Laser hair removal is one of the most permanent solutions for unwanted body hair. The process obviates depilation or waxing needs, while simultaneously decreasing pigmentation issues associated with hair growth.
People with dark hair and light skin are ideal candidates, as the contrast allows laser’s heat to vaporize unwanted hair without harming any nearby tissues.
Small Areas
Laser hair removal can provide comfortable and quick solutions to treat small areas such as the upper lip, chin, sideburns, fingernails and toenails and portions of the neck. Topical anesthetic is often applied topically prior to starting this treatment method in order to numb any discomfort that may arise; depending on which area it’s being performed on, four to six treatments may be necessary in order for optimal results to occur.
For optimal results, hair should be in its anagen, or growth phase. For best results, avoid waxing or plucking before getting laser treatment, and avoid tanning or sun exposure in the treatment area for two weeks prior to your appointment. The laser heat vaporizes pigments that coat hair follicles to damage them permanently preventing future hair growth; you may experience redness and swelling immediately post treatment which is expected. A cool compress or aloe vera gel may help soothe this area afterward.
Laser hair removal treatments for arms and shoulders have become increasingly popular. Both men and women often feel self-conscious about these areas that contain thick locks of hair; but laser treatments can quickly rid these spots of any unnecessary fuzz to reveal smooth and toned skin beneath.
An often-held misperception about laser hair removal is that it cannot work well on people with dark skin and dark hair; this assumption is untrue! Light skin combined with darker hair allows laser light to target individual follicles more efficiently, making this treatment suitable for most.
For those with very sensitive skin, topical anesthetic may be applied before laser treatment to minimize discomfort. Otherwise, laser hair removal offers an easy and convenient solution to achieve silky-smooth skin quickly! With long-term effects that won’t require painful waxing or shaving sessions again! Demand for laser hair removal has skyrocketed as women become increasingly self-conscious about the appearance of their bodies – increasing confidence while eliminating needless tweezing, shaving or waxing sessions! It is an effective yet safe treatment that can boost confidence while eliminating those painful activities necessary to achieve silky-smooth skin!
Medium Areas
Laser hair removal may still be a viable solution if you need to address medium areas that need treatment. During treatment, a light beam emits from a laser that targets and destroys individual follicles without harming surrounding skin – thus stopping future hair growth while creating long-term results.
Medium areas require smaller laser spot sizes than those used to treat small ones, enabling practitioners to be more precise when treating medium areas like the face/neck area, underarms or bikini line. A smaller laser spot size makes removing pesky neckbeards or ingrown hair between eyebrows much simpler with this treatment method.
Legs are another highly-preferred medium-sized area for laser hair removal, as this area is highly susceptible to ingrown hairs and other issues that should be prevented with regular sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart. For optimal results, at least six treatments should be scheduled for maximum results.
Laser treatments for unwanted chest and back hair removal are also widely utilized to address unwanted hair. While treatment may require extra maintenance, its results are generally long-lasting. When receiving laser therapy treatments in these areas, it’s best to limit sun exposure for prolonged periods and/or use broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen during treatment sessions.
2-3 days prior to laser treatments, any products which increase photosensitivity (such as retinols, vitamin C serums, and certain facial creams) should also be avoided in order to protect your skin from the light produced by laser. These items could make your skin more vulnerable than usual. Avoid shaving in the treatment area prior to attending your appointment for best results and to maximize effectiveness of treatment. Doing so may reduce skin reddening or irritation. For optimal outcomes, shaving must also be avoided in this area for maximum success. Before and after each of your sessions, it is recommended to exfoliate. This will give your skin time to recover naturally while minimizing risk of irritation – this is particularly essential if treating thinner areas like lower legs, chest or back.
Large Areas
If you want to remove hair from a large area of your body such as legs, arms or back using laser hair removal treatments, more treatments will likely be required than with small areas due to differing rates of hair growth across the body and because removing larger amounts requires additional treatments in order to disable all the follicles present there.
Repeated treatment sessions also improves results more permanently. When your hair follicles have been disabled they won’t produce new hair growth, eliminating the need for future touch ups or waxing sessions. Your new growth should also appear less densely and lighter.
A trained and licensed dermatologist will take great care in caring for your skin during treatment, wearing protective eyewear to shield your eyes from laser light, applying topical anesthetic to minimize discomfort, as well as adhering to pre and post treatment instructions such as avoiding sunlight or using broad spectrum sunscreens. Some individuals may experience redness and swelling post treatment.
No one’s pain tolerance is exactly the same, but most patients find laser hair removal extremely tolerable. Some compare it to having rubber bands snap against their skin or to having tiny bee stings pierce their skin. Treatment could last from minutes up to an hour depending on its size; and you might be back at normal activity immediately afterwards although your treated skin may remain slightly red and swollen afterwards.
Note that laser treatments cannot be administered on sunburned or recently tanned skin as this can make targeting hair follicles harder for laser treatment, leading to uneven results or even skin damage. Therefore, it’s recommended to wait at least six weeks prior to scheduling any appointment and avoiding tanning beds and using sunless tanninners, as well as plucking or waxing before scheduling your session.
Contact Us
Laser hair removal has quickly become one of the go-to solutions for both men and women seeking to reduce or remove unwanted body hair. It’s more comfortable and quicker than shaving or waxing alone!
Laser treatments work by absorbing energy from a laser beam onto pigments in hair follicles and destroying them – this prevents further hair production, leading to permanent hair reduction or removal. The procedure is safe, quick, and effective on most skin types.
While some individuals use at-home devices to eliminate unwanted hair, laser treatments from a dermatologist often deliver more effective and long-term results than at-home devices do. Furthermore, dermatologist devices are tailored specifically for each skin type and body area for more efficient and longer-term effects; at-home devices may present additional dangers, potentially leading to burns or hyperpigmentation of the skin if overtreated too heavily.
Visit a board-certified dermatologist in New York City to help determine whether laser treatment is suitable for you and create a plan tailored specifically to your goals. Not only can lasers remove unwanted hair, they may also be used to address acne or sun damage concerns.
Before beginning treatment, it is essential that you refrain from tanning and sun exposure for six weeks and always wear sunscreen when possible.
Keep in mind that laser treatments cannot work on tanned skin, and be aware that post-treatment redness and swelling may occur in the treated area. Also keep in mind how it works and that it will likely take multiple sessions before long-term results appear.
If you are interested in eliminating unwanted hair with laser treatment, reach out to us now so that Dr. Michele Green of her Upper East Side Manhattan dermatology practice can meet with you to provide top-of-the-line cosmetic and medical procedures. She has over two decades of experience offering her patients excellent cosmetic and medical procedures.
