Hair removal can be performed on virtually all areas of the body. We can discuss which sessions of laser hair removal would best meet your needs to achieve smooth skin without unwanted hairs.
Laser hair removal offers a convenient alternative to constant shaving and waxing! Six treatments may be required to completely eradicate unwanted hair.
Treatment Area
Laser hair removal targets the hair follicles in your skin and destroys them, rendering them incapable of producing new hair growth. Typically, six to eight sessions may be required to completely eradicate unwanted hair and reduce future growth; the number will depend on both the area being treated as well as its hair growth cycle; anagen, catagen and telogen are the three phases in which hair may grow back or shed for new growth respectively.
As overdoing laser treatments can cause discoloration and burns, it’s wise to schedule laser hair removal sessions with a qualified cosmetic dermatologist such as Dr. Michele Green of NYC who specializes in using the technology safely for your skin type. MedSpas or nonclinical facilities offering laser hair removal may not have as much experience or use lower grade lasers which could damage your skin instead.
Your dermatologist will assess the area you wish to treat during your consultation and create a tailored treatment plan to address it. Furthermore, it’s crucial that you heed any advice from your physician prior and following laser therapy treatments in order to reduce side effects and ensure a successful experience.
Waxing and plucking should be avoided in areas you wish to have treated, as these activities temporarily remove hair follicles, which could compromise results. Shaving prior to your first treatment session will make it easier for laser to locate hair follicles under the skin.
Your doctor will work with you to schedule treatments at four- to six-week intervals. After completion, most patients do not notice any hair regrowth in the treated areas, while when any does appear it typically becomes thinner and lighter in color.
For optimal laser hair removal results, touch-up sessions should take place every ten weeks at our offices and are tailored specifically to meet the needs of each patient. These visits will fit seamlessly into your schedule!
Skin Type
Laser hair removal requires that the pigment in your hair can absorb the light energy emitted by a laser, with darker skin tones more vulnerable to burns or hyperpigmentation as a result of treatment. Medical-grade lasers emit highly concentrated beams of light directed directly at hair follicles where melanin pigment absorbs this laser energy, altering it so it no longer produces hair and leading to permanent reduction. As a result, you’re left with smooth and hairless skin!
Timely laser hair removal sessions can help eliminate unwanted hair. Since hair grows in cycles and only about 20% is in its growth phase at any given time; type of hair also affects how long it will take for it to reach its end-of-life cycle; this is why multiple sessions should be scheduled at appropriate intervals in order to permanently reduce hair growth cycles.
Dr. Green will help you establish an ideal treatment timeline that works with both your schedule and desired cosmetic results during an initial consultation at her private dermatology practice in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood. She will recommend the number and duration of sessions required, which she can schedule accordingly.
Patients living with PCOS, the condition that causes excess facial and body hair growth, often require multiple laser hair removal treatments in order to achieve desirable aesthetic results. PCOS sufferers tend to have thicker, darker locks which can be hard to remove using traditional methods like shaving or waxing; after multiple laser hair removal sessions they can enjoy hair-free skin that looks and feels natural.
When selecting a dermatologist for laser hair removal, make sure they are board certified in their specialty and have extensive experience performing the procedure on your specific skin type. Furthermore, it’s best to avoid spas and salons offering laser treatments without doctor supervision; laser hair removal is an FDA-approved cosmetic procedure and safe when performed by qualified professionals.
Hair Growth Cycle
Hair growth cycles play a key role in how many laser hair removal sessions may be necessary. Compared to traditional methods that can be time-consuming and costly, laser treatments offer long-term and permanent reduction of unwanted hair from nearly any part of the body, including legs, arms, bikini line, back, chin and chest. At Spring Street Dermatology we use advanced Cynosure Elite ND:YAG and Alexandrite lasers designed specifically to treat all skin types quickly, safely and virtually pain-free.
Laser hair removal treatments involve targeting pigment in hair follicles with laser light to destroy it, leaving behind resting phase hair follicles without ability to produce new hair growth and eventually growing back lighter and finer with time. Dr. Michele Green can design a customized regimen tailored specifically for your unique needs and skin type.
Patients usually require between four and six laser hair removal treatments at regular intervals for maximum results. Some areas of the body, such as pubic areas or chins may need additional treatments than others.
Hair growth on the upper lips and chin area often arises as a result of hormonal imbalance, particularly for women who exhibit unwanted facial hair growth. When laser hair removal treatments are administered on this area, oral medications like birth control pills or Spironolactone may be prescribed afterwards to help inhibit future regrowth of unwanted facial hair.
Laser hair removal generally offers lasting results for most people; however, as with any hair removal method, some regrowth will occur at some point and some follicles may produce darker or thicker growth than before. Unfortunately, patients who have light colored or graying hair are not ideal candidates as the laser does not recognize pigment in their follicles and therefore cannot remove all their unwanted hair effectively.
Befor you begin laser hair removal treatment sessions, you should shave the area to remove as much hair as possible and limit sun exposure for two weeks prior to your appointment as this can affect pigmentation in your skin. Be sure to follow all pre and post treatment care instructions issued by your dermatologist as this could have an enormous effect on results and treatment success.
Laser Type
Laser hair removal involves emitting short pulses of light that destroy the pigment of unwanted hairs. It’s a relatively quick procedure; duration may depend on how large an area you need treated; treating an upper lip might take only minutes while dealing with something like your back could take over an hour.
After your procedure, you may experience redness or swelling in the treated area. Applying a cool compress or ice pack could help alleviate these side effects; direct sunlight should be avoided by using broad spectrum SPF30 sunscreen instead. Furthermore, some individuals may experience itching for several days after their procedure and in such instances using mild topical anesthetic may help ease itching symptoms.
The type of laser used in hair removal treatments is crucial as it determines both its success and any associated discomfort. There are various kinds of lasers used, but diode lasers are typically preferred due to being safe for most skin types and capable of providing high-powered treatments without damaging surrounding tissue.
When choosing which laser to use, several factors should be taken into account, including spot size and fluence. Spot size refers to the width of the laser beam while fluence measures how much energy is delivered during each treatment session – higher fluence means more energy reaches target follicles for more effective treatment results.
Before scheduling your laser hair removal session, it is recommended that you shave the area being treated. This will enable the laser to more quickly locate hair follicles and reduce discomfort. Also, six weeks should pass between waxing or plucking as these activities temporarily remove hair follicles, leading the skin to react differently with treatment.
Most individuals require six laser hair removal sessions in order to experience permanent hair reduction. Your dermatologist can assist in scheduling treatments at regular intervals for optimal results.
