Laser hair removal is a safe, effective way to remove unwanted hair. This treatment is a great alternative to shaving, waxing, and electrolysis.
During the procedure, a doctor presses a hand-held instrument against your skin. The tip of the instrument might have a cooling device or a gel to protect your skin and reduce the risk of side effects.
What is it?
Laser hair removal is a safe, effective treatment for reducing unwanted facial and body hair. It’s a great way to reduce shaving, waxing and plucking time for both men and women.
During laser hair removal, light energy is delivered through an applicator that destroys only the follicles in their growing phase. You will need several treatments spaced four to eight weeks apart to achieve optimal results.
The procedure is non-invasive and does not require any anesthesia. An innovative cooling system is used to protect and soothe the skin during the treatment.
You should avoid sunless skin creams that darken or bleach the skin in the area being treated for two to three weeks prior to your appointment. This helps to prevent damage to the skin’s pigment and promotes a more even, natural skin tone after the treatment.
You may develop some redness or a sunburn-like sensation after your treatment, which usually resolves itself quickly. Keep the treated area protected from direct sun exposure and use an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen daily.
How does it work?
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective way to eliminate unwanted hair growth without causing damage to the skin. It is an alternative to waxing, shaving or plucking.
A laser works by targeting dark pigment within the hair follicles, heating and destroying them at their root. This prevents new hair growth and results in smoother, less textured skin.
The number of treatments needed to achieve a permanent result is dependent on the area treated and the amount of hair growth. Treatments should be scheduled 4-8 weeks apart.
Typically, patients can expect 80% reduction of hair follicles in the active growing phase after each treatment. The follicles that are not in this growth stage will not be affected by the laser, so patients should expect several treatment sessions to get the best results.
The laser light pulses penetrate deeply into the skin, triggering the regeneration of collagen and tissue. The hair follicles are also stimulated, which is similar to the effects of Minoxidil.
What are the risks?
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective method of permanently reducing unwanted hair. It can reduce the number of hairs in any area of your body and is more permanent than shaving, waxing or depilatory creams.
Lasers emit pulses of light energy that are safely absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair follicle, turning off its activity to prevent new hair growth. Treatments need to be repeated several times at regular intervals.
The procedure can take up to 8 sessions on average. The amount of time depends on the size of the area being treated.
It is important to avoid sun exposure and tanning beds during the entire laser hair reduction process. This decreases the effectiveness of the treatment and increases your risk for skin discoloration (hyperpigmentation), hypopigmentation or blistering.
What are the benefits?
Laser hair removal is a safe, effective cosmetic dermatology treatment that permanently removes unwanted hair. It’s also less painful and more convenient than other methods, like shaving or tweezing.
During laser hair reduction, your doctor uses a powerful light-based device to target individual hair follicles and destroy them at their root. This prevents new hair from growing and leaves your skin smooth.
Your results will depend on your specific hair growth cycle and how many treatments you need. Usually you need two to six treatments spaced four to eight weeks apart.
The process is relatively painless and can feel similar to a sting or pin prick, depending on your skin type. Your doctor may apply a topical anesthetic to reduce discomfort.