If you're not satisfied with shaving, waxing, or waxing to remove unwanted hair, laser hair removal may be an option worth considering. Lasers are useful for removing unwanted hair from the face, leg, chin, back, arm, armpits, bikini line, and other areas. Each laser pulse takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time. Small areas, such as the upper lip, can be treated in less than a minute, and large areas, such as the back or legs, can take up to an hour.
Most patients have permanent hair loss after an average of three to seven sessions. Laser hair removal is more than just “removing” unwanted hair. It is a medical procedure that requires training to perform it and carries potential risks. Before having laser hair removal, you should thoroughly check the credentials of the doctor or technician performing the procedure. If you plan to undergo laser hair removal, you should limit hair removal, waxing and electrolysis for six weeks prior to treatment.
This is because the laser targets the roots of the hair, which are temporarily removed with wax or by waxing. You should also avoid sun exposure for six weeks before and after treatment. Sun exposure makes laser hair removal less effective and increases the likelihood of complications after treatment. Depending on the laser or light source being used, you and the technician should use appropriate eye protection. It will also be necessary to protect the outer layers of the skin with a cold gel or a special cooling device.
This will help the laser light penetrate the skin. When the procedure is complete, you may be given ice packs, anti-inflammatory creams or lotions, or cold water to relieve any discomfort. You can schedule your next treatment four to six weeks later. You will receive treatments until your hair stops growing. For a day or two afterwards, the treated area of skin will look and feel like it has been sunburned. Cold packs and moisturizers can help.
If your face was treated, you can wear makeup the next day, unless your skin blisters. During the following month, treated hair will fall out. Use sunscreen for the next month to help prevent temporary changes in the color of treated skin. Blisters are rare, but are more likely in people with darker complexions. Other possible side effects include swelling, redness, and scarring.
Permanent scarring or changes in skin color are rare. Request a consultation to get a better idea of the cost of your particular case. You'll likely see results right after treatment. Results vary from patient to patient. The color and thickness of the hair, the area treated, the type of laser used, and the color of the skin affect the results.
You can expect hair reduction between 10% and 25% after the first treatment. To remove hair, most patients need 2 to 6 laser treatments. After finishing treatments, most patients do not see any hairs on the treated skin for several months or even years. When hair grows back, there tends to be less. The hairs also tend to be thinner and lighter in color. This non-invasive laser treatment uses gentle beams of light to remove hair.
The melanin in the hair (the part that gives color to the hair) absorbs light, which is converted into heat. Heat damages the follicle (but not the skin or surrounding tissue) and prevents it from producing more hair. For more information about laser hair removal, request a consultation with Kaiser Permanente Cosmetic Services. While different light-based technologies are used to remove hair, all treatments are the same. During a treatment session, bright flashes of light are emitted onto unwanted hair. Light penetrates through the skin and is selectively directed to melanin in the hair follicles.
Pigment absorbs light energy, effectively destroying hair. Depending on the size of the handpiece being used, several hairs can be treated simultaneously. The laser can react with the hair on the surface of the skin, which will cause some irritation and perhaps the dreaded smell of burnt hair - which I learned firsthand! Luckily for me I knew that “shaving your thicker darker hairs” was a common beauty myth. Scrubs glycolic acid and retinol creams should be avoided 2 days before and after treatment; I also started using facial mists and added additional moisturizers to my regimen as my skin dried. It is recommended that for a period of 2 weeks before and after laser treatments you avoid chemical peels and similarly wait 1-2 weeks before using fake tanning products. Fortunately lasers I used had a cooling mechanism (basically a blast of cold air that was constantly running right where laser was pointing) that really helped me. You can prepare for laser hair removal without waxing or plucking hairs from treatment area for 4-6 weeks prior to treatment; hairs follicles must be present to be treated - YOU SHOULD AVOID DEPILATION WAXING ELECTROLYSIS AND HAIR REMOVAL CREAMS FOR SIX WEEKS PRIOR TO TREATMENT. Next you'll discover clear facts and uncover all your myths about lasers from laser that triggers hair growth (rarely) to having avoid sun exposure (always). The hairs don't fall out immediately and process of falling out can sometimes feel like continuous growth. Because laser hair removal depends on skin and hair color, you should request a consultation with Kaiser Permanente Cosmetic Services for more information about this procedure.
