For optimal laser hair removal results, it is best to avoid waxing or depilatory creams between treatments, and always shave prior to any appointment.
Treatment works best on those with dark hair and light skin, though tanned or bleached skin is less responsive, while treating very dark or black hair may prove challenging.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser hair removal uses heat generated from laser beams to selectively destroy hair follicles, stopping their future hair growth. It is safe for all skin tones and types – including darker complexions with thicker locks – and long-term effects can even last permanently; though regrowth may occur on certain parts of the body over time.
To achieve optimal cosmetic results, it is vital to follow a regular hair removal schedule. Patients should refrain from shaving or plucking in between treatments as this could interfere with laser’s ability to target pigment and destroy unwanted hair follicles. Furthermore, individuals should limit sun exposure prior to and post laser hair removal treatment.
Transitioning patients can still benefit from laser hair removal; however, they should seek advice from an experienced board-certified dermatologist such as Dr. Michele Green to create a treatment schedule tailored specifically to their changing hormone levels.
Laser hair removal uses light waves emitted by a laser that aim at targeting pigment in unwanted hair and its surrounding skin. As the laser emits heat that attracts to pigment within hair follicles, multiple sessions may be required in order to eradicate all unwanted follicles.
Laser hair removal offers long-term and permanent solutions. While some regrowth may occur, it will be much lighter and less noticeable than before – plus it avoids ingrown hairs, razor burns and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation caused by other hair removal methods.
Laser hair removal can be safe and effective for most people on their face, arms, legs and bikini area. Unfortunately, breasts, genitals or back areas tend to be more sensitive than others when it comes to heat exposure and their hair growth cycle may differ from that of facial areas requiring 8-10 sessions spaced evenly throughout a year for effective removal of unwanted hairs.
How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Take?
Like any treatment, the number of laser hair removal sessions required to achieve your desired results varies based on factors like your skin type, hair color/thickness/thread count/area treated.
At treatment, specialists use a handheld laser device which emits laser energy in pulses to target pigmentation at the base of hair follicles, killing and inhibiting their future growth. Since hair follicles live and die constantly, multiple treatments may be required before significant or permanent hair reduction occurs.
Once a course of sessions have been completed, you’ll experience all of the advantages associated with living hair-free. No longer do you need to shave, wax or use depilatory creams – saving both time and money with every session completed. Your savings make the initial investment well worthwhile!
Your desired results can be determined through consultation with an experienced dermatologist. Your practitioner will discuss your hair growth habits, skin tone and areas you would like treated in this meeting; and provide an estimate on how long each session may last and what can be expected during treatment.
Prior to any laser hair removal appointment, it is advisable to refrain from waxing, tweezing or plucking the area being treated, as this enables laser light to effectively target each individual follicle of hair follicles. Also avoid tanning or sun exposure for at least a few days prior to scheduling your appointment.
After your treatment, your skin may temporarily turn red and swell up temporarily; to minimize any adverse side effects such as pigment changes or skin discoloration it is important to follow all pre- and post-treatment instructions from your dermatologist.
Though many experience permanent hair removal with laser sessions alone, some do experience some form of regrowth over time – although it usually regrows finer and lighter in color than before. If you experience continued regrowth after your treatments are finished, electrolysis could provide long-term solutions to permanently reduce hair growth.
How Many Laser Sessions Do I Need?
To achieve optimal results from laser hair removal, several treatment sessions will likely be necessary. This is because laser pulses target individual follicles to destroy them, thus stopping new hair from growing back into their place. But in between treatments it’s possible that more of these follicles may cycle into their next growth phase and the laser may no longer have enough access to damage them before reaching skin level.
Your number of treatment sessions depends on your skin type and tone, the thickness or coarseness of your hair and size of the area being treated. People with thicker, coarser or darker-toned hair or darker-toned skin tones typically need additional sessions than those with thinner, finer locks and lighter-toned skin tones.
After receiving the required number of treatment sessions, the results should be permanent. However, it’s important to keep in mind that hair grows in cycles, so although your locks may appear thinner or lighter after your course, they will still grow back. In order to ensure lasting results it’s vital that regular maintenance sessions take place throughout the year.
Treatment sessions for the face typically last less than 30 minutes, while bikini area/axillae treatments (armpits) take between one and an hour. Most patients describe it as warm pinpricks or rubber band snapping against their skin; in a dimly-lit treatment room with eye protection provided.
Before your treatment session, it is essential to cleanse the area that will be treated. Furthermore, avoid shaving, waxing and plucking for several weeks prior to your appointment so your skin is prepared to receive laser pulses.
Are You Tired of Shaving, Tweezing or Depilatory Creams? Laser Hair Removal at Our Nyack, New York Medical Spa Can Give You Silky-Smooth Skin
Are Laser Hair Removal Treatments Safe?
Laser hair removal treatments have long been used and are generally very safe for most of those who undergo it. Since it doesn’t penetrate the skin directly, most risks associated with other hair removal methods like shaving, waxing and plucking can be eliminated by opting for laser treatments instead. While lasers don’t come without some risks if not handled by professionals trained properly – damage could occur or scars form due to inexperienced practitioners using different kinds of lasers – therefore finding one with experience in using different kinds of lasers is key when it comes time to getting treated by experts trained on both procedures as well as different laser types and/or machines can ensure success in terms of results for effective results from treatments as possible.
At a laser hair removal session, safe wavelengths of light heat up unwanted hair follicles to alter their growth cycle, forcing them to produce less or no hair altogether. After multiple sessions, these follicles become smaller until eventually they stop growing altogether – drastically reducing manual hair removal while simultaneously decreasing ingrown hairs from shaving, waxing or epilating.
After laser treatments, some hair does grow back, though typically finer and lighter in color than before. Most people require two to six treatments before seeing results that last months or even years – most only need periodic maintenance laser sessions to keep the area hairfree.
One important point to keep in mind when using laser treatment for acne scarring is that tanners or those with dark skin could experience permanent scarring from tanning too soon before receiving laser treatments. To minimize risk, avoid tanning for at least a couple weeks prior to receiving treatments; trim and shave the area so the laser can target hair follicles beneath your skin’s surface more accurately.
Most women and some men can benefit from laser hair removal; however, pregnant women or those taking tretinoin, Accutane or birth control pills should avoid having it done. Tanners should wait until after treatment sessions have concluded before returning to tanning beds.
