Laser hair treatment is a safe, non-invasive procedure with minimal side effects. You might experience some temporary redness or tingling after your session.
This treatment can be used alone or with other therapies like topical thickening products, minoxidil, and PRP. It would help to avoid sunless skin creams that darken your skin, plucking or waxing the treated area, and blood-thinning medications before your treatment.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a treatment that uses laser light to destroy the hair follicle so it can no longer grow hair. It works best on dark hair with a lot of melanin and is most effective when the hair isn’t too long.
The practitioner will clean the treatment area and may use a topical anesthetic before starting the process. Then, they’ll put on goggles to protect your eyes and use a cooling device to prevent heat from damaging the skin. Then, they’ll apply a pulse of laser light to the skin, which can feel like warm pinpricks or a rubber band snapping against it.
You’ll probably need multiple sessions for permanent results. Since hair above the waist has a 4-6 week cycle, and inch below the core has a 6-8 week cycle, you’ll likely need to schedule your laser treatments every four or eight weeks. However, the number of treatments you’ll need will depend on your skin complexion and hair type, so it’s essential to consult a doctor or experienced practitioner.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
The laser technology in hair removal sessions sends waves of safe, adequate laser energy deep into the hair follicles. The follicles heat up, which stops their natural growth cycle. Once the hair follicles stop growing, they no longer produce new hair and instead shed away on their own or grow back finer, thinner, and lighter than before.
Most patients require two to six laser sessions between four and eight weeks for best results. Once you complete your treatment plan, you may need occasional touch-ups.
Avoiding sun exposure and applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is crucial before your laser hair removal procedure. It would help if you also avoided shaving, waxing, or plucking the area during the time leading up to your laser treatments.
Choosing an experienced doctor who has performed laser treatment for hair loss on many other patients is also essential. It is recommended to look for a board-certified specialist with a dermatology or cosmetic surgery background and who is on a registry that shows they meet set standards of skill and training. It would help if you were also wary of spas or salons that allow nonmedical personnel to perform laser treatments.
How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Take?
Depending on how large the region being treated is, laser hair removal can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. During the treatment, the skin might feel a little warm and stingy. The technician might apply a topical anesthetic to reduce discomfort.
Before laser hair removal, you should avoid waxing or plucking your hair, as these activities remove the pigment that helps the laser locate and destroy the follicles. Shaving is okay and is encouraged, as it makes the hairs easier to see and target with the laser.
Hair loss and growth happen in a cycle, so your body might grow new hairs even after laser treatment. This is why getting several laser treatments is necessary for the best results.
After laser treatment, your hair is much thinner and lighter in color. The hairs hit by the laser will shed over days or weeks and might sometimes look like continued growth, but this is simply the hair follicles surfacing before they fall out. To keep your results, avoid sunlight and tanning beds and use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen daily.
What Are the Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal?
As with any cosmetic hair removal procedure, there are some side effects associated with laser treatment. However, these are typically minor and temporary. Some people experience short-lived tingling or redness of the skin. These symptoms are similar to the skin after waxing or plucking and can be easily treated at home.
The practitioner will press a hand-held laser instrument against your skin. They will use a cooling device or cool gel on the instrument’s tip to protect your skin and reduce the risk of uncomfortable sensations during the session.
To get the results you want, you could require several treatments. Hair growth and loss occur in cycles, so the laser only damages follicles in the new-growth phase.
Choosing an experienced and suitably qualified practitioner for your laser treatment is essential. Ask if they are on a register that meets training, skill, and insurance standards. Blistering, scarring, and pigment changes can occur when the treatment fails. These risks are reduced when you shave the area before your laser session and avoid tanning or sunless tanners the days before.
How Much Will Laser Hair Removal Cost?
The cost of laser hair removal varies depending on the body part and type of procedure.
The first step in determining your specific laser hair removal costs is scheduling a consultation with a qualified practitioner. This will help to ensure you receive the most effective results possible.
You will talk to the provider during the consultation about your objectives and issues. Then, they will create a customized plan to reach your desired results. This will determine the number of sessions needed, influencing your overall laser hair removal costs.
The practitioner will clean the region and use a numbing cream to protect it from pain before the laser hair removal procedure starts. You will be asked to put on goggles for protection, and the practitioner will direct the laser light toward the targeted area of your body. Many patients liken the experience to getting a sunburn or having a rubber band break against their skin.
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