Laser Hair Removal Langley uses heat to destroy unwanted hair follicles. It’s safer and less painful than waxing, plucking, or shaving. It’s also not permanent, but it can reduce hair growth by 90% with treatments and yearly touch-ups.
It works best on people with light skin and dark hair because the contrast between pigments makes it easier for the laser to locate and destroy the follicle. However, it’s safe for almost everyone else.
Laser Hair Removal works by using a highly concentrated beam of light to eliminate unwanted hair. The laser light is absorbed by the pigment in your skin and hair, which creates heat that destroys the hair follicle and prevents it from growing more hair. The process is not painful, but it does produce redness and swelling in the treatment area that usually subside within a day or two. You may want to use a cold compress on the treatment area to reduce any discomfort.
It’s important that you choose an experienced and licensed practitioner who will perform your laser hair removal procedure. Ask about their credentials and whether they’re on a register to show that they meet certain standards of training, skill, and insurance. It’s also a good idea to consult with your doctor or dermatologist before going ahead with the treatment.
Before the treatment, it’s best to trim or shave the area that will be treated. This removes the hair above the surface and protects the skin from damage during the procedure. You’ll also need to avoid sunless tanning creams or other skin products that darken the area, and you may be asked to stop plucking or waxing in advance of the session. Your doctor may also advise you to stop taking medications that thin the blood, such as aspirin.
Laser hair removal doesn’t permanently remove hair or prevent it from regrowing, but it does significantly reduce the number of hairs that grow in an area and makes them lighter and finer when they do. Most people need multiple sessions to achieve this result, and regular maintenance treatments may be required in order to keep the area hair-free.
How Long Does It Take?
In most cases, laser hair removal takes less than an hour to complete. The amount of time depends on the size and scope of the treatment area. The technician will apply a gel or coolant to the skin and then give you a pulse of light from the laser. You may feel a slight burning or tingling sensation during your treatment. This is normal, and many people compare it to the sensation of a warm pinprick. A topical numbing cream can be used to reduce discomfort during the procedure.
The heat from the laser destroys a hair follicle, so that it can no longer grow hair. However, hair follicles go through cycles of resting, shedding and growing, so some hair will regrow after a laser treatment. Some hair follicles are also harder to destroy than others, so you may need more treatments to achieve permanent hair reduction.
You can usually see results from laser hair removal right after your treatment. However, it typically takes between three and eight treatment sessions to get the desired result. You will also need touch-up sessions yearly to maintain the desired effect.
Some people choose to undergo laser hair removal for cosmetic reasons, while others do it because of medical conditions, such as hirsutism (women with excessive body hair) or hypertrichosis (excessive facial or chest hair). It’s important to discuss your motivations for undergoing the procedure with your doctor before you start treatment.
To prepare for laser hair removal, avoid tanning or using sunless tanners in the weeks before your appointment. This will help your skin and hair absorb the laser’s light more effectively. You should also avoid waxing, tweezing or plucking hair in the treated areas.
Does It Work on All Skin Types?
The laser’s light energy heats up the dark pigment, melanin, in hair follicles, and this damage stops regrowth effectively. This is why Laser Hair Removal works best on individuals with thick, dark hair and light skin, as the contrast between hair color and skin tone helps the laser target follicles. But it’s not impossible for people with dark hair and skin to have a successful treatment, especially as advances in technology have made laser treatments more effective for all Fitzpatrick complexions, including darker skin types.
If you’re interested in Laser Hair Removal, the first step is to find a licensed and experienced provider. There are many different providers who offer the service, but it’s important to choose one with the right equipment and techniques for your specific skin type and area of concern. The best way to do this is to request a consultation and ask for pricing information before scheduling any treatments.
During your complimentary consultation, your Medical Provider will explain how Laser Hair Removal works on your specific skin type and what you can expect from the treatment. They may also recommend a series of sessions and a maintenance plan to keep the areas you want free of unwanted hair for months or even years.
You’ll likely need to schedule multiple treatments, between 6-12 sessions. This is because the laser destroys only hair follicles that are actively growing, so it takes several sessions to target all of them in this stage. After the final treatment, hair that does regrow will typically grow back lighter in color and be finer and less dense than before. If you follow your treatment plan and avoid sun exposure, you can often maintain results for years.
What Are the Side Effects?
Laser hair removal is safe for most people, but there are some risk factors to consider. You should avoid this treatment if you have a skin disease like psoriasis or keloid scarring, or if you’re pregnant. It’s also not recommended for people with a history of cold sore outbreaks or other herpes infections.
You might experience some pain or discomfort during your laser hair removal sessions. Some people compare the feeling to a warm pinprick, but it’s typically less painful than waxing and shaving. A topical anesthetic is sometimes used to minimize your reaction, but the irritation usually subsides quickly.
According to ASAPS, redness or discoloration, swelling and mild pain are common side effects of laser hair removal. These symptoms should fade within a few hours. If you have sensitive skin, you can reduce these side effects by putting a cool compress or ice pack on the treated area. You can also take acetaminophen or anti-inflammatory medications if necessary.
Scarring is another potential side effect of laser hair removal, but it should only occur if the practitioner makes an error. It’s important to find a qualified practitioner and follow their instructions for prepping for and caring for your session.
Laser hair removal is a great choice for people who want to get rid of unwanted body hair. It’s an effective alternative to shaving, and it requires less maintenance in the long run. The only downside is that it can take several treatments over a period of time to achieve significant results. However, most patients do not see any regrowth of unwanted hair for months or years after they finish their laser hair removal series.
Will Hair Grow Back?
If you want to get rid of your unwanted hair for good, laser treatments are an excellent option. They are less costly and more permanent than other options, like shaving or waxing. Plus, they don’t leave the bumps and itching associated with those methods.
One thing to keep in mind is that hair does grow back, but it is usually lighter or thinner than before. This is because not all of your hair follicles are active at the same time. Only those in the anagen (growth) phase are affected by the heat of the laser. This is why most patients require 4 – 6 treatments for optimal results. The goal is to get the majority of your hair follicles into the anagen phase for permanent results.
The location of the hair being removed will also play a role in how long the treatment lasts. For example, thicker unwanted hair on the arms, legs or pubic area may need more treatments to remove it completely than hair on the face, neck or upper lip. Some people also experience hair regrowth in areas that were not treated, which is called paradoxical hypertrichosis. This is usually a result of the hair follicles in those areas being in a different growth cycle than the ones on the areas that were treated.
Other factors that can affect the results of laser hair removal include your skin type and color, your hormones and how quickly your hair grows. For instance, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often have thicker hair in the chin and breasts, which may take longer to respond to laser treatment than hair on other parts of the body.
