Laser hair removal offers an effective and long-term solution to unwanted hair. It works by targeting dark pigment in your hair follicles and disabling them – eliminating all follicles responsible.
Laser hair removal does not work wonders for everyone; if your sessions haven’t yielded significant results, there could be various factors at work here.
1. Your Hair Is Too Dark
Imagine being able to wear the bikini of your choice without spending hours shaving every morning, leaving more time for fun with friends or taking your children to the park without worry over stubble! That is what laser hair removal offers; unfortunately it is not permanent so regular sessions must be attended in order for hair not to regrow again. If laser has failed in treating unwanted hair for you in the past but wasn’t successful for some reason then there could be many factors at work; here are a few.
Laser hair removal may not work effectively on those with dark hair or skin. The laser works by targeting melanin in hair and skin cells to absorb energy and convert it to heat; this destroys hair follicles responsible for hair production, stopping further production from happening. When too much pigmentation exists on either, light energy becomes absorbed instead of converted to heat by cells; making laser targeting difficult.
Before your appointment, it is wise to avoid plucking, waxing and electrolysis on the treatment area as these activities remove hair follicles and roots from the surface of your skin, making it harder for laser to target them. Furthermore, sun exposure may further darken skin tone, making treatment harder and making darker patches harder to treat with laser. You may use self-tanners or lotions with Sunless tanning properties to lighten skin tone as an alternative; many salons even provide skin bleaching creams for those with more intense tans.
As much as possible, try not to smoke or consume alcohol the day of and during your appointment as this can restrict blood flow to the area and make it more challenging for the laser to target hair follicles. Shave the treatment area beforehand so the laser can more quickly find hair follicles.
Before booking your laser hair removal appointment, ensure to research the practitioner thoroughly and check reviews from previous patients. No matter who you visit for laser hair removal, it is imperative that they possess extensive training in laser technology and can answer any queries that arise from treatment. Verifying their registration with a recognized body that verifies they meet set training and skill standards is also highly recommended to ensure you’re receiving top quality service and are minimizing risks of skin injuries or burns. Choose your laser treatments provider carefully as choosing the wrong person can spell disaster for your treatment process. If the results of laser treatment don’t meet with your satisfaction, don’t be intimidated into accepting their service; ask for a refund! You paid for it after all.
2. Your Skin Is Too Dry
Laser hair removal is a non-invasive, relatively painless solution for permanently eliminating unwanted hair. The procedure works by targeting individual follicles with laser light energy pulses to destroy their roots and render future growth unsustainable. Although generally safe for most skin types, results may not always come as promised if your body is too dry or you do not take appropriate aftercare after your treatment session.
As part of your treatment, it is recommended that lotions, deodorants and any other items on the area being treated be left out on the days leading up to your appointment. Furthermore, tanning may increase permanent scarring and discoloration from laser treatments on your face; tanning beds are best avoided altogether as their intense heat may leave permanent scars behind. Your aesthetician may suggest loose clothing such as sweatpants or joggers for comfort during sessions in order to minimize friction between treatments and your skin.
At times, the process can be painfully uncomfortable, but it’s important to keep in mind that any discomfort is perfectly normal and should subside within a short timeframe. Also important: following any instructions given by your practitioner. For instance, this could include using topical anesthetic or numbing cream before beginning. Failing which, the discomfort could extend much further – potentially even to where it disrupts sleep!
As with any laser treatment, patience is key when undergoing laser hair removal. Shaving or waxing can interrupt the natural hair growth cycle, leading to thicker and darker locks which will be harder to get rid of in subsequent sessions.
Tweezing, plucking or threading should also be avoided, as these practices can disrupt the growth cycle again and prevent hair from falling out. Instead, allow it to grow out until you’re ready for another session, at which point only surface-level hair should be shaved off.
While it is beneficial to moisturize after laser hair removal appointments, fragrance-free cream is best. Products containing alcohol or strong ingredients like retinol could make matters worse by irritating the skin further.
If your previous experiences with laser hair removal have been less-than-stellar, it might be time to search for a different practitioner. Certain technicians only possess basic knowledge about laser technology and could cause irreparable harm to your skin if given unprofessional services. Therefore, it’s wise to find someone with plenty of experience behind them.
Are you seeking baby-smooth skin without the hassle of traditional hair removal methods? Reach out to us now to discover more about our laser services! Our Cynosure Elite Nd:YAG and Alexandrite lasers will help you achieve permanent hair reduction, treating any part of the body.
3. Your Skin Is Too Oily
An appropriate level of oil on your skin is necessary for healthy and hydration purposes, but when sebaceous glands produce too much, this can lead to overly oily skin which makes laser hair removal more challenging. The best way to address this issue is through regularly cleansing and avoiding products with excessively oily content on them.
At the core of laser hair removal treatments lies an optical laser beam which targets pigments found in hair follicles to convert them to heat energy and destroy them. Therefore, prior to and following treatments it’s essential that there be limited sun exposure as heat from the laser could burn or discolor your skin, potentially disfiguring or altering its tone in unexpected ways.
Self-tanners and tanning beds should also be avoided prior to laser hair removal sessions, as their use could inhibit how effectively it works. Shave the area to be treated prior to each appointment so the laser can focus its beam solely on targeting hair follicles rather than surrounding skin cells.
People with oily skin can still benefit from laser hair removal, although more sessions may be required than with people without this condition. Hair growth happens in cycles, and the anagen phase should be targeted by laser. Otherwise, permanent destruction could occur.
As many factors can have an effect on the effectiveness of laser hair removal, working with an experienced physician and certified laser technician is paramount. An aesthetician will know how to prepare skin appropriately before selecting settings suitable for your unique skin type and hair color to optimize results and help achieve the look you desire.
Spring Street Dermatology’s board-certified dermatologists know just what you need for flawless skin, whether in SOHO, Tribeca or Uptown NYC – come get laser hair removal consultation today. Reach out online or call one of our offices and book your consultation now – we look forward to meeting you!
