Laser Hair Removal
Long Lasting Results
All About Laser Hair Removal
How Laser Hair Removal Works
During laser hair removal, pulsating beams of light target the pigment (melanin) in the hair. The intense heat from the laser damages the follicles, inhibiting future hair growth. Since this procedure works by targeting melanin, it is most effective for people with light skin and dark hair, although advanced technology has made laser hair removal an option for individuals with dark skin as well. Laser hair removal is typically not an option for people with white, grey, blonde or red hair because the laser cannot "see" the light hair. Common areas of the body that are treated include legs, underarms, upper lip, chin, and bikini line; however, laser hair removal can be used on nearly any part of the body.
How to Prepare for Getting Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is more than just zapping unwanted hair, it's a medical procedure that requires extensive training and education. When pursuing laser hair removal, it is important to choose a doctor who is board certified and has experience in the field, like Dr.Sinha. Always schedule a consultation to determine what results you can expect based on your needs, skin and hair types.
Before undergoing laser hair removal, do not pluck, wax or undergo electrolysis for six weeks prior to treatment. This is because the laser targets the roots of the hair, which are temporarily removed by waxing or plucking. Sun exposure should also be avoided for six weeks before treatment because it can render laser hair removal less effective and increases the risk for complications. Shaving is permitted as it does not remove or damage the hair follicle.
What to Expect During Laser Hair Removal
Immediately before treatment, the hair will be trimmed. The laser equipment will be carefully adjusted according to color, thickness and location of the hair, as well as to the color of your skin. Protective eyewear should be worn by both the patient and the technician depending on the type of laser used. A cold gel or special cooling device will be applied on the skin to protect the outer layers as well as help the laser penetrate the skin. The hand-held laser instrument will be held against the skin as the treatment is performed. Small areas such as the upper lip may only take a few minutes, while larger areas, such as the back, may take several hours.
After treatment, you may be given ice packs, anti-inflammatory creams or lotions, or cool water to counteract any lingering discomfort. Treatments are spaced four to six weeks apart, and repeated until desired results are achieved.
Advantages of Laser Hair Removal
Lasers come with many advantages that make them a go-to option for removing undesirable hair.
- Accurate: Lasers can precisely target dark, coarse hairs by destroying them at their root while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.
- Fast and effective: Though each pulse of the laser takes less than one second, it can target many hair follicles at the same time. Small areas such as the upper lip takes less than a minute, while larger areas, such as the back, may take as long as an hour. If you are used to regularly waxing or shaving to remove your naturally coarse, dark hair, laser hair removal can save you time in the long run.
- Great results: Most laser hair removal patients see long-term results after an average of three to seven sessions, though results can vary. You may also need occasional touch-up treatments to maintain results after completing your initial series of hair removal appointments.
- Changes hair's texture for the better: Laser hair removal is unlike some other hair removal techniques that encourage your hair to grow back in darker or coarser. Over time, you'll see any new hair begin coming in finer and lighter, until it is gone for good.
- Can be effective on all skin tones: In the past, older lasers worked less efficiently on people with tanned or naturally darker skin tones. However, laser technology has improved to the point that laser hair removal can provide good results even for people with more melanin in their skin.
- Improves self-esteem: How many times have you felt embarrassed to wear swimsuits, shorts, or tank tops in warm weather shaving or waxing seemed like too much of a hassle? Laser hair removal gets rid of unwanted hair, freeing you to wear more revealing clothing whenever you like.
Are You A Good Candidate?
Q Are You A Good Candidate?
For the best results with laser hair removal, you should have some contrast between the color of your hair and the color of your skin. The best candidates for this procedure have lighter skin and dark hair. The lasers do not work as well for blonde, red, or gray hair, as the light has a more difficult time "seeing" these hair colors.
As this technology has improved, it is now more effective on people with darker skin tones. If you have darker skin and are considering laser hair removal, be sure to choose a medical professional who has experience working on patients with your skin type.
Both men and women can receive laser hair removal. Popular areas for women to have laser hair removal are the upper lip, bikini line, chin, underarms, and legs. Many men who choose this procedure have it done on their chest, back, beard, and shoulders. However, it's possible to target unwanted hair in nearly any area.
Cost of Laser Hair Removal
Q Cost of Laser Hair Removal
Steps to Take Before Your Treatment
Q Steps to Take Before Your Treatment
Tips for Getting Ready for Hair Removal Treatment
Q Tips for Getting Ready for Hair Removal Treatment
Though laser hair removal is a relatively quick cosmetic procedure, that doesn't mean there's no need to prepare beforehand.
In the six weeks leading up to the treatment session, you should avoid getting other hair removal treatments, including waxing and plucking. Why? Because these techniques involve temporarily taking out the roots of the hair, which need to be in place during the laser treatment, so the laser can target them.
Sun exposure makes the results of laser hair removal treatment less effective, and can lead to risks and complications after treatment, so you will also need to be careful to stay out of the sun as much as possible for six weeks before each appointment.
During Your Laser Hair Removal Treatment
Q During Your Laser Hair Removal Treatment
On the day of your laser hair removal treatment, you may wish to take an over-the-counter painkiller about 30 minutes to an hour before your appointment to help manage any discomfort you might feel during the treatment. Though many people say laser hair removal is less painful than other methods such as waxing, everyone has a different tolerance for pain during the procedure.
To prepare you for the procedure, your technician will trim the hair in the targeted treatment area to a few millimeters above the surface of your skin. Your laser technician will customize the settings on the equipment based on your skin tone and the amount, color, density and location of your unwanted body hair.
Next, they will apply a gel that serves two purposes: protecting the skin and helping the laser light penetrate more effectively. As a final pre-check before treatment, the technician will target the treatment area with a pulse of the laser and observe the area for a few minutes to make sure they have the right settings on the laser device and that your skin is not having an adverse reaction. During your treatment, you and your technician will need to wear special eyewear to shield your eyes from the laser light.
If you are experiencing any discomfort at the end of your treatment, you can ask for ice packs or soothing cream to help you manage it. Depending on the size of the treatment area and the amount of hair you are hoping to remove, you will most likely require a series of several laser sessions spaced four to six weeks apart.
What is Laser Hair Removal and How Does It Work?
Q What is Laser Hair Removal and How Does It Work?
Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure that uses a principle called photothermolysis to inhibit hair growth. A type of laser called intense pulsed light, or IPL, passes through the skin and into the hair shaft. The pigment in your hair absorbs the high-energy light from the laser, which damages the hair follicles, inhibiting their ability to grow new hair in the future.
Over time, the hair follicles become weaker, causing new hair to grow in thinner and lighter. This process may require multiple treatments; depending on your hair growth cycle, it can take three to ten sessions for optimal results. Laser hair removal is safe because it targets only the hair follicles, avoiding damage to the surrounding skin.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Q How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser hair removal has become one of the most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedures in the nation. It works by directing targeted pulses of light into hair follicles. The pigment in the follicles absorb this light, which causes damage to the follicles that slows future hair growth - all while leaving the surrounding skin untouched.
Since this procedure targets the melanin in hair follicles, it is most effective for people with lighter skin and darker hair, although advanced technology has now made laser hair removal an option for individuals with darker skin tones. Though laser hair removal Georgia is effective for anywhere on the body, the most common areas where people request treatment include their legs, underarms, upper lip, chin and bikini line.
After Your Laser Hair Removal
Q After Your Laser Hair Removal
After Your Laser Hair Removal Treatment
Q After Your Laser Hair Removal Treatment
For the first couple of days after your treatment session, the treatment area will appear red and feel tender and warm, much like if you had gotten a sunburn. To soothe it, you can apply a topical moisturizer such as aloe, or a cold compress, if you desire.
Other potential side effects of laser hair removal include temporary skin irritation or redness, blistering, swelling and scars. The treated area of your skin may also become darker or lighter, but permanent changes in skin color are rare. You should be diligent about applying sunscreen to the target area to help prevent skin discoloration.
After completing each of your treatment sessions, you will notice your treated hair falling out gradually over the next month until you have achieved your desired results.
Results to Expect From Laser Hair Removal
Q Results to Expect From Laser Hair Removal
If you've been dealing with undesirable body hair for a long time, you are already familiar with the annoyances it can bring - including cuts, irritated skin, and ingrown hairs. Worst of all, the hair keeps growing back, which forces you to spend more of your time maintaining it.
As many of our patients have discovered, laser hair removal is an easy, safe way to slow unwanted hair growth and leave you with irresistibly smooth, touchable skin. Although it can permanently remove hair, it is not guaranteed to do so. Results tend to vary based upon the treatment area and the patient's hair texture. Multiple treatments usually provide longer-lasting results, as do periodic maintenance sessions.
Depending on how much hair you are hoping to remove, as well as your skin tone and hair color, you will probably need a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart to achieve your desired outcome. After every treatment, you will notice a gradual lessening of hair.
Recovery and Risks
Q Recovery and Risks
Your skin will likely be red and tender for a few hours to a day after treatment, much like a sunburn. Moisturizers, aloe and cool compresses can be used to ease any discomfort. If laser hair removal was performed on your face, it's fine to wear makeup the next day as long as there is no blistering on the skin.
Treated hair will begin falling out over the next few weeks to a month; this is not to be mistaken for increased hair growth. It is important to wear sunscreen and minimize sun exposure for four to six weeks following treatment to prevent temporary skin discoloration.
Skin irritation is the most common side effect. Temporary redness, swelling and pain may occur after undergoing treatment and typically subside within a day. Laser hair removal may cause the treated skin to become lighter or darker, but is usually temporary.
