Hair growth can lead to ingrown hairs – small solid bumps that penetrate the skin and become embedded within it – often occurring on both women and men alike.
Laser hair removal effectively tackles the source of hair growth – the hair follicle. By doing so, laser treatment prevents future production and eliminates ingrown hairs as well as any associated problems. This solution eliminates ingrown hairs as well as other potential side effects related to growth.
How Does It Work?
Laser hair removal is a noninvasive cosmetic procedure that uses laser technology to destroy hair follicles, which prevents further hair growth and can stop ingrown hairs from emerging. This procedure is generally safe and does not cause discoloration of skin; however, it’s essential that patients follow all preparation and aftercare instructions carefully for optimal results.
Finding an experienced doctor for laser hair removal is essential. Salons, spas and other facilities that permit nonmedical personnel to perform laser treatments could result in unpleasant experiences and complications; for the best experience possible it is wise to visit an established board-certified dermatologist such as Dr. Michele Green in New York City who has over two and half decades of providing cutting-edge noninvasive cosmetic procedures available today.
Before beginning laser treatment, it is best to shave the area where it will take place the day prior. This helps minimize surface skin damage caused by burnt hairs. Waxing, plucking and electrolysis should be avoided six weeks before, since these procedures could inhibit its ability to target hair follicles effectively. Furthermore, sun exposure should be limited both before and after sessions as laser can render your skin more susceptible to UV rays.
Laser hair removal may cause thicker, darker hair growth in a nearby area of your face or body – known as paradoxical hypertrichosis – which could resolve itself after multiple treatments, or you can manage this condition further with additional therapies.
Irritation after laser hair removal typically lasts only briefly; however, it may continue for up to 24 hours or more. A cold compress or taking a cool bath may help relieve redness and swelling; additionally, using facial moisturizer may soothe skin irritations further. Some individuals may also experience skin crusting following treatment which typically resolves itself over time but occasionally leads to more serious effects like scarring.
As part of your laser hair removal treatment, it’s crucial that you adhere to the aftercare instructions from your dermatologist in order to maximize its efficacy. This may involve avoiding hot tubs and saunas and using moisturizers and face mists with SPF 30 sunblock on any areas treated during treatments. In addition, sun protection should always be limited by using broad spectrum SPF30 sunscreen on treated areas.
What Are the Side Effects?
Laser hair removal is generally safe when performed by trained practitioners; however, side effects may include discoloration of the skin, permanent loss of hair color and scarring; it is therefore crucial that aftercare instructions be strictly adhered to in order to minimise risks of such side effects.
The type of laser you choose for hair removal will influence both how often and what results you will experience, as well as its success. Hair color, the area being treated and skin tone all play key roles; for instance those with lighter locks won’t experience as dramatic an effect from laser treatment; in order for laser light to identify pigment in both their skin and the hair pigmentation effectively.
After laser hair removal, your skin may become red and swollen for some time after treatment; this is normal and should subside within several hours. Ingrown hairs may form due to damaged follicles; however, most can be easily removed with tweezers.
Your treatment site may experience irritation that lasts several days after the procedure has taken place, which should be minimized by avoiding irritating it and allowing any crusting or scabbing to form naturally without trying to remove it yourself. Apply aloe vera several times daily instead, as well as refrain from hot baths, steam showers and saunas or wearing tight clothing in this area of treatment.
If you experience any serious or persistent side effects following laser hair removal treatment, speak to the practitioner who administered your session immediately. They may refer you to either your GP or A&E unit for additional advice; most side effects will subside within one or two weeks on their own – with pilonidal cysts being one such possible issue that can form around your genital area.
How Long Will It Take?
Laser hair removal is not an immediate fix; typically two to six treatment sessions will be necessary, depending on your skin type and area being treated. Initial sessions might cause temporary redness or irritation in the area being treated; this discomfort can be alleviated with moisturizers and cold compresses; hair follicles killed by lasers will eventually shed, leading to additional hair growth post-treatment sessions.
Hair follicles that have not been destroyed by laser treatment will still produce new hair, though it will likely be much thinner and lighter in color than before. That means you likely no longer need to worry about ingrown hairs as the hair will likely not penetrate your skin’s surface and become trapped underneath it.
As your hairs that remain will be much finer, they may go undetected as they grow back. However, it’s important to keep up with maintenance of hair removal, with touch-up treatments every four to eight weeks for best results.
Pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant should avoid laser hair removal as this could impede their reproductive efforts. Consult your physician prior to any laser hair removal treatment as well as any potential health concerns or medications taken that could interfere with it.
An experienced laser practitioner should perform laser treatment safely, however there may be the risk of scarring from using too much heat or improper techniques. Most qualified practitioners attempt to limit how much heat they use while taking steps not to damage tissue.
Shaving is one of the main sources of ingrown hairs, though other methods such as plucking or waxing may cause them as well. Laser hair removal may help alleviate them as it removes dead skin cells that contribute to them clogging pores and becoming ingrown hairs; however, it does not prevent further instances from appearing elsewhere and it must be monitored frequently by exfoliation to make sure the hair follicles don’t get blocked again.
How Much Will It Cost?
Laser hair removal is one of the most cost-effective solutions to permanently eliminate unwanted hair, yet its cost varies from clinic to clinic. Most practitioners provide written quotes before beginning treatments that outline all costs involved – this may include office visit costs, topical anesthetic injections to ease pain relief during procedure and the cost of laser treatment itself. Prices also depend on what area or complexity of treatments will need to be carried out.
Laser hair removal can provide relief for ingrown hairs that cause pain and infection, which are hard to treat at-home using methods like shaving and waxing alone due to being difficult to reach and manually removed by treating their source – dead skin cells, oils and hair becoming trapped underneath the surface of skin. Laser treatment eliminates this source ensuring ingrowns do not come back. Ingrowns form due to dead skin cells becoming trapped beneath skin surface layers causing trapped dead cells, oils, hair folliculitis which cannot be solved using at-home solutions such as shaving or waxing alone due to inaccessible areas involving hard to reach ingrown hairs being manually removed by hands of professionals.
Ingrown hairs typically form at the roots of hair follicles and can be painful to remove. With laser treatment, however, your practitioner will use a cooling device to reduce discomfort as the laser passes over the surface of your skin. Treatment typically only takes minutes for small areas like upper lips; larger ones such as backs may take more time.
After your procedure, some redness and swelling may arise after treatment, however this should resolve in a few hours. It is best to limit sun exposure and tanning beds until your skin has completely recovered; additionally it’s a good idea to apply moisturizer with Salicylic Acid in it to help avoid ingrown hairs as this will dissolve dead skin that contributes to their formation.
After several laser treatment sessions, ingrown hairs should no longer be an issue, saving both time and money by eliminating the need for shaving, waxing or other depilation techniques such as threading. It will also alleviate skin conditions caused by hair growth such as folliculitis or discoloration – which both contribute to ingrown hairs.
