Laser hair removal is a noninvasive cosmetic procedure that uses heat and light energy to permanently disable hair-producing follicles to inhibit future hair growth. It works best on dark hair because its darker hue absorbs laser heat more readily.
Your hair grows in cycles, with resting periods between periods of growth. In order to see results quickly and consistently, multiple sessions of treatment will need to be scheduled in order to achieve success.
Hair removal on any part of the body
Unwanted hair growth on any part of the body can be an ongoing source of irritation and inconvenience, often necessitating shaving, waxing or plucking to eliminate unwanted growth. You may have to select clothing carefully in order to hide areas with increased hair growth; laser hair removal reduces this need thereby saving both time and effort in terms of maintenance costs.
Laser light targets the pigment in hair follicles to destroy them, stopping the hair follicle from growing hair again and leading to significant hair loss in some individuals after only a few treatments; others will need many more sessions; before beginning therapy it is wise to discuss your goals with both a doctor or laser technician in order to get optimal results.
Preparing for your laser session requires forethought and consideration, such as forgoing certain beauty products like scrubs, retinol creams and glycolic acid. Furthermore, fake tanning or sunbed use should be limited two weeks before your appointment and if you have dark skin your doctor may provide cream to lighten before laser treatment commences.
For your own safety and that of others, it is recommended that people with sensitive skin use a topical anesthetic prior to receiving laser treatments. While some tolerate the pain well, others experience sharp sensations similar to an elastic band flicking their skin – pain levels vary between individuals depending on skin type as well.
Once the procedure has concluded, your skin may remain red and swollen for several hours afterward. You can reduce this discomfort by applying a cooling gel or ice pack. In order to facilitate recovery during this period, sunlight must be avoided at all costs; instead use broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen daily instead; additionally avoid products containing exfoliants.
Less time spent on hair removal
Laser hair removal is much quicker than waxing or shaving to eliminate unwanted hair growth. Your doctor directs pulses of light at each individual hair follicle during treatment; when this light hits your skin it converts to heat that destroys its contents – eventually stopping any further hair growth altogether. After multiple sessions your physician should notice an improvement in hair growth patterns.
Your doctor may apply a numbing gel to the treatment area before beginning, followed by protective eyewear to wear during your session. Some individuals may feel similar to when snapping rubber bands against their skin as the laser delivers light through its light beam; sessions for small areas (e.g. upper lip) may last less than one minute while larger areas such as back and legs could take up to an hour for completion.
During your laser hair removal treatment, you will be asked to move your skin in various positions so the laser can effectively target all hair follicles in the area you have targeted. In order to avoid unwanted side effects from treatment like tweezing, plucking or shaving of any sort prior to sessions. You should also avoid artificial and natural sun exposure prior and post session for maximum effectiveness of this method of removal.
Results from laser hair removal will depend on both your skin complexion and hair color. People with lighter complexions and darker locks usually achieve greater success; however, new technology offers solutions suitable for all skin tones and colors; so long as regular sessions are scheduled, your hair should become permanently reduced after three to seven treatments.
Less maintenance
Unwanted hair growth can be an inconvenience, forcing you to spend time shaving, waxing and plucking at it. Laser hair removal offers an alternative solution and gives your skin smoother appearance – but be aware that its results won’t last permanently; some regrowth may occur but likely be thinner and lighter in color than before.
Laser treatment uses heat emitted by a laser beam to eradicate hair and skin pigment. Darker hair absorbs this heat more readily and is consequently destroyed, while lighter locks and skin don’t. Because darker locks contain more melanin than their lighter counterparts, darker locks often respond well to this form of treatment; thicker locks also tend to absorb it better as these contain more pigment than thin locks.
Laser hair removal treatments performed by specialists are quick and relatively painless. After shaving the area in question and applying a numbing cream to reduce discomfort, most people require multiple sessions as hair grows in cycles; laser works best when the follicles are in their anagen stage of growth.
Once treatment has been completed, your hair may begin to slowly shed over several days or weeks – this might appear as new growth; but in actuality it’s just dead cells being shed by hair follicles. To minimize damage to treated areas of skin it is advised that sun protection be applied – this will protect from further sun damage while slowing regeneration of hair follicles.
Less risk of ingrown hairs
Hair growth can cause ingrown hairs, or ingrowns, which are small red bumps that form into whiteheads or pimples – known as folliculitis. Shaving and waxing often aggravate this condition by irritating the skin surrounding hair follicles; laser treatment has shown success at eliminating hair follicles so they no longer grow hair again, and reduce inflammation and itching caused by folliculitis. For ingrowns that recur frequently, regular exfoliation, moisturization and use of hydrocortisone cream can provide long-term prevention measures. Avoiding tweezing or shaving these areas can also aid this condition in its prevention.
People with lighter-colored hair – such as blonde, gray and white hues – tend not to achieve good results from laser hair removal due to melanin being poorly absorbed by their scalp’s melanin cells. Thicker locks tend to respond better due to having more melanin which absorbs heat more readily than finer locks.
At each laser hair removal session, a doctor will press a handheld laser instrument against your skin. You may experience pinprick-like sensations, which can be uncomfortable. In order to protect and reduce discomfort during these procedures, cooling devices or gel may be added onto the tip of the laser device or in your skin treatment package.
Laser hair removal provides lasting benefits that last months or years, with any hair that does regrow appearing finer and lighter in tone than before. To maximize results from treatment and protect yourself from premature aging, it’s recommended to adhere to doctor-recommended treatments which might include maintenance schedule of two to six visits; it also recommended limiting sun exposure with wearing sunscreen when outdoors; this will extend its effects as well as maintain them over time.
Less risk of scarring
Laser hair removal can significantly reduce or even eradicate unwanted body hair, but finding an experienced practitioner who understands their work is of the utmost importance if you have sensitive skin, to lower scarring risks. Also important is knowing when the results will appear as the process is relatively painless – most patients don’t even require topical anesthetic before treatment begins!
Following surgery, your skin may remain slightly pink or red for several days. To minimize scarring risks and increase its chances of healing properly, avoid any physical contact such as rubbing, scrubbing or picking at it during this time – any such activity will increase risk by leading to scabbing and scarring. Instead, moisturize it frequently and protect from sun exposure during this timeframe; should any signs of irritation arise contact your practitioner as soon as possible.
Most people require four to six treatments at four-six week intervals for optimal results from laser treatment. Before scheduling any laser sessions, it’s advisable to refrain from shaving, waxing or using any sunless skin creams or bleaching products in the area being targeted as this could disrupt hair follicles and make for less effective laser sessions. It will ensure your follicles are in their growing (Anagen) cycle during laser treatments for maximum efficacy.
Laser treatments not only reduce the number of hairs that regrow, but can also lighten them, making unwanted ones less visible to people with dark or blond locks. Furthermore, it reduces folliculitis and pigmentation issues caused by unwanted hair growth – this makes laser treatments especially helpful for pregnant women who experience hormonal shifts that cause additional hairs to sprout in unwanted places.
