For most women, unwanted hair is embarrassing. Get rid of it with laser hair removal and let your clear, radiant skin show. Laser hair removal is a fast and effective treatment for removing unwanted hair on any part of the body. It is the best way to get rid of unwanted hair.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a common procedure to remove unwanted hair from the body. It is the second most frequently performed cosmetic procedure in the United States. Laser hair removal uses a focused (traditional laser) or intense pulsating beam of light (IPL) to remove hair. The removal procedure should only be administered by a board-certified dermatologist or licensed aesthetician who specializes in this procedure.
How Does it Work?
The laser hair removal procedure destroys the hair follicle and deters future growth. The laser sends a laser beam or IPL through each hair shaft into the follicle. The laser beam penetrates and weakens hair follicles in the skin by becoming absorbed by the pigment in the follicles. The hair eventually falls out. By weakening the follicles, future hair growth is deterred.
Different types of laser technology can be used in laser hair removal. The type of laser and lights used depends on the hair color and skin type of the individual. The most common types of lasers that may be used for hair removal include:
- Ruby: Ruby is the oldest type of laser technology and is best for fine and light hair.
- Alexandrite: Alexandrite is the fastest type of laser and is used for large areas on the body.
- Diode: Diode laser is the best laser for patients with darker skin types.
- Neodymium YAG: This laser can be used for all skin types.
- Intense pulsed light sources: These use photo thermolysis (not lasers).
One or more of these lasers or lights may be used for best results.
Is Laser Hair Removal Painful?
It is not painful for everyone. Some find that the procedure is painless while others find it uncomfortable. A few find it intolerable. It is different with every individual. The level of discomfort also depends on the sensitivity of the area to be treated.
Your laser hair removal specialist will take steps to minimize any discomfort by applying a topical anesthetic to your skin surface. You should discuss your levels of pain tolerance with your service provider ahead of time to determine if additional measures of pain management may be necessary.
During the procedure, your specialist will move the laser device across the targeted area. The laser will send laser energy deep into each hair shaft to destroy hair at its root. You may feel a snapping or burning sensation that can be compared to the snapping of a rubber band or a sting. When the treatment is finished, your specialist will apply ice-packs, anti-inflammatory cream, or cold compresses to alleviate any discomfort.
Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?
The laser treatment damages the hair follicles and puts them in a state of dormancy for a long period of time. The follicles will eventually heal and grow new hair. However, when the hairs do grow back, they’ll be lighter, finer, and fewer in number.
Because everyone’s hair grows in cycles, laser hair removal can only treat a portion of the unwanted hair during each session. New hair that appears during the next growth cycle will need to be treated in that growth cycle. For that reason, you will need to undergo a series of treatments to eliminate all unwanted hair.
After each treatment, the surface area is smoother with a large degree of permanent hair loss. Any hair that regrows will appear infrequently and will be significantly thinner than before.
After a few initial treatments, you can prevent regrowth with periodic maintenance treatments. How many sessions you may need depends on your unique hair growth pattern. In most cases, the course of treatment to target all hair follicles ranges from three to ten sessions spaced four to eight weeks apart.
Between treatments you need to refrain from waxing or plucking or you’ll have to wait another growth cycle to treat the regrowth. Also, depending on the area you want to treat with laser hair removal, you may want to plan your treatments to occur during the winter because exposure to the sun darkens the skin and impairs the effectiveness of treatment.
Expect that the entire series of treatments will take at least one year to complete. Thereafter, you will likely need annual touch-up treatments.
Contact Elume Medspa for More Information
Nothing works better than laser removal for getting rid of unwanted hair. Make sure you talk to the laser hair removal specialists at Elume Medspa for more information and to schedule an appointment.
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