If you are tired of shaving, tweezing, plucking, waxing orthreading to achieve soft and smooth skin, laser hair removal could be theanswer for you. Traditional hair removal methods can be painful, time-consumingand expensive, making the long-lasting effects of laser hair removal anappealing alternative.
But what, exactly, is laser hair removal – or more precisely– laser hair reduction?
Laser hair reduction beams a highly concentrated light intothe hair follicle to slow or stop between 90% and 95% of unwanted hair growth. Thelaser is so accurate that it only destroys the hair growth you wish to stop. Themost frequent targets for laser hair reduction are on faces, legs, arms,underarms and bikini lines, although the technique can also be used on nearly any body part with unwanted hair.
It is worth noting that reduction of hair in female faces isnot permanent because changing hormones can stimulate hair growth. Theprocedure does result in permanent reduction in other areas of the body, as thosefollicles do not regenerate.
Research and a visit with a qualified dermatologist for anevaluation are your first steps on the road to smooth and soft skin. Read onfor things you should take into consideration.
The type of equipment matters
Not all lasers are created equal. Some lasers don’t reducehair well on darker skin tones. Does that mean people of color are out of luck?
Not at all.
Some lasers are specially designed to reduce hair on darkerskin tones. Uptown Dermatology in uptown Dallas uses the Sciton laser, whichhas special settings that allow it to work well on all skin types. It is alsoeffective in treating ingrown hairs.
The ideal candidates
You’re an ideal candidate if you have thick, coarse and darkhair in the area where you want less hair.
Fair-haired? Never fear. There’s hope for everyone. Thefirst step, of course, is making an appointment for an evaluation to determineif the process can be effective for you. All candidates for treatment, especiallythose with lighter hair color, are asked to not use self-tanning products, andto wait for a tan to fade before starting treatment. This helps increase thecontrast between hair color and skin color, improving the laser’s ability toprecisely target hair follicles.
How long it takes
How long the individual treatment sessions themselves andthe overall course of treatment lasts depends on a number of factors, includinglaser type, hair color, hair type and hair thickness. Most treatments requirebetween three and seven sessions.
Treatment sessions are spaced out every four to six weeks. This interval allows new hair and hair follicles to grow, giving the laser something to target at each successive appointment.
Clients will only see results from the first treatmentseveral weeks later. Even though you see a reduction of hair growth, it iscritical that you attend every session. Because hair follicles tend to be indifferent stages of growth, attending every session ensures the laser gets achance to target each one.
Occasionally, you may need to return for a touch-up treatment.One such example of that is for reduction of hair on women’s faces, wherehormones can stimulate the regrowth of follicles.
Certain ethnic backgrounds, such as those of Mediterraneanorigin, may require laser treatment every six to twelve months after theinitial series.
What to do before the treatment
In the six weeks leading up to your treatment, you shouldavoid tweezing, waxing or plucking any unwanted hairs.
At least three weeks before and following treatment, youshould use extra sun protection or even avoid the sun. Doing so prepares yourskin for the procedure and protects it as it heals.
The day of yourtreatment, it is important to shave the area beingtreated. Don’t wax or tweeze, which completely removes the hair, making itdifficult for the laser to locate the follicle.
What to expect during the session
Our trained medical staff will adjust the laser for yourspecific skin color, hair thickness and the location of the hair being treated.The procedure will likely cause some discomfort, but most patients tolerate thetreatment well. If targeting a sensitive area of the body, a topical anestheticmay be applied prior to treatment.
Our medical staff will activate the laser on the targetedbody part. A small area such as the upper lip may take 1 minute while a largearea, such as the upper leg, may take up to an hour.
Immediately after the procedure, cold water, ice packs or ananti-inflammatory cream may be applied to help lessen any pain you may feel.Most patients describe their skin as feeling slightly sunburned after the laserhair reduction treatment.
Hello, smooth skin
Following recommended before- and after-treatment carerecommendations will give you the best long-term results.
Clients should avoid saunas, hot showers, heavy exercise andsweating for 24hours after the treatment to minimize the chance for bacteria growth in thetreated area. Failure to avoid these conditions in the initial 24 hourspost-treatment could result in temporary funny-looking spots on your skin frombacteria growth that will then need to be treated before additional laser hairremoval sessions can continue.
We cannot emphasize enough the importance of using extracare outdoors, or even avoiding the sun between treatments. Being extra-kind toyour skin protects it and allows your body time to heal between procedures,leaving you the soft and smooth skin you deserve.
Book your laser hair removal or other cosmetic appointment at Uptown Dermatology today by calling 214-303-1102 or by filling out the form below.
Request a call to get more information about laser hair removal or to schedule your appointment today.
