Laser hair removal is an effective solution to curb unwanted hair growth, working by targeting its roots and disabling them with heat energy.
Laser hair removal will not give permanent results as hair will eventually regrowth; however, the new growth may be lighter and slower growing than before treatment.
Causes
Laser hair removal involves targeting an unwanted area where unwanted hair is growing with light energy, heating the melanin in hair follicles to stop their activity, thus freeing existing and producing new ones. Results vary between people as their bodies react differently and hair grows in cycles; anagen-phase hair follicles are most susceptible to laser destruction than catagen or telogen phases follicles.
Laser energy penetrates an individual’s skin, damaging hair follicles and surrounding tissue, leading to redness, swelling and itching in the area. Although symptoms may persist for up to several days after treatment has taken place, most cases resolve without major problems or side effects.
Laser damage to hair follicles is known as thermal denaturation or vaporization, occurring when heated melanin causes cell structures to change enough that hair releases, pores close off, and/or produces chemicals which make follicles unresponsive to stimulants that promote hair growth.
This process can be repeated for other hair follicles in their anagen phase. With repeated treatments, follicles become damaged and eventually destroyed; then they stop producing hair altogether or produce much lighter and less noticeable growth afterwards.
Skin color and hair color play an integral part in how well laser treatments work for each individual. People with darker skin tones and darker locks may require multiple sessions before laser hair removal is successful, so it is wise to refrain from shaving, waxing, or plucking prior to laser treatments sessions. For optimal results, individuals should have regular sessions every four or six weeks for at least six treatments at our New City medical spa; our experienced team has all of the expertise required for fast and efficient laser hair removal treatments.
Symptoms
Laser hair removal utilizes laser light to permanently disable the growth center of unwanted hairs, offering an in-office procedure safe for all skin types. It is advised to refrain from plucking, waxing or tweezing unwanted hair for at least six weeks prior to treatment so the laser can target its roots without disturbing other parts. It is also important to limit sun exposure as exposure may interfere with its effectiveness.
Laser treatments use an intense beam of light that targets and heats pigment molecules within your hair follicles. When these follicles absorb this heat, their cells become damaged and are no longer capable of growing hair; multiple sessions are usually necessary to achieve near-permanent hair loss. It works best on people with dark hair and light skin because this allows their follicles to more readily absorb laser energy.
Laser hair removal can be quite unpleasant for some individuals; some describe the sensation as likening it to being stung. A cold compress may help ease discomfort. After treatment, skin may appear red or swollen but should not remain painful or blistered for extended periods.
Laser hair removal should not be performed on an area until after it has completely recovered from treatment, while using sunless tanning products should also be avoided for at least six weeks post-treatment to protect the follicles and reduce further damage. Indirect sunlight exposure should also be limited.
After your treatment, you should notice hairs that appear lighter and thinner than before, typically being shed off naturally by your body. Repeated treatments may lead to permanent hair reduction; though unwanted hair will still grow back eventually, it should likely be finer and less visible than previously.
Scarring may result from laser hair removal treatments if they were performed incorrectly, which is why it’s best to entrust only qualified professionals with your treatment.
Treatment
Laser treatment employs high-heat light to disable hair follicles so they cannot generate new hairs, effectively disabling new growth from happening. Light from laser treatment travels down the hair shaft until reaching the root of a follicle where heat generated destroys it causing its destruction and subsequent hair fallout; over several sessions most people see their hair fall out, with any new growth typically appearing lighter, thinner, and growing much slower than previously.
During the procedure, an anesthetic cream is applied to the surface of skin being treated. Patients are encouraged to shave any areas on their face or body where treatment will take place prior to attending their appointment, as shaving will remove surface hair that could absorb laser energy and cause skin damage from its heat. Furthermore, patients should avoid applying darkening creams a few days beforehand as this could interfere with laser’s ability to target hair follicles for destruction by disrupting laser technology.
Hair color and skin complexion have an impactful relationship when it comes to how effective laser hair removal treatments are for each individual person. Lasers tend to work best for people with light complexions who have dark hair due to the contrast between skin tone and pigment arrangement; this allows the lasers to more efficiently target and destroy follicles while avoiding tissue surrounding it. People with light-colored or strawberry blond or white locks may require multiple sessions since their lighter hue doesn’t absorb as much laser energy.
Laser treatments vary considerably in their effectiveness based on the type of laser used to administer them, with diode lasers being particularly popular for hair removal treatments. With its sapphire tip serving to cool the surface of skin during treatment and thus reduce risk of epidermal damage from excessive laser heat exposure. It is best advised that only qualified professionals use diode lasers in order to get optimal results from treatments using this laser type.
Prevention
Ingrown hairs can be both uncomfortable and unsightly. They often leave red, swollen bumps that resemble pimples called folliculitis caused by hair follicles clogging with hair follicles rubbing against your skin. While Ingrown Hairs is common among both men and women, both facially and bodywise; both genders can experience this condition which often spreads throughout their bodies causing pain. Laser Hair Removal offers an effective solution to treating ingrown hairs while decreasing risk of future infections recurring.
Hair follicles absorb sunlight, rendering them susceptible to the heat from laser beams. In laser treatment, a pulse of light is directed at pigment cells within hair follicles to damage them and stop future hair growth. Depending on your skin and hair color, multiple laser sessions may be required until all follicles have been effectively destroyed.
Before attending your laser treatment session, it is best to avoid waxing or shaving the area as this allows hair follicles to absorb light from the laser more readily. Furthermore, it would be prudent not to apply products designed to lighten skin such as sunless skin creams before your session.
As with any treatment, discomfort may arise following the procedure; especially within the first several hours following it. If you develop any signs of allergic reaction such as rashing or other forms of discomfort after receiving the treatment, contact your dermatologist immediately as they may prescribe topical steroids to soothe your skin.
Laser hair removal is generally safe. To ensure optimal outcomes, however, it’s essential that you discuss your medical history and any preexisting conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease with your healthcare provider before beginning laser treatment.
Are you tired of shaving and waxing to get rid of unwanted hair? Metro Dermatology in Elmhurst, NY offers laser hair removal to permanently eliminate this pesky problem and the associated risk of ingrown hairs. After just a few sessions of laser hair removal at Metro Dermatology in Elmhurst, NY, your skin will look smooth without the hassles associated with shaving or waxing!
