Knowing More about Laser Hair Removal
For permanent hair removal, doctors consider using laser technology. They can use laser technology to remove hair from locations such as legs, arms, upper lip, armpits, bikini line, and chin. You can also undergo the removal of unwanted hair on any part of your body apart from your eyelids. However, you might not be eligible for this technology if you have tattoos.
The success of the procedure depends on the pigment of your hair. Can the hair absorb the light? Once the hair absorbs the laser, it damages the follicle. The higher the contrast between the hair and the skin, the more your skin is at risk of damage. However, with advanced laser technologies, people with dark skin can undergo laser hair removal treatment.
Benefits
The benefits of laser hair loss technology include:
- During the hair removal procedure, the lasers can selectively target dark and coarse hairs and leave your skin undamaged.
- In 3 to 7 sessions, you can achieve permanent hair loss.
- Each pulse of the laser takes milliseconds to treat many hairs at a time. For areas such as your upper lip, the treatment can take only a minute.
Preparing for a Hair Removal Using Laser Technology
Before getting the procedure, you should consider a doctor with a specialty in dermatology or cosmetic surgery. He or she should also be board-certified.
Next, schedule an appointment with the doctor to determine if you are an eligible candidate for the procedure. During the appointment, your dentist might do the following:
- Review your medical history, history of skin disorders and any hair removal procedures in the past
- Take images for before and after the procedure impressions
- Discuss your expectations, benefits, and risks of the procedure
Your doctor can also discuss your treatment plan during the appointment.
He will then recommend you to do the following:
- Avoid exposure to the sun and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen while going out
- Do not use any sunless bleaching creams before the procedure
- Four weeks before the procedure, avoid any other hair removal technique
- Trim or shave the site of removal a day before the treatment
- Avoid blood-thinning medications before the procedure
What Should I Expect?
For a successful laser hair loss treatment, you will require up to 6 sessions. Your doctor will then plan the intervals of treatment depending on the location. For areas where hair grows fast,the doctor will recommend treatments every 4 to 8 weeks. If the site has slow hair growth, he or she might recommend treatment every 8 to 16 weeks.
During the Procedure
During the procedure, your doctor will ask you to put on special goggles to protect your eyes from the laser. Your doctor’s assistant might shave the area and apply topical anesthesia to reduce discomfort during the procedure.
Next, the doctor will press a hand-held laser instrument to your skin. He or she can apply a cooling gel on the tip of the instrument to reduce the side effects. Once the doctor activates the laser, the beam will pass through your skin to the hair follicles. The intense heat from the laser will damage the hair follicles, thus inhibiting hair growth.
Risks Associated With the Procedure
The risks vary depending on hair color, skin type, pre-treatment, post-treatment care. Some of the side effects include:
- Temporary discomfort, swelling, and redness due to skin irritation
- Darkening or lightening of your skin on the sites of hair removal
- In rare cases, blistering, scarring and changes in skin texture
In case these side effects are severe, you should contact your doctor for treatment
Recovery
To reduce discomfort after the procedure, you can apply an ice pack over the area. If you experience skin irritation immediately after the procedure, the doctor might apply steroid cream on the affected area.
The dentist will also ask you to avoid direct sunlight after the procedure. You can avoid tan beds for at least two weeks and use a broad-spectrum SPF30 sunscreen daily.
Finding a Doctor
Do you need hair removal treatment using laser technology? At Foreviva Medical Clique in Menlo Park, CA, we use Alma Laser Harmony XL SHR Hair Removal Lasers. The technology is certified as well as our doctors. Therefore, you will not have to worry about complications.