Laser hair removal is a more comfortable method than shaving and waxing for hair removal. While not completely painless, most people compare its effect to that of rubber band snapping against your skin.
Laser hair removal results may require multiple sessions before becoming visible, making it essential to stick with your treatment schedule and attend all scheduled appointments.
1. Hormones
Laser treatment offers long-term hair removal solutions. Laser beams use high heat temperatures to directly target hair follicles and disable their production, effectively stopping new strands of hair from growing back in. Compared with tweezing or waxing which only remove the surface layer, laser hair removal works deep within your follicles to target their production of new hair strands – so the results of laser hair removal may take several sessions before significant differences become noticeable.
Certain hormonal conditions can impede your ability to get the most from laser hair removal treatments. Men naturally have higher testosterone levels which may lead to greater facial and body hair growth; however, estrogen acts as a balancer and prevents men from having as much facial and body hair as women do.
Other hormones that could compromise laser hair removal results include polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), acne, difficulty losing weight and irregular menstruation as well as having a family history of hirsutism. Women experiencing hirsutism may also be prescribed birth control pills to alter their hormone levels further and impact results of laser hair removal treatments.
Dependent upon hormones and other factors, you could require up to six laser hair removal sessions before seeing full benefits of treatment. A laser can only target hair follicles during their active phase; otherwise they won’t be targeted and will continue producing hair growth.
If your results haven’t met your expectations after just a few treatments, be sure to schedule regular appointments. Too long of an interval between visits could cause hair follicles to transition from the growth phase into transition or telogen stages; additionally it’s essential not tweezing or waxing between laser hair removal sessions as this prevents laser treatment from working effectively as the laser must target visible roots of hair for effective targeting by laser treatment.
2. Irritation
Laser hair removal is one of the most permanent ways to get rid of unwanted body hair, while alleviating related conditions like folliculitis and discoloration. Furthermore, it’s much faster than shaving, depilatory creams or waxing – eliminating their cycle of regrowth (spending less time waiting for your breasts to grow back!).
Laser hair removal works best on those with dark, thick locks since lasers target melanin pigment in both their hair and skin. White or gray locks may be harder to treat because the light doesn’t absorb as well in those areas; those with tanned or very dark complexions should consult a practitioner regarding whether laser treatments would suit their complexions.
As part of laser treatment, it is important to avoid other methods for hair removal such as tweezing, waxing or picking at the area during treatment as these could interfere with its effectiveness and lead to missed hair follicles being affected by laser. Furthermore, be cautious of applying any sunless tanning products as these could interfere with how your skin reacts with laser treatments.
Prior to your treatment, it will be necessary to shave the area you intend to treat with razors or shaving gel; neither are effective in removing hair beneath the skin’s surface. Waxing is out as that removes both hair roots and their source preventing laser treatment from finding them.
Painful but generally more tolerable than other temporary hair removal techniques, the treatment feels similar to being stung or having rubber bands snap against your skin. If you have very sensitive skin, practitioners may prescribe numbing cream in order to reduce discomfort during treatment sessions; sessions typically last a few minutes for small areas and up to an hour for larger ones; post-session, your skin may feel slightly tingly and burnt but should return back to normal within hours.
3. Ingrown hairs
Ingrown hairs can be uncomfortable or even painful to the touch. They occur when hair that’s been removed (through shaving, tweezing or waxing) begins growing back in instead of outward and curls into the skin instead of growing outward, creating ingrown hairs. The condition is more prevalent among black people with curly locks that tend to grow closer to their bodies than others; and improper shaving techniques or use of razor blades that are too rough against skin may only serve to worsen its severity.
Ingrown hairs can be treated by either gently tweezing out each individual hair or applying an exfoliant to the affected area. For deeper ingrowns, it may be possible to use a sterile needle – however this must only be performed by qualified practitioners. Mild cases usually resolve on their own; otherwise consult your physician or dermatologist for options for treatment.
Laser hair removal works best on dark hair against light skin, as the contrast helps the hair absorb heat more easily from the laser. Unfortunately, it’s less effective on blonde, gray, or red locks because their lack of melanin makes absorption harder for the laser to manage. Furthermore, this treatment does not work on very coarse or textured locks which might prove too tough for penetration by its laser beam.
Laser hair removal takes time, as hair must be in its Anagen growth phase in order for it to work effectively. If you miss an appointment, the hair will move into its Telogen growth stage instead, giving an appearance of ineffective treatment.
Avoid this from happening by scheduling regular treatments as directed by your practitioner, especially if you have thick or coarse hair. Multiple sessions may be necessary in order to reach desired results; you should avoid tweezing, plucking or waxing in between treatments as this could lead to ingrown hairs forming and tanning can damage skin and inhibit the effectiveness of laser hair removal treatments.
4. New hair growth
As with most women, body hair grows quickly. You may rely on temporary methods for hair removal such as shaving (which leaves your skin feeling and looking like that of an ancient caveman), depilatory creams that smell horrendously or waxing (a painless affair that still regrowths within two to three days).
Permanent hair removal methods like laser, IPL and LHE are designed to destroy hair follicles and prevent new growth, with optimal results being obtained when treatments occur when your anagen phase hair is active.
As such, we advise patients not to shave, tweeze or wax the area they wish to treat until their treatment course has concluded. Shaving and waxing remove hair above the surface that cannot be targeted by laser therapy; with one exception being when directed by their dermatologist if shaving between treatments will allow the laser to target Anagen phase hair growth.
If you do shave between laser treatments, ensure you shave as near to your scheduled treatment date as possible so the laser has ample opportunity to target hair follicles before they enter a transition or Catagen phase where they no longer produce new hair growth.
Make sure you follow your dermatologist’s preparation instructions for laser hair removal, including avoiding sun exposure and tanning, removing facial or underarm hair, as well as keeping the area free from eyelash or pubic hairs. Also avoid certain topical medications and products, like retinoids which could potentially lighten skin pigmentation or cause other adverse side effects.
Finally, your dermatologist must be knowledgeable of the procedure and have access to cutting-edge laser technology. Without access to advanced laser equipment in their clinic or med spa, it may be hard to see results that you desire; in such a situation it is wise to contact your dermatologist as soon as possible for consultation. If this occurs for you please reach out immediately as it could mean getting lost results that way.
