Laser Hair Removal is an effective, permanent hair reduction procedure. Women who have unwanted facial hair often have a hormonal imbalance and may benefit from oral treatments such as birth control pills or Spironolactone in addition to laser treatment sessions.
Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment in the hair follicle to destroy it permanently. It requires several laser treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart to achieve optimal results. Contact IPL Vancouver for specialized services.
Laser hair removal uses an intense beam of light to target the pigment (color) of a dark hair and destroy it. The follicle then becomes inactive and will not grow new hair. However, many of the other hairs in the area will still be in a resting or growing phase. In order to effectively treat these hairs, multiple laser treatments are typically needed.
It is important to avoid using sunless skin creams that will darken the surface of the skin before the treatment. Also, shaving and plucking the hairs should be avoided for a few weeks before the session.
During laser hair removal, a doctor will press a handheld instrument to the skin. A cooling device or gel might be used on the tip of the instrument to protect the skin and limit discomfort. The doctor will then activate the laser. The laser beam will pass through the skin to reach the hair follicles, which are then destroyed by heat from the light. Small areas, such as the upper lip, can be treated in a few minutes. Larger areas, such as the back, might take up to an hour.
Men and women typically have different hair growth patterns, which might require more or fewer laser treatment sessions to achieve the desired results. The best candidates for laser hair removal are those with light skin and dark hair because the contrast between the color of the skin and hair makes it easier to target and destroy the hair follicle. After a series of treatments, most people see lasting reduction in unwanted hair, though the hair that does regrow is usually finer and lighter in color.
What Are the Side Effects?
Laser hair removal uses a laser device to heat the skin and destroy the hair follicles. It’s typically less painful than other methods of hair removal, like waxing or plucking. It might cause temporary side effects, such as redness and irritation. These usually fade within a few hours after treatment.
The doctor will press a hand-held laser instrument against your skin. The tip of the instrument may have a cooling device or cool gel to protect the skin and lessen your discomfort. You might also wear a pair of protective goggles to prevent accidental contact with the laser’s light beam. You might experience mild to moderate discomfort during treatment, but it’s a lot less painful than other hair removal methods. It might feel similar to a rubber band snapping against your skin or a series of sunburn-like stings. It might take a few minutes to an hour to complete the procedure, depending on the size of the area being treated. You might smell smoke and see puffs of burning hair as the laser heat vaporizes the hairs.
Some people might notice temporary changes in skin color after laser treatments. This happens because the light beam changes the amount of melanin in the skin. This is more likely for people with naturally darker complexions, but avoiding sun exposure and choosing an expert technician reduces the risk.
Other short-term side effects might include swelling and itching of the skin around the follicles. You might also get small blisters or scabs as the follicles begin to heal. These symptoms are rarely serious, but they might be more pronounced with certain medications or skin conditions. This is why it’s so important to choose an experienced provider and follow their instructions on cooling the skin, avoiding sun exposure, and using recommended creams.
How Long Will the Side Effects Last?
Laser treatment for hair removal typically does not require much downtime. You may experience some redness and swollen skin immediately after your procedure, but this will usually subside in just a few hours. If you have sensitive skin, you can use a cold compress on the affected area to help reduce discomfort. You will also need to avoid direct sunlight or tanning beds following your treatment and follow the instructions from your dermatologist regarding pre-treatment and post-treatment care.
The laser light emitted during your treatment works by targeting the pigment in your hair and skin, causing it to heat up. This damages the follicle and prevents it from producing new strands of hair. While some strands will still regrow, these tend to be finer and lighter in color. Many patients remain hair free for months and even years following their treatments. When hair does regrow, it is often much thinner and less noticeable than before.
Depending on the complexion of your skin and your hair, you might need more than just one laser treatment to achieve permanent results. The number of sessions you need will be determined during your consultation at the dermatology office in Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
If you are considering laser hair removal, it is important to have this performed by a medical professional with extensive training in this technology. This is because the wrong laser setting can cause skin burns and discoloration, especially if you have dark complexion or hair.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
There are many factors that play into the number of laser hair removal sessions needed for optimal results. The most common factor is hair color and thickness, with dark, coarse hair tending to require more treatments than lighter, finer hair. Other important factors are the area of the body being treated and any hormonal changes that may impact hair growth.
For example, when it comes to facial hair, any hormonal fluctuations can result in stubborn regrowth. For this reason, we typically recommend a minimum of 6-8 treatment sessions to get the desired hair-free outcome. Legs and the bikini area, on the other hand, usually require less sessions due to the slower rate of hair growth.
In addition, your skin type and color also influence the treatment process. The laser machine’s ability to differentiate the hair pigment from your skin’s pigment is impacted by these factors. As such, it’s essential to choose a qualified technician with a wide range of experience performing laser treatments for various skin tones and types.
A day or two before your session, it’s recommended that you shave the area being treated. This helps the laser better target your hair follicles while sparing your surrounding skin. Shaving also reduces the risk of skin irritation and discomfort.
After your first session, you’ll likely notice that the hair in the treatment area is noticeably thinner. However, it’s important to stick with your treatment plan and attend all scheduled sessions to maximize long-term results. By the time you reach your fourth session, the hair regrowth should be significantly diminished or even stopped altogether. If you do see regrowth, talk to your specialist about scheduling another appointment.
Will the Side Effects Be Permanent?
The hair removal process permanently destroys the hair follicle, which prevents future growth. Repeated treatments, however, are necessary because hair grows in cycles and the laser can only target hair follicles that are currently active (in the growing phase). The destroyed hair follicles will never grow back, but other follicles might emerge and cause ingrown hairs to develop.
For optimal results, it is essential to follow your dermatologist’s recommendations both before and after treatment. These include avoiding sun exposure, refraining from other hair removal methods in the treatment area and adhering to post-treatment instructions. These recommendations help reduce the risk of complications.
Scarring can occur if the laser’s heat causes damage to the skin layers beneath the epidermis. Choosing an experienced technician and carefully adjusting the laser settings based on your skin tone significantly reduces the risk of this side effect.
In addition to scarring, hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation can occur in the treatment area. Hyperpigmentation is more common in people with dark skin, while hypopigmentation occurs more frequently in light-skinned individuals. The reasons for these changes in pigmentation are not fully understood, but avoiding sun exposure and limiting laser treatments to the darker areas of your body can decrease the likelihood of them occurring.
Before you undergo laser hair removal, let your dermatologist know if you are taking any medications or dietary supplements that might affect how your skin responds to the treatment. Also, tell your doctor if you have genital herpes or any other condition that might make it unsafe to use lasers on the treated skin.