We are all anticipating the arrival of the warm weather that comes with Spring and Summer! This is the perfect time to think about laser hair removal. Laser hair removal will permanently remove or reduce body hair. Both men and women seek laser hair removal to remove unwanted hair from various areas of the body including underarm, pubic area, legs, abdomen, lip, chin, back, buttocks, thighs, face, neck, chest, arms, and toes.
Laser hair removal is a procedure which removes hair from the body with several distinct types of lasers or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). They are all highly effective if performed correctly. Anyone considering laser hair removal must know that it involved a minimum of 5 treatments spaced 4-5 weeks apart. It is so important during this initial phase that you do not skip a treatment.
How it works: The Laser or IPL works by emitting a light that has a specific tendency for melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color. Therefore, the lighter the skin and the darker and coarse the hair, the better are the results. Blonde hair does not respond to laser hair removal. The laser light is absorbed by the bulb (root) of the hair follicle and burned. It is critical that you keep up your treatment so that the root of the hair is continually injured until it is destroyed. The process is fairly painless; however, it can burn depending on the area being layered. You may have some redness over the area for several hours after your treatment.
FAQs
Can I shave prior to my treatment?
I will usually let my patients shave up to one day prior to treatment. You do not want a large amount of hair present since the surface hair will absorb too much energy. The bulb will always be intact with simple shaving.
Can I wax or use a depilatory agent prior to treatment?
I do not want my patients to use any of these treatments for several weeks prior to laser treatment. Waxing will remove the hair in its entirety and will not leave enough pigment to absorb the laser’s energy.
Will hair grow back between treatments?
Yes, yes, yes! Do not get frustrated if this occurs. Although the hair has been lasered it may continue to grow. Very often your first treatment will be at a lower energy level to ensure your skin will not have a reaction to the treatment. It will often take 2-3 treatments before you see a dramatic reduction in hair.
Will it require maintenance?
Once you finish your recommended treatment cycle, you will likely need touch-up treatments approximately once a year.
Can anyone have laser hair removal?
There are many different laser systems available today. I use a Harmony Platform system that is safe for all skin types. This allows me to laser all ethnicities and races no matter how pigmented the skin. This is safe and effective and minimizes the risk of burning or hypo pigmentation.
Are there any side effects?
Some people may experience temporary side effects such as itching, redness (for up to 3 days), swelling around the mouth of the hair follicle (for up to 3 days), change in pigment may occur (especially in those with darker skin – these changes are usually temporary), and temporary irritation resulting in blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture.
