Many women and men want to rid themselves of unsightly body hair – whether that’s unibrows or peach fuzz – using laser hair removal treatments as the answer.
Laser hair removal works by targeting light to damage the follicles that produce hair follicles, leading to their destruction and subsequent sheddance, which typically takes days or weeks before becoming noticeable.
Before
Laser hair removal differs from electrolysis or waxing by targeting the root of each individual hair follicle to effectively eliminate unwanted growth, especially stubborn areas like upper lips or sideburns. Furthermore, it has also become a popular treatment option for men’s necklines and beards.
To maximize results from laser hair removal, it’s important to have realistic expectations. In most cases, multiple sessions and ongoing maintenance will likely be required in order to see visible and long-term changes.
Most patients require six to eight treatments in order to experience significant reduction in hair growth; this depends on each individual. Your doctor can help create an individual treatment schedule based on factors like your hair color, skin tone and desired treatment area; they’ll take into account each phase of hair growth: anagen (growth), catagen (transitional) and telogen (when existing hair sheds to make way for new growth).
For optimal laser hair removal results, individuals with naturally dark or tanned skin should refrain from tanning beds for several weeks prior to beginning laser treatments for hair removal. The heat generated from tanning beds may interfere with their effectiveness and cause pigment changes within treated areas.
Prior to any laser treatments, it’s also essential that the area being treated be shaved at least two days in advance, as laser treatments cannot target hair follicles longer than one grain of rice in length. Furthermore, no waxing, tweezing or plucking should occur in this treatment zone.
Laser treatments can be quick and painless for smaller areas of the face. A session for your upper lip could take only minutes to finish! For added comfort, an anesthetic cream may be applied beforehand if necessary; most people however do not require it.
Important note for anyone considering laser hair removal: it is vitally important that they use sunscreen after laser hair removal because the heat from the laser may lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation on darker skin tones, potentially creating temporary yet unsightly hyperpigmentation around their eyes and lips. Though harmless in itself, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can be embarrassing if it appears.
After
Laser hair removal is the ultimate permanent solution to unwanted body hair. In this treatment, concentrated light beams target dark pigment in hair follicles and destroy them on contact, thus decreasing how quickly hair grows back in an area over time, making your skin appear smooth and sleek. Although multiple sessions may be required for full effect, most find that it is worth their while!
Instantaneously following laser hair removal, you may experience redness, swelling or itching in the treatment area. If this persists for more than 24 hours after laser removal, consult with a physician who may prescribe anti-inflammatory or steroid cream to reduce discomfort. Within hours however, skin should start healing; using an ice pack or cool cloth to combat post-procedure swelling may help. Furthermore, sunscreen with high SPF protection will keep it protected until full healing has taken place.
After several days, your hair will begin to shed in the treated areas, usually within one to three weeks and can be expedited through regular exfoliation. While exfoliation should be avoided within 24 hours after laser treatments to avoid irritation and promote healing, regular exfoliation remains effective in ridding yourself of unwanted regrowth.
Some hair will continue to grow back after your laser treatments have ended, though it will likely be thinner, lighter, and less visible than before due to not all hair follicles being destroyed by laser light. Over time more and more will be destroyed while what grows back will likely be thinner, finer, lighter than ever before.
Many laser technicians advise scheduling maintenance sessions to catch any stray hairs that were missed in your treatment series. Maintenance treatments should take place every six months or once every year depending on your schedule and preferences, with laser hair removal significantly shortening depilation time while eliminating shaving, waxing or depilatory cream use altogether.
Preparation
Laser hair removal works most effectively when directed directly at the hair follicle. Plucking or waxing, which disturbs this space, prevents laser light from reaching it; for optimal results it is therefore advised that these methods be avoided four to six weeks prior to beginning treatment sessions.
First step to getting laser hair removal treatment: find a licensed and certified technician near your city. Get recommendations from friends or search online reviews; once you find one, book a consultation session to gather all the information about the procedure as well as asking any questions to your technician during that meeting. Also use this opportunity to gauge if this medical procedure suits you well or needs some modifications.
Once your consultation is over, it’s important to follow any pretreatment orders given by your technician and start using sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on any areas being treated in order to minimize pigmentation issues that may result from laser therapy.
At times, laser treatments may cause slight discomfort – this sensation has been likened to being pinpricked or having rubber bands snap against your skin. Laser procedures usually last from several minutes to an hour depending on which area is being treated and might leave skin feeling hot and slightly swollen post treatment; this should subside with lotions, anti-inflammatory cream or cold compresses applied afterward.
Once your laser hair removal treatments have been completed, it will take days or weeks for the targeted follicles to drop out and stop producing new hair, though you may notice lighter-colored and shorter-haired new growth compared to before – this is normal and will lead to long-term results! Are you ready to ditch razor and waxing routines forever? Contact our clinics in Fort Collins, Lakewood Westminster Colorado Springs now for your complimentary laser consultation – it might just lead to smooth hair-free skin! You might never want shave again.
Recovery
If you have been experiencing unwanted hair growth, laser hair removal may be a viable solution. This treatment works by targeting dark pigment at the root of your follicles and destroying them – leaving thinner and finer hair as a result. Laser is usually more effective than waxing or shaving for hair removal; however results may take several sessions before significant reduction is seen in your growth rate.
At your laser hair removal appointment, you’ll lie down or sit in a chair while being treated by a technician who presses a handheld device against your skin surface and emits pulses of light that feel similar to an elastic band snapping against it. Treatment sessions typically last anywhere from 15 minutes up to an hour depending on the size and scope of the area being treated.
After your appointment, the area that has been treated may feel puffy and red; these symptoms are normal and should go away over the course of a few days for most people. Applying aloe vera gel or lotion can be used to ease these side effects or hold a cold compress such as frozen peas wrapped in towel on it – both methods should help. Moreover, exposure to sunlight should be limited while sunscreen protection will protect its healing process.
While your face recovers from treatment, it is best to forgo any aggressive scrubs or exfoliating products as this can increase skin irritability and risk for side effects. If exfoliation is necessary, ensure you use gentle products with low pH values (and don’t scrub areas treated directly), in addition to avoiding saunas or steam rooms altogether.
After laser hair removal sessions, it is wise to refrain from tweezing or waxing the area as this could damage follicles permanently. Instead, exfoliating with a warm washcloth in the shower may encourage hair shedding; while shaving prior to your appointment will ensure no dead hairs remain during treatment.
