Laser treatments “shock” your hair follicles by heating them with intense beams of light, damaging and destroying their structure in order to render new growth impossible in that location.
Laser hair removal requires multiple sessions (usually 8-12) on the body in order to be effective. Each session targets hairs in their anagen phase, which contain extra melanin that responds positively to laser energy.
What to Expect
Different factors will dictate the longevity of laser hair removal results, including your skin type and hair color. Depending on these and other considerations, you could experience either permanent results or have your hair return but in sparser and finer form than before.
Laser hair removal requires several sessions (typically 8-12) before any noticeable results become evident. This is because each hair grows according to its own cycle, and only those follicles in their active growth phase respond positively to laser treatment – two hair follicles adjacent each other may respond differently – possibly one responding well while the other not so much.
Preparation is also key when it comes to laser hair removal, and will have an impactful result. Shave the area to be treated before scheduling your appointment. In addition, avoid using any manual hair removal methods like tweezers or waxes in the week leading up to laser treatments – these may disrupt hair cycles and interfere with its results.
Another key element in laser hair removal is frequency of treatments. If too much time passes between laser hair removal sessions, your treatment area’s hair may shift from its dormant or shedding phase into active growth phase; when this occurs, laser energy cannot target and damage hair follicles effectively.
Your treatment session will involve sitting comfortably on a chair while the laser is applied to the treatment area. Most people report no discomfort during their laser therapy treatment session, however some pressure or tugging may occur as the laser moves across skin surfaces – the exact degree of discomfort will depend on personal tolerance levels and treatment area size.
If you are anxious about pain or discomfort during a laser hair removal session, we offer topical numbing options before your appointment. Once it’s over, all normal activities can resume immediately.
If you are curious about laser hair removal and would like more information, Metro Dermatology in Elmhurst is the place for you! Our long-term, effective results make us worth investing your time – contact us now and set up your consultation appointment – we look forward to meeting you!
Preparation
Your hair removal technician will give you a list of instructions in the days and weeks leading up to your session, in order to ensure a successful and optimal experience. Be sure to abide by their advice so that everything runs smoothly during treatment and achieves the best possible results!
One of the key pre-treatment requirements is not plucking, waxing or otherwise removing hair from its roots – something which should only happen during active growth phases such as anagen. Plucking and waxing remove roots from hair follicles making them untargetable by laser.
As with your treatment, sun exposure should also be limited in the weeks prior to laser sessions for similar reasons. Even minor sunburn can hamper its effectiveness; therefore, it is advisable to stay out of direct sunlight entirely for at least two weeks prior to going outdoors if possible; or at minimum wear sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 30.
Before arriving for an appointment, it is recommended to trim any hair that will be treated so it doesn’t extend past its target area too far. This will reduce pain experienced and also minimize risks of skin burns; depending on which laser device is being used, a cooling device or gel might also be provided as protection from its intense heat emissions.
As the laser destroys unwanted hairs, you may feel some discomfort as the treatment progresses. Following each type of treatment, however, redness and swelling in the treated area are quite normal, though this should subside within hours or days.
Once your series of sessions is over, it should stop growing in that targeted area for several years – however some hair may return due to hormonal fluctuations – but you can always come in for touch-up treatments to zap those stray follicles!
Laser hair removal is a safe, effective solution to permanently eliminate unwanted hair. If you would like more information on this innovative approach, reach out to Metro Dermatology in Elmhurst, NY now to book an appointment and let us help you achieve smooth, hairless skin! We look forward to helping you!
Treatment
Laser treatment entails using a powerful beam of light that penetrates the skin, targeting and disabling hair follicles with its heat energy absorbed from it, eventually leading it to shut down and fall out, rendering all remaining viable follicles nonviable, thus stopping their growth cycle, thus decreasing or even eliminating shaving or waxing altogether.
Reaching permanent hair reduction requires between three and eight sessions, depending on each person and their rate of hair growth.
After your first treatment session, you should notice an overall decrease in hair growth on the area being treated. This should continue throughout your plan of care.
Your practitioner will provide specific post-treatment care instructions based on the area treated, which may differ depending on its size and shape. In general, however, it is advisable to avoid tanning or sunbathing on treated areas in between laser sessions; this helps protect them from harmful UV rays that could potentially cause dark spots on skin.
Plucking or waxing treated areas should also be avoided to allow the laser to target hair follicles effectively. Shaving can still take place but we suggest sparingly only on areas that absolutely need it. A special electric razor designed specifically for hair removal should always be used, while shaving gels or foams may cause skin irritations.
As with most treatments, laser therapy sessions may cause some minor discomfort in sensitive areas; however, most do not find it to be painful; most frequently described as feeling like tiny rubber bands flicking at your skin.
Before your appointment, it is important to shave the area being treated. Make sure the hairs are as short as possible; waxing or plucking between treatments could potentially decrease results.
Before scheduling a laser hair removal procedure, it’s essential that you choose a qualified practitioner who meets certain standards of training, knowledge and skill to deliver safe treatments. Check that they are registered with an accreditation body such as BAAPS to confirm they meet these criteria – or check their social media pages as this may give an insight into how well they interact with clients and offer customer service. Never choose an unregistered practitioner as doing so can be hazardous.
