Laser Hair Removal In Langley is one of the most common non-invasive cosmetic procedures. It’s quick, convenient and produces results that last longer than shaving, waxing or plucking.
During the procedure, a doctor will press a laser instrument against your skin. You might feel a sensation similar to a rubber band snapping against your skin or a stinging sensation.
Laser hair removal uses the power of concentrated light to reduce unwanted hair. The heat from the laser destroys the hair follicle, preventing it from growing new hair. This can reduce the appearance of unwanted hair and eliminate the need for shaving, tweezing or waxing. Laser hair removal is a safe and effective treatment for most people. However, it should only be performed by an experienced healthcare provider to avoid burns and scarring. It is not permanent, and hair will regrow in some cases, but it will be finer, lighter and less noticeable than before.
Unlike shaving, which can cause razor bumps and ingrown hairs, laser hair removal is gentler on the skin. It also provides more precision than other hair removal methods. It can remove small areas in a fraction of a second, or larger areas such as the legs and arms within an hour.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves several laser systems for hair removal, including ruby (694 nm), alexandrite (755 nm), diode (810-900 nm) and Q-switched neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (1,064 nm). The color of your hair and the shade of your skin affects how well the laser will work for you. Darker hair and skin color provide a better contrast that makes it easier for the laser to target the pigment and damage only the hair follicle.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser hair removal works by a process known as selective photothermolysis. During the procedure, a laser beam is set at a particular wavelength that is attracted to melanin in the unwanted hair. The laser beam is then absorbed by the pigment, which is converted to heat that damages the dermal papilla and stops or slows new hair growth.
For the best results, your practitioner will recommend a series of treatments over two to six sessions. For your comfort, we may apply a topical anesthetic to the treatment area before the procedure starts. It is also important to avoid waxing and plucking for four to six weeks before your laser hair removal appointment, as these activities remove the hair follicles from the root of the hair and prevent the laser from targeting them. We also recommend shaving the day before your appointment, as long as it is not too short.
Depending on the color of your skin and your type of hair, you may require more or less treatments. Once a sufficient number of treatment sessions are performed, the hair in the treated area will be permanently destroyed and will not regrow. However, even when the hair does eventually grow back, it will be thinner and finer than before the treatment.
What Are the Benefits of Laser Hair Removal?
Unlike other hair removal methods, which only remove the surface of unwanted hair, laser treatment destroys the root and prevents hair growth for months or years. It’s one of the most cost-effective long-term treatments for reducing the appearance of unwanted hair.
You can save time and energy by eliminating the need for shaving or waxing. Many patients appreciate the freedom to avoid embarrassing situations that require a quick hair-free fix such as untrimmed bikini lines or a dingy back.
Laser treatment can also reduce the incidence of ingrown hairs, which can cause painful bumps and inflammation. Unlike shaved or waxed hair, laser treatment can target the hair roots directly, and the hair that does eventually grow back tends to be finer and lighter in color.
The skin will feel silky smooth and is less prone to stray hairs. It also takes longer for hair to grow back after a session, and the regrowth is usually much sparser than before.
For the best results, it’s important to stop plucking, electrolysis and waxing 6 weeks prior to your first laser hair removal session. It’s also important to avoid sun exposure, as this can make your skin more sensitive to the laser light.
How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Take?
If you are considering laser hair removal to reduce unwanted body hair, it is important to understand what the procedure entails. It is a medical procedure that must be performed by an experienced board-certified dermatologist. In the hands of a skilled practitioner, laser hair removal is safe and effective. However, at-home laser hair removal devices are unregulated and can cause unwanted side effects.
The heat from the laser light destroys the hair follicle, so it can no longer grow. However, since the hair growth cycle is dynamic, hair will regrow from other destroyed follicles. This is why it takes multiple treatment sessions to achieve permanent hair reduction.
For example, the pubic area typically requires six laser hair removal treatment sessions to achieve a smooth, hair-free appearance. For this reason, it is important to schedule your treatment sessions in alignment with the natural hair growth cycle.
It is also a good idea to avoid waxing, plucking and electrolysis treatments before your laser hair removal appointment as these can interfere with the effectiveness of treatment. Additionally, you should shave the day of or morning of your treatment session to ensure that there is hair present for the laser to target.
What Are the Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is safe and relatively painless. It may cause slight redness and swelling afterward, which can be minimized by applying cooling gel. Some people also experience skin sensitivity, which usually goes away after a few hours.
If you’re worried about the side effects of laser treatment, consult with your practitioner about them before your first session. Your specialist will help you choose the best type of laser for your skin and hair color or type, and can advise you on how to prepare before your treatment. For example, you should avoid sun exposure and sunless skin creams that darken your skin tone before laser treatment. You should also shave before your treatment and avoid plucking, waxing or electrolysis, since these methods disturb the hair follicle and may cause complications during your laser treatment.
Laser hair removal works best on contrast between your skin and hair color, meaning that it’s most effective for people with light skin and dark hair. However, it can be used on all types of skin. It’s important to have your treatment performed by a licensed and certified professional to prevent burns and scars. In addition, it’s a good idea to use sunscreen after your treatment.
How Can I Prepare for Laser Hair Removal?
Before your laser hair removal session, it’s important to cleanse the area you’ll be treating. This helps to ensure that the skin is completely bare, as creams or lotions can prevent the lasers from penetrating the skin and working properly. You should also avoid applying any topical products to the treatment area in the days leading up to your appointment.
Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that you don’t wax, pluck or shave the treatment area before your session. This is because laser energy travels down the hair shaft to destroy the hair follicle. If you pull out or remove the hair before your laser hair removal session, the laser will not be able to reach the follicle, so it cannot destroy it.
You’ll also need to protect the treated area with broad-spectrum sunscreen when you go outside for the two months following your treatments. This will help prevent sunburns, which can interfere with the effectiveness of your laser treatments.
How Can I Get Laser Hair Removal?
Unlike shaving or waxing, which remove the hair at the surface of the skin, laser hair removal targets the pigment in the hair follicles and destroys them. The result is permanent hair reduction that often requires 6-10 treatment sessions for best results.
You should stop waxing, tweezing or plucking your unwanted hairs for at least two weeks prior to a laser treatment session. It’s also important to avoid sun exposure or tanning beds because the sun’s melanin can make laser treatments less effective or cause complications afterward.
The procedure itself is fast, relatively painless and non-invasive. Some people report a slight feeling of discomfort, similar to the sensation of a rubber band lightly snapping the skin. Dr. Green always uses the highest-quality lasers for laser hair removal, and her office offers a cooling device to keep your skin comfortable during treatment.
You may see a few new hairs growing in the weeks after your laser treatment, but they are typically finer and lighter in color. Most patients continue to see a reduction in unwanted hair growth for several months or years, and when the hair does regrow, it’s usually less noticeable. We recommend scheduling your follow-up treatments 4-6 weeks apart to maintain the most optimal results.