients with light skin who absorb laser heat more readily than darker-skinned individuals. Blistering and skin darkening have also been reported among those taking medications used to treat acne or herpes simplex virus.
Frequency and duration of laser treatments depend on your individual hair growth cycle, with optimal timing often occurring during spring or summer when hair growth is at its most active phase. Furthermore, sun exposure should be limited before and after laser procedures due to increased risks; use broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen daily as protection.
It’s a cosmetic procedure
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure that is generally safe, but it’s essential that you choose an experienced practitioner for treatment. When searching for non-physician practitioners to perform laser therapy treatments on you, ensure they are nationally certified. Certain states mandate physicians be certified in laser therapy – yet even this certification doesn’t ensure safety – cosmetology licenses teach only how hair grows and equipment usage while nationally certified pros like Berenice S Rothenberg have more practical knowledge and experience that isn’t found through cosmetology licenses alone.
An experienced technician will assess both skin and hair color to select the ideal laser type, helping avoid unwanted side effects such as lightening/darkening of skin color, blistering or scarring. Furthermore, to reduce discomfort before treatment is administered numbing is often advised prior to laser use.
Some individuals require multiple sessions to achieve total hair reduction; however, most will experience permanent reduction after just a few months of regular sessions that are less painful than shaving and waxing. Furthermore, this method could save money over time by eliminating the cost associated with purchasing razors and shaving cream.
Laser hair removal works by targeting individual follicles to produce hair and permanently damage them, thus stopping future hair growth. Depending on your type of skin, treatment may feel like multiple stings or rubber band snapping against it; redness and swelling may follow as a result; additionally, after laser hair removal treatments it’s essential to stay out of direct sunlight and wear an SPF30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen for best results.
People with darker skin may require additional treatments than those with lighter skin because laser can damage and permanently scar the skin. A dermatologist can provide assistance by choosing a more gentle type of laser and following strict medical protocols when administering treatment.
It’s a nonsurgical procedure
Laser hair removal is an effective solution to unwanted facial or body hair growth. The procedure is relatively painless and safe; working by dissolving pigment from hair follicles that produce unwanted hair. It is essential that a doctor qualified in performing laser treatments be selected; their training must demonstrate proficiency while they must also be listed on an official register as meeting certain standards for safety and skill.
At first, an anesthetic cream may be applied to reduce discomfort. Next, they will use a handheld laser device against the skin in order to damage hair follicles that grow beneath it, thereby inhibiting further hair growth. The procedure takes only minutes per area and can be done on faces, arms, back or legs; areas may appear slightly red or swollen following laser treatment but this should subside within hours; sunlight should be avoided immediately post treatment to protect the skin further and ensure maximum effectiveness of treatment results. Some individuals may notice changes in skin color due to laser treatment – particularly those who have light hair in combination with dark skin will see this change occur as their hair grows in response to laser treatments which pass through their skin color changes slightly post treatment due to laser light passing through their skin color changes slightly after laser treatments; especially those with light hair in combination with dark skin tone becoming visible after laser treatment resulting from laser treatment due to light hair growing beneath their skin color changing slightly after exposure after laser treatment has taken effect on light hair while dark skin to begin with light hair growing out from beneath their owning their owning their owning them both as their bodies have changed slightly post laser treatment, especially if their complexions change after sun exposure to UV light exposure after having received laser treatment as their skin color changes slightly after UV exposure to sunlight exposure after sun exposure during their session with light hair against dark skin are likely notice an altered skin tone change after laser therapy treatments due to changes occurring following treatment; it might take compared to before or have lighter locks! – particularly noticeable after exposure due to UV – when exposed exposed after treatments against light skin to change!
Permanent hair reduction will result from this procedure in most areas, but not all. Follicles that are actively growing will be destroyed, while those resting or shedding will regrow hair at some point; that is why multiple treatments need to be performed every 4 – 6 weeks for optimal results.
Before undertaking electrolysis or waxing procedures, it’s wise to discuss all available options with a dermatologist. They will provide insight as to whether or not the results meet your expectations; additionally they may suggest other means of dealing with unwanted hair growth such as electrolysis or waxing.
Many conditions that could benefit from laser hair removal include hirsutism – excessive facial and lower abdominal hair growth in women – and hypertrichosis – abnormally thick, coarse or dark hair growth. Other conditions that could also be treated through this procedure include psoriasis, folliculitis and ingrown hairs.
It’s a painless procedure
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure that utilizes pulses of laser light to destroy hair follicles that grow unwanted body hair, with much less pain than shaving, tweezing or waxing and often results in less future hair growth. Before considering laser hair removal it’s important to be aware of its risks including skin damage, scarring and UV ray exposure post procedure – you should avoid sun exposure afterward for best results.
At the start of your laser hair removal experience is a consultation to assess whether or not you’re an ideal candidate. A medical practitioner will discuss your expectations and explain your treatment plan; in addition they’ll gather medical history. Having PCOS may interfere with its outcome – your doctor will note this factor and adjust their plan to accommodate it.
Before your treatment begins, your practitioner will shave and apply an anesthetic cream or gel. They then attach a handheld laser instrument directly onto your skin and direct it at hair follicles in an effort to reduce hair growth by targeting their follicles with laser light beams; this causes hairs to fall out as well as prevent future growth. You must wear goggles during this phase in order to safeguard your eyes from laser beams.
Based on the area being treated, multiple treatment sessions may be necessary in order to achieve desired results. This is because most hair follicles only remain active in one area at a time whereas resting or nonexistent follicles exist elsewhere on your body, necessitating four to six weekly visits for optimal treatment results.
Laser hair removal can be a costly out-of-pocket expense, however consult your dermatologist about available package options and flexible payment plans. It is best to select a doctor with experience performing laser hair removal – some specialize in plastic surgery while others focus on dermatology; be wary of spas, salons or facilities where nonmedical staff performs such treatments.
