Laser hair removal has quickly become the most effective way to remove unwanted hair. This treatment is not only safe, but it’s more permanent than any other methods of hair removal including waxing, plucking, shaving and electrolysis.
Laser hair removal is not a one and done treatment option, and you will need, on average, five treatments in each area to achieve maximum results because of the natural phase of hair growth.
Read on to learn about the variety of considerations that determine how many laser treatments your body will need to be hair free.
Why isn’t one laser hair removal session enough?
Your body’s natural hair growth cycle includes a “resting” phase where at any given time, those resting areas are not part of the growth cycle. Due to the variation in the number of hairs in the resting phase, certain parts of your body will respond more rapidly to the laser treatment, whereas other parts might take much longer to show effects.
It’s also important to note that certain areas of your body respond more slowly to a laser hair removal treatment than others, just like you experience when shaving. While your leg hairs produce more rapidly, the fine hairs on your arms or face may take longer to respond.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
Laser hair removal works by aiming intense, pulsating light beams at hair follicles, damaging them and deterring future hair growth. The hair follicles are destroyed when pigment molecules within them absorb the energy in the laser beam.
Because of the way the lasers work, this treatment typically works best on those with light skin tone and dark hair. Modern technology is now making it possible to treat darker-skinned people, but the results may take longer, and the treatment may not be as effective as on those with lighter skin.
What circumstances make laser hair removal more challenging?
If you don’t fall under the ideal candidate category with light skin and dark hair, laser hair removal may still be a great treatment option for you, but it’s important to note the situations in which laser hair removal becomes more challenging such as:
- If your hair is blonde or white in color
- If you have dark hair and dark skin, it’s important for you to go to a treatment center that has lasers specifically designed for your skin tone
- If your skin is frequently exposed to the sun or you tan regularly
- If you have hormonal abnormalities like irregular periods or polycystic ovary syndrome
- If you will be unable to commit to a series of monthly appointments
Will laser hair removal be worth it?
When you choose laser hair removal, you’re gaining a lasting impact on your daily life. Unlike other hair removal methods, once the hair is gone, it’s gone for good. You will be gaining all of the below:
- Eliminating the need for waxing saving you from sticky residue and pulled skin
- Unaffected surrounding skin
- No downtime after a session
- No ingrown hairs
- Less painful than waxing, especially on sensitive areas
Be sure to plan ahead – winter is an ideal time to start laser hair removal!
Patients often don’t initially realize the number of treatments necessary to yield ideal results from a laser removal treatment. Treatments typically need to be spaced about 4-6 weeks apart, depending on the area being treated and there are typically 3-4 required treatments to achieve results.
While you’re having treatments, it’s vital to avoid sun exposure prior to and after a laser hair removal treatment session, making winter the ideal time to have hair removed. A couple of winter sessions will make you ready for that bikini and the beach come spring!
Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how you can throw out those razors and be hair free!