Shaving, waxing, and dealing with unwanted body hair takes up far too much time and money for many people. Laser hair removal is a popular form of permanent hair removal that can help remedy this issue. During a laser hair removal treatment, the technician will use a laser to target certain areas of the body such as underarms to damage the follicle and prevent further growth. The cost of this process will vary based on how many sessions you need, and this number can differ based on your skin tone, hair color, and more, meaning that there’s no simple answer to the question of how many sessions you will need to remove underarm hair. This guide can help you better understand the process and the questions you should be asking your esthetician.
Types of Lasers
Certain types of lasers are more effective than others. The light sheer diode laser is widely considered to be among the best for its flexibility in dealing with a variety of skin types and tones. Those with darker skin may benefit from the Nd:Yag laser, which has a longer wavelength and goes deeper into the skin. Discomfort when using this laser can be more common, so be sure to visit an experienced and trusted professional if you choose an Nd:Yag laser to minimize pain.
Hair Color and Skin Tone
Laser hair removal works by targeting a pigment called melanin in the hair follicle. When the melanin heats up, the follicle is damaged and either completely destroyed or damaged enough to slow down regrowth. Because laser hair removal targets pigments, it’s most effective on people who have lighter skin but darker hair. Those with fair hair find that the treatment is not particularly effective, and those with darker skin may experience burns because their skin will absorb some of the laser light. Speak with your medical esthetician to see if your hair and skin tone combination make you a good candidate for laser hair removal services.
Why Do Some Areas Require More Treatment Sessions?
The number of treatment sessions needed differs based on the area targeted, your skin and hair color, and the thickness of your hair, among other factors. Anywhere from five to ten treatments are generally recommended, leaving plenty of range for your individual treatment. Areas with coarse and dark hair, like the underarms, bikini line, and lower legs, typically require the fewest treatments because of the hair’s composition. The arms and face, which tend to have finer and lighter hair, will require more because there is less pigment to absorb the laser’s heat.
Hair should be treated during its short growth phase for optimal results. If your treatments are completed during the dormant phase, which can last as long as 24 weeks, you’ll likely need more touch ups to ensure complete hair removal. Your hormonal fluctuations can also impact the hair’s growth and dormancy periods, requiring more treatment sessions to help remove the hair.
Treatments should be done in one month intervals unless the hair is growing very quickly. Your technician may recommend treatments every two to three weeks in this situation, eventually spacing them out to between four and six weeks to match the slowed hair growth cycles resulting from frequent laser sessions. You should shave in between treatments to decrease the likelihood of getting burned by the laser and increase its ability to reach the base of the follicle, which is found at the base of the hair.
Why Might I Need Touch-up Sessions?
Touch-up sessions may be needed every year or so based on whether your hair is able to grow back or not. While some laser treatments destroy the follicle, others simply damage it, allowing the hair to slowly grow back over time. If your treatment does not completely eliminate the hair follicle, you may choose to maintain your results with a yearly laser. Because regrowth is typically finer than before the treatment, you may find the occasional shave or wax sufficient to remove it, though permanent hair removal will require another laser treatment.
Choosing a Medical Spa
Speak to Elume Medspa technicians for more information about laser hair removal for underarms and how many sessions you should expect to achieve your results. The spa’s experienced and licensed staff can safely complete laser hair treatments for your underarms, bikini line, legs, and more. The spa also provides a number of other beauty treatments, such as photofacials, dermal fillers, and sclerotherapy, among other options for your beauty routine.
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