The answer is yes. However, laser hair removal is only safe when an expert licensed technician performs the procedure.
Laser hair removal involves the use of laser pulses. These pulses emit light into the skin that destroys the root and follicle of the hair. When the root and follicle are destroyed, hair can no longer grow. For this process to work, the hair must be targeted during an active growth phase. However, individual hairs usually grow at different rates. Therefore, it takes several treatment sessions to capture every hair in the growth phase and produce optimal results.
Most people see permanent results, while some people may need a touch-up treatment every six to twelve months. Results vary depending on your hair type and skin type. Proper preparation and aftercare can also affect how long the results last.
It is best to play it safe and avoid laser hair removal while you’re pregnant. There is no evidence to suggest that it is unsafe, but there have not been long-term studies to analyze the effect of the laser on an unborn child. To protect your unborn baby, wait until after you’ve given birth to begin laser hair removal treatment.
Anyone can get laser hair removal, regardless of skin color or hair type. However, people with light skin and dark hair tend to see faster and better results than people with light hair or a darker skin tone. Any man or woman can have the treatments, though pregnant women should wait until after they’ve given birth to begin their sessions.
In most cases, you’ll need between six and twelve treatments. These treatments are spaced out four to eight weeks apart. The waiting period is necessary to target every hair follicle while it’s in an active stage of the growth cycle.
No, laser hair removal generally does not require any real downtime. Immediately after having laser hair removal, your treated skin will be red and swollen. Despite this, most people return to their everyday activities.
Most patients remain hair free for months or even years. When some of the hair regrows, it will likely be less noticeable. To keep the area free of hair, a patient may need maintenance laser treatments.
This varies from patient to patient. Removing hair often requires a series of laser treatments. Most patients can have laser hair removal once every 4 to 6 weeks. Your dermatologist will tell you when it is safe to have another treatment. Most patients see some hair regrowth. Your dermatologist can tell you when you can safely have laser treatments to maintain the results.
Lasers play an important role in treating many conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails. In recent years, many advances have been made in laser medicine. Dermatologists have led the way in making these advances. One such advance is that more people can safely have laser hair removal. In the past, only people with dark hair and light skin could safely have laser hair removal. Today, laser hair removal is a treatment option for patients who have light-colored hair and light skin and patients who have dark skin. Laser hair removal must be performed very carefully in these patients. Dermatologists know what precautions to take to provide laser hair removal safely and effectively.
Before the treatment, the area to be treated will be cleansed. Some patients receive a numbing gel. Numbing the area to be treated helps when a small area will be treated and the skin is very sensitive. It takes about 30 to 60 minutes for a numbing gel to work. The laser treatment will take place in a room set up specifically for laser treatments. Everyone in the room must wear protective eyewear during the procedure. To perform the procedure, the skin is held taut and the skin is treated with the laser. Many patients say that the laser pulses feel like warm pinpricks or a rubber band being snapped against the skin. A laser removes hair by vaporizing it. This causes small plumes of smoke that have a sulfur-like smell. How long your treatment lasts depends on the size of the area being treated. Treating the upper lip takes minutes. If you are having a large area like the back or legs treated, your treatment may last more than an hour.
