Laser hair removal is an effective, permanent way of eliminating unwanted body hair. Our Cynosure Elite Nd:YAG laser can safely treat all skin types for safe results.
Your hair follicles cycle between growth and dormancy cycles, making removal an ongoing process that will require multiple laser treatments in order to be successful.
1. Avoid Shaving or Waxing
Before seeking laser hair removal, it is imperative that any area being treated remains shaved or waxed free for several days before scheduling an appointment. The laser must see hair follicles clearly to target them successfully; waxing or tweezing would pull out hair roots too deeply for its reach to work effectively. As such, many practitioners require you to shave several days prior to their appointments in order for effective laser treatment to take place.
Applying lotions, moisturizers or perfumes directly onto the area should also be avoided to allow the laser’s targeting of hair follicles without interference from excess layers of skin coverage. If necessary, take a bath prior to your appointment in order to wash away any creams and oils that could potentially cover up the treatment site.
As part of your treatment, it is normal for the area to swell slightly; to reduce this inflammation use a cold compress or pain reliever such as paracetamol. Also try wearing loose clothing so any irritated skin doesn’t rub against clothing causing further irritation.
After your treatment has concluded, it is essential that the skin fully heals before beginning again with shaving. Shaving too soon could result in scarring and hyperpigmentation if using an electric razor with an unsharp blade; using one with an ineffective or dull blade could do further harm to the skin.
Most individuals require multiple laser sessions in order to reach the level of hairlessness that they desire, with treatments typically spaced out between four and six weeks apart depending on your individual response. Therefore, it is advisable to plan these appointments as early as possible so you can fit them around other commitments.
2. Avoid Sunbathing
Laser hair removal relies on targeting pigment in hair follicles with laser beams, so it is vital that skin remains neutral color for effective results. Sunburnt skin may interfere with laser targeting as it makes it harder for it to distinguish between your natural pigment and that of hair pigmentation – it would therefore be wise to avoid direct sun exposure for at least a week prior to an appointment.
After receiving treatment, it is advisable that you avoid tanning altogether. Your skin will become particularly delicate after receiving laser therapies; any exposure to UV rays prior to your session increases your risk of side effects such as hyper-pigmentation, burns or scarring significantly.
Additionally, tanning can obscure the results of laser hair removal treatments; if your tan fades during treatment, more sessions than necessary will likely be necessary to remove hair effectively. Therefore, it is ideal to not have any tanning in areas being treated for laser hair removal; beach trips or long days in the sun should be scheduled throughout the year to minimize this possibility.
Before receiving laser hair removal on your arms, it’s a good idea to avoid taking baths or showers for about 24 hours prior to starting laser treatment, as hot water can cause hair follicles to absorb too much heat, which could hinder its effectiveness. If necessary, however, only use mild cleansers and avoid moisturizers or lotions on areas that will be treated. This step is especially crucial.
3. Avoid Removing Hair by the Roots
Lasers work by targeting pigment in hair follicles that absorbs light, then destroys it to stop future hair growth. Bleaching alters this pigment and makes it more difficult to target, therefore it is recommended that any individual seeking laser hair removal discontinue bleaching their locks six weeks prior to their appointment.
Before having laser hair removal done, it is advisable to shave the area 24 hours beforehand, in order for the laser to more accurately target and pinpoint hair roots. This will enable it to accurately target all necessary spots on the body that need treating.
Note that laser hair removal requires multiple sessions in order to achieve long-term results, due to hair follicles alternating between growth and dormancy phases. Therefore, it’s wise to schedule multiple laser hair removal appointments with Spring Street Dermatology in NYC in order to receive treatments over an extended period and keep hair from growing back.
Laser hair removal may not be cheap; in fact, it is the most costly form of hair removal available. Therefore, it is wise to treat laser treatment as an investment in both your appearance and well-being that could save money in the long run by eliminating razors or waxing services costs in future! Contact us to discover more on how we can give you a beautiful complexion that’s smooth with no trace of hair!
4. Avoid Removing Hair in the Growth Phase
Laser hair removal is an easy, noninvasive solution that uses safe wavelengths of light to destroy hair follicles and prevent them from growing again. This treatment method has proved more efficient than traditional methods for hair removal which are both time consuming and costly over time. But for optimal results from your laser treatment session there are some key points you should keep in mind to ensure optimal success.
As part of your preparation for laser treatment, it’s essential that you forego plucking and waxing in the area to be treated. Both treatments remove hair shafts that make it more difficult for the laser to find and kill the follicles. Furthermore, arrive at your appointment with your area shaved so the laser can more quickly find and destroy them.
Hair in its anagen phase can easily be seen above your skin and removed through shaving or depilatory creams. As soon as hair enters its telogen phase, however, it will slowly fall out over the course of days and no new growth will appear in its place.
Shedding is a natural part of life and should not be forced. Instead, allow each follicle to complete its cycle before transitioning to dormant status for optimal laser treatments results.
Even though it may seem counterintuitive, it’s crucial not to skip laser treatment appointments. Doing so could cause hair follicles to enter telogen phase prematurely and appear to regrow uncontrollably. Also important after laser sessions performed on your face: ensure sunscreen with SPF 30 protection is worn as soon as possible after exposure to sunlight for best results.
5. Avoid Removing Hair in the Dormant Phase
Laser hair removal can be more cost-effective and longer-term than shaving or waxing; it’s essential that you understand how it works and which factors could potentially impede results for optimal outcomes from this treatment.
Ideal, six weeks before laser hair removal treatment begins, you should refrain from plucking or waxing the area to be treated. This is due to these techniques removing hair above the surface rather than at its roots; thus sometimes missing entire follicles entirely. Instead, try products like Nair which only remove visible end hair, or shaving so that only growth phase hairs will be targeted by laser.
Your body’s hair follicles cycle every four to six weeks between active growth (the Catagen phase) and resting phases (Telogen phase). In order for laser treatment to be successful, most of your hair should be in an active growth stage such as Catagen.
Due to this reason, it’s crucial that the area in which you’ll undergo laser treatment be shaved prior to receiving it and to stay out of direct sunlight in the time leading up to your appointment. Furthermore, use topical anesthetic creams in order to numb the skin; additionally it would be wise not to wear any makeup or self-tanner as these may interfere with its effectiveness.
Laser hair removal does not work well on those with white, gray, or red hair since their pigment is too light for absorption by laser’s heat. Thankfully, other methods such as electrolysis exist as permanent solutions to reduce unwanted hair.
