Laser hair removal is a popular cosmetic procedure offering long-lasting and sometimes permanent solutions to getting rid of unwanted body hair. If you’re considering investing in laser hair removal so you can say goodbye to shaving, waxing, and plucking for good, it can be helpful to first understand more about how it works and what you can expect.
At Metro Dermatology, we’ve helped countless clients in Queens, NY, achieve smooth, hair-free skin. Here is your comprehensive guide to laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure that uses laser technology to remove unwanted hair. During laser hair removal, we use a specialized laser to emit concentrated beams of light into the skin. The light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair, otherwise known as melanin.
Once in the skin, light energy converts to heat and damages the hair follicles responsible for hair production. The damage from the laser both inhibits and delays future hair growth.
Lasers are carefully calibrated so they only target pigment, which means the surrounding skin is left undamaged. This is why laser hair removal is one of the most popular and commonly performed cosmetic treatments.
Traditional methods of hair removal, like shaving and waxing, are not only time-consuming and cumbersome, but they also often result in ingrown hairs and other skin irritants. With laser hair removal, you have a long-term solution that’s better for your skin — without the need for constant maintenance.
Laser hair removal is effective in multiple areas of the body, including:
Laser hair removal treatment is commonly associated with women, but it’s popular with men, too. Our male clients typically choose areas like the back and chest for laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal is the most permanent hair removal method available for removing unwanted hair on the body and face. Our advanced laser technology disables any hair follicles in the treatment area that are in the active growing phase. This means that regrowth in that area will be significantly reduced after repeated treatments — or stopped completely.
How long your laser hair removal results last depends largely on your body. Some factors that can affect whether hair grows back and how quickly include:
If it does grow back, it’s typically much finer and lighter in color. We recommend maintenance treatments every six months or so to maintain your laser hair removal results. And if your hair grows back faster, then touch-up treatments can help keep your skin hair-free.
Before undergoing laser hair removal, you need to properly prepare to ensure you can enjoy the best possible results. Here’s what’s involved leading up to a laser hair removal procedure:
Your journey begins with a consultation, where we review your medical history, discuss your goals and areas you want to treat, and determine whether you’re a good candidate for laser hair removal treatment.
The next step is for you to avoid sun exposure as much as possible. Sun exposure can make your skin more sensitive and isn’t good for your overall skin health. When outside, make sure you wear sunscreen and protective clothing, and stick to shaded areas when possible.
Avoid plucking and waxing leading up to laser hair removal, as these methods can disturb the hair follicles.
We will ask you to shave the treated area before your appointment. This is different from waxing and plucking since shaving doesn’t remove the roots of the hair, which is what the laser targets.
During the actual laser hair removal service, you’ll wear protective goggles to keep your eyes safe from the laser beam. We’ll apply a topical cooling gel to your skin, which helps the laser light better penetrate.
Next, we’ll start initiating pulses of light to the treatment area. We’ll also watch the area to make sure optimal settings are used. This is important because every area of the body is different. For example, bikini laser hair removal settings aren’t going to be the same as the settings for upper lip hair removal.
Once treatment is complete, there’s no downtime. You can immediately resume your routine.
Over the course of the weeks following your treatment, the treated hair will fall out. You should wear sunscreen proactively to protect your skin. We’ll schedule your next appointment for four to six weeks later. The number of treatments you receive will depend on your body and the rate of your hair growth.
We have to target your hair during its growth phase, and hair in the same section of the body can be on a different growth cycle. This is why multiple sessions are required — not only so you can achieve more permanent results, but also so that we can target each and every individual hair in a single treatment area.
If you’re ready to start your journey to permanent hair removal, trust your skin to a practice that prioritizes patient-centered care and provides top-quality treatments that are both safe and effective. At Metro Dermatology, we’re experts on all variations of hair removal — from bikini laser hair removal to legs, face, and back.
To learn more about our services and to schedule a consultation, contact us today.
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