Can Hair Be Permanently Removed by Laser?
If you’re tired of shaving, waxing or using tweezers to remove unwanted hair, laser hair removal may be right for you. But can you get permanent results?
It depends on several factors. You might need to come in for touch-up treatments once or twice a year. But laser hair removal is still a much better option than traditional methods that require frequent and expensive upkeep.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser hair removal relies on the contrast between dark, thick hair and light skin to target and damage the hair follicle. It does not work on patients with white or gray hair because there is no pigmentation in the follicle to absorb and reflect the laser light. It also does not work well on red hair because it has a different type of pigmentation than brown or black hair. However, new developments in laser technology are allowing for devices that may be able to treat these types of hair in the future.
For this reason, it is important to get laser hair removal done by a trained and experienced technicians who possess a strong passion for their work from Laser Hair Removal College Station. During your laser treatment, the technician will put on eye protection and then apply a cooling gel to the area of the skin that is being treated. Then they will give the skin a pulse of light, which feels like a series of warm pinpricks to the patient. Most people describe this sensation as slightly painful, but it is not as painful as other hair removal methods.
How Long Do Laser Hair Removal Treatments Last?
The number of laser hair removal treatments you require varies for each area of your body. For example, hair on the neck grows quickly and may need to be treated every four weeks, while some areas of the body grow more slowly and may only need treatment once a month.
During each treatment session, the doctor will press a hand-held laser instrument against the skin. The instrument will have a cool gel or other cooling device to protect the surface of your skin and help the laser light penetrate more deeply into the dermis. You may experience a sensation that feels like warm pinpricks, but the discomfort is generally short-lived.
When the laser light passes through the dermis, it damages the pigment and destroys the hair follicle. The heat that damages the follicle also stops it from growing new hair. It will take a while for your hair to regrow after you receive laser treatment.
For best results, it's important to find a qualified practitioner who has extensive training in performing cosmetic laser procedures. Ask your doctor for recommendations or check that the person who performs your laser treatment is on a register to prove they meet set standards for training, skill and insurance.
Can Laser Hair Removal Work on All Skin Types?
For the best results, it’s important to talk with a doctor or hair removal specialist before your first laser treatment. They can help you decide if the procedure is right for you and produce realistic expectations. Depending on your skin complexion and hair type, it might take multiple treatments to achieve the desired results. Hair growth is regulated by hormones, so you might still have some hair regrow after your treatments are complete.
Laser hair removal is safe for all skin colors and types, but it works better on people with dark hair and light skin. This is because the contrast between the pigment in your hair and skin color makes it easier for the laser to target your melanin. Blond, white and gray hair are harder to treat, but improvements in laser technology continue to be made for these types of hair.
Compared to other options, like shaving, laser treatments are more comfortable and require less maintenance. It’s also less invasive than electrolysis or waxing, so you don’t have to worry about nicks and cuts. Most patients experience temporary discomfort and redness after their treatment, but these effects typically dissipate within a few hours.
Can Laser Hair Removal Work on All Hair Colors?
The laser light used in hair removal targets the pigment melanin found in dark skin and hair. As a result, early machines were most effective for people with light complexions who had dark hair because the contrast between the skin and hair made it easier for the laser to identify the melanin and destroy the follicle.
Today’s modern machines have evolved, however, and they are capable of targeting even light coloured hairs. The key is to treat each hair follicle in the anagen phase when it’s actively growing and most likely to respond to the laser treatment. For this reason, many clients require several treatments in order to ensure that all of the hairs are targeted while they’re in the active growth cycle.
Although the process may seem like it would be painful, laser hair removal is not. Most of our patients compare the sensation to a rubber band snapping against their skin. Some areas of the body, such as the thighs, may be more sensitive than others, but the treatment does not last long. To avoid discomfort during your appointment, don’t apply lotion or deodorant before the procedure and avoid tanning before or between sessions.
Can Laser Hair Removal Work on All Hair Follicles?
For laser hair removal to be effective, the hair follicle must contain pigment. This is why it works best on dark hair against light skin, because the contrast between the two makes the hair follicle easier to detect. Lasers cannot detect red, blonde or white hair because they lack pigment and do not absorb the light energy needed to be absorbed by the follicle.
If a hair follicle is disabled by laser treatment, it will not grow hair again for a long time. However, the hairs that do eventually regrow are usually lighter, finer and fewer in number than the original unwanted hairs. Laser hair removal is a safe procedure, but you should avoid waxing or plucking your hair in the weeks leading up to and following your treatments.
Several treatment sessions are typically required to achieve significant hair reduction. You may experience some redness and swelling around the treated area, but it is not a reason to cancel your appointment. During the recovery period, you should moisturize and stay out of the sun to prevent skin discoloration or blistering. It is also important to make sure that the technician who performs your laser treatment has credentials, and you should avoid spas and salons that allow nonmedical personnel to do laser treatments.
Can Laser Hair Removal Work on All Hair Stages?
The goal of laser hair removal is to destroy the follicles that produce unwanted hair, leaving them unable to grow new hair in their place. This can reduce or eliminate the need to shave, wax, pluck or otherwise remove unwanted hair, saving time and money in the long run. The treatment is safe for most people, but it can take multiple treatments to see results.
The treatment works best on dark hair follicles that contain melanin, so it is not an effective option for light or red hair. Also, the treatment is less effective on extremely fine hairs because it can be difficult to detect them with the laser.
The treatment requires several sessions because hair growth and shedding occur in cycles. The first phase is anagen, which lasts for a few weeks and is when the hair is actively growing. The next phase is catagen, a short transitional period where the hair stops growing and shrinks in size. The follicle then regresses and detaches from the dermal papilla. The final phase is telogen, when the hair follicles are resting and not producing hair. It can take up to a year for the follicles to enter anagen again.
Can Laser Hair Removal Work on All Hair Types?
The laser light used in the hair removal process is more highly absorbed by darker pigments than lighter ones. This is why only certain hair types can be treated with this method. Blond hair, for instance, does not contain enough melanin to respond positively to the laser's light. This is why waxing is often a better option for people with lighter hair color.
For those interested in ending their dependence on shaving, waxing or plucking their unwanted hair, laser hair removal can be a great option. Although multiple sessions are often required, once the hair follicle is destroyed it cannot grow back.
However, the effectiveness of laser hair removal depends on a few factors, including the spot size of the laser and its fluence. A larger spot size allows the laser to penetrate deeper into the skin and destroy the underlying hair follicle.
In general, laser hair removal feels like a warm pinprick to the skin, but each person's experience is unique. To help reduce discomfort, your aesthetician may apply a topical numbing cream before the procedure begins. Afterward, you can usually expect some redness and swelling, but these symptoms are temporary. To keep the treatment area as comfortable as possible, you can also apply ice or aloe after your sessions.
If you’re tired of shaving, waxing or using tweezers to remove unwanted hair, laser hair removal may be right for you. But can you get permanent results? It depends on several factors. You might need to come in for touch-up treatments once or twice a year. But laser hair removal is still a much better…