What to Expect from Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a non-invasive, permanent procedure to remove unwanted body hair from common areas such as the bikini line, back, face, legs, and underarms. Say goodbye to ingrown hairs, irritation, razor burn, shaving, and expensive waxing appointments. Most people need about six treatments to achieve their hair-free skin efficiently.

How Laser Hair Removal Works

Laser hair removal uses light from a laser to send waves of safe and effective energy into your hair follicles. This energy destroys cells that contain a high concentration of pigment so that hair can no longer grow. As the follicles heat up, they disrupt the natural growth cycle. It can take a couple of weeks, but eventually the hairs shed away on their own.

The next time hair grows back, it is finer, lighter, and thinner. With each subsequent treatment, less and less hair continues to grow back until it eventually stops growing altogether. It depends on the person, but most men and women need a series of six to eight treatments, spaced four to eight weeks apart, to achieve optimal results. Although laser hair removal is permanent, in some cases, it’s possible to have new, sporadic hair growth that can be treated with touch-up sessions if necessary.

How to Prepare for Your Appointment

In the weeks leading up to your procedure, avoid tanning beds and stay out of the sun as much as possible. Naturally or artificially tanned skin can make laser hair removal less effective and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid drinking alcohol 24 hours before your treatment.

Shave the area that will be treated two to three days before a treatment. Laser hair removal treatments won’t work on hair that is longer than a grain of rice. Once you have begun the treatments, it is important to avoid plucking, tweezing, or waxing any hairs in the treated areas.

It is important to note that laser hair services cannot be performed on women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive. Bikini laser services will not be performed on menstruating clients.

What to Expect During Your Appointment

Laser hair removal is safe and effective for most people, but should only be performed by a qualified healthcare provider like the practitioners at Calvine Medical Aesthetics. The procedure can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the area being treated.

First, your healthcare provider will thoroughly clean the area. Next they will treat your skin with the laser. You will feel a series of stings, similar to a rubber band snapping against your skin. It is normal to experience slight discomfort, especially in sensitive areas, but you should not be in pain.

What to Expect After Your Treatment

Immediately after your treatment, your skin might be red, swollen, and a little uncomfortable. It is normal for the treated area to feel like a sunburn for a few hours. A cold compress will help soothe your sensitive skin. Gently wash the area with mild soap and keep it clean and dry for the next 48 hours.

Treated hairs normally begin to shed 5-30 days after your treatment. They will resemble new hair growth, but they are actually dead hair pushing themselves out of the follicle. You can accelerate this process by gently exfoliating the treated area.

Avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen for the next two months to reduce the chance of dark or light spots. Try to avoid picking or scratching the treated skin and do not use any other hair removal methods or products, other than shaving to achieve the best results. On average, most people will experience a level of hairless happiness after six to eight sessions.

Laser hair removal is a relatively painless, non-invasive procedure that permanently removes unwanted hair on the body with minimal downtime or side effects. If you are interested in learning more about this series of treatments, schedule a consultation with a qualified laser practitioner at Calvine Medical Aesthetics today and see if you are an ideal candidate.