Laser Hair Removal: FAQs

The availability of different treatment methods for removing unwanted hair on various areas of the body has made it easier to improve one’s physical appearance. Laser hair removal has been one of the most interesting treatments for cosmetic imperfections. Lasers have been used to treat other types of irregularities, but it has been a mainstay in the industry. Today, we will try to answer the frequently asked questions people have about laser hair removal.

Which Parts of The Body Can Be Treated with Laser Hair Removal?

All areas of the body can be treated with lasers except the eyelids. In most cases, laser hair removal is done to areas like the upper lip, arms, chest, back, under arms, bikini area, and the legs. These are the usual spots that most people do not want to have any signs of hair so that they would always look clean and smooth.

Is It Painful?

In most cases, extreme pain is not felt during this treatment method. Before you are even allowed to undergo treatment, a physician will evaluate your health condition to check if you are eligible for such treatment. Those who have skin diseases may feel pain because of the heightened sensitivity of their skin. However, these people usually fail their evaluations and are not allowed to proceed with the treatment. If you are among the people who are eligible to continue with the treatment, you may feel as if your skin was snapped with a rubber band. If you have a low threshold for pain, then you might feel some minor discomfort. The good thing with laser hair removal is that you do not experience the same level of pain that results from waxing.

How Safe Is This Type of Treatment?

This will depend on where you are getting your treatment. Reputable medical spas or clinics have licensed technicians that administer the procedures. Here at Solea Medical Spa & Beauty Lounge, you are assured that the members of our staff are certified and highly trained to do the respective treatments they are assigned with. They know if your condition would allow you to proceed with your chosen treatment.

What Are the Eligibility Criteria for A Person To Be Allowed To Undergo Laser Hair Removal?

A reputable medical spa has a licensed physician who will evaluate your condition if you are allowed to proceed with the treatment. However, there are certain conditions that would usually signal that you may be restricted in going on with the treatment. The most basic condition that would not allow you to proceed is pregnancy. There are medical conditions that would not bode well with laser hair removal. These may include pellagra, keloid scars, lupus, vitiligo, cold sores, psoriasis, and bleeding disorders. Also, you will not be allowed to be treated if you have recently gone through other hair removal treatments such as waxing and plucking or if you have recently taken depilatory creams.

What Happens During the Treatment Procedure?

Before the laser is actually used on your body, the doctor will apply some topical anesthesia. This will help lessen any form of discomfort that you might feel during the procedure. You will also be required to wear a pair of special goggles so that your eyes will not be affected by the laser. Once you are ready, the doctor will press a handheld laser device on your body. The laser emits concentrated beams of light. They are focused on the areas with unwanted hair. The laser will penetrate into the hair follicle. The light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle. The heat produced by the light will then destroy the hair bulb. The destruction of the hair bulb greatly affects the hair growth life cycle. This may significantly delay or stop hair growth.

How Long Does The Treatment Procedure Take?

It may depend on which area of the body is being treated. For smaller areas on the body, it may take around 30 minutes for the procedure to finish. However, if there are large areas that will be treated, the procedure can take at least an hour to finish.

How Fast Will You See The Results?

After each treatment, you can see immediate results, but they may not be 100% hair reduction. There are several factors that would give varying results for each patient. These factors may include the thickness and color of a patient’s hair, the area of the body that was treated, type and brand of the laser used during the treatment, and the color of the patient’s skin. It is safe to say that you may find at least a 10% reduction of your unwanted hair on your first treatment.

Will My Unwanted Hair Be Removed Permanently?

Hair removal treatments may give you surprising results, but these results may not completely remove all of your unwanted hair forever. Even with the effectiveness of laser hair treatment, there are always cases in which the hair does not have enough pigment to absorb the light from the laser, even if it is already in its active stage. The treatment may only be able to damage the hair follicles, which would only make the growth cycle slower. However, there are also cases where the pigment is enough for the hair follicle to absorb the light which may cause the destruction of the hair bulb. This can permanently stop that hair follicle from growing back.

How Long Will The Results Last?

Since the target of this treatment is to destroy all the hair follicles to disrupt the hair growth cycle, results may last for at least a couple of months, or sometimes they may reach more than a year. It really depends on the genetics of the patients. However, if you compare it with the results from traditional treatment methods, you will definitely see that this is aimed at the long-term. Furthermore, when unwanted hair eventually grows back, they become finer and lighter, which will be easier to remove in future treatments.

Why Is There A Need To Undergo Subsequent Treatments?

Since hair growth follows a cycle, you will never know if you have destroyed all the hair follicles that are in their early stages of the cycle. Laser hair removal is focused on destroying all the hair follicles while they are still in this early and active stage. Hair follicles may be in the stage of the growth cycle that is considered to be the dormant stage. This means that the hair follicles contain almost no pigment at all. Without this pigment, the hair follicles will not be able to absorb the light produced by the laser. There is a need for the hair follicles to continue with the growth cycle, so they go through the active stage, where there is more pigment. It may take between 4 to 6 treatments before patients may see all their unwanted hair gone.

How Far Apart Should Subsequent Treatments Be Taken?

This will depend on which areas of your body underwent treatment. Areas that contain hair that grows quickly, like the upper lip, can be treated again after 4 to 8 weeks from the previous treatment. For larger areas, like the back, these may be treated again 12 to 16 weeks from the previous treatment. These areas usually contain hair that has slower growth rate.

How Long Is The Downtime After Undergoing Laser Hair Removal?

There may be temporary redness, swelling, or itching after the therapy. These usually go away after a few hours. However, there are no major issues that would give patients downtime. You may go on with your scheduled activities for the day, but you must refrain from getting exposed to the sun. Also, you should also avoid doing strenuous things, like exercising or going to the gym within 24 hours after your treatment.

What Should Be Done And Avoided After Treatment?

Since your skin was heated during the treatment, you may need to stay in places that have a cold environment. You can take a cold shower once you arrive at your house. It is important that you do not expose yourself to sunlight and tanning equipment for at least 6 weeks after your treatment. You should also apply sunscreen with a minimum rating of SPF30. You should avoid undergoing other types of hair removal treatments in between laser removal sessions. There is a need for the hair follicles to be kept intact and follow through their normal rates in the hair growth life cycle.

Get Treated By A Reputable Medical Spa

Always remember that laser hair removal is a cosmetic treatment. Do not risk yourself from getting treated by spas and salons that do not employ licensed and well-trained staff. Reputable medical spas can properly evaluate your health condition before you undergo your laser hair removal treatment. This is very important because you might risk yourself getting into accidents, or you might aggravate any skin conditions that you may already have but you are not aware of. You may contact Solea Medical Spa & Beauty Lounge at 305-932-2555 for your hair removal needs.