Laser Hair
Reduction

Pros 

• If you’re tired of ongoing plucking, shaving, or waxing, laser hair removal could help simplify your life and decrease ingrown hairs.
• The laser precisely targets and removes hair, while leaving the skin undamaged.

Cons

• Your initial cycle of treatments will take at least six months to complete, and possibly longer—so you’ll need to start well in advance of any major beach plans.
• The hair removal isn’t technically permanent: think of it as permanent hair reduction, not removal.
• While there are options for people with deep skin tones, laser hair removal works best for people with fair skin and dark hair.
• Not all of the hair on your body will respond in the same way. Doctors say coarse, fast-growing hair on the face, underarms, and bikini area usually responds best.
• The process can be uncomfortable, depending on your threshold for pain. Some say it feels like a snapping rubber band, while others report heat and a burning sensation.
• Sun exposure can increase skin irritation in the days following a treatment, so limit time in direct sun for the treated areas.

This treatment works best for people with light skin and dark hair, since the contrast makes it easier for the laser to target the pigment in the hair follicle. Replace with “Results may be more variable for those who have light hair (blonde, red, or gray) on fair skin.

Possible laser hair removal side effects include:

• Mild swelling around the hair follicles

• Pigment changes may occur, especially in those with darker skin – these changes are usually temporary

• Slight redness of the skin

• Temporary irritation resulting in blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture

To prep for a laser hair reduction treatment, the hair in the area being treated should not be plucked or waxed for at least 2 weeks before the treatment. Hair should be shaved prior to the treatment

The treatment area will be numbed with a topical numbing gel. You and your medical provider will wear protective eyewear during the procedure so the laser will not damage the eyes. We will provide the eyewear. The skin is held taught when being treated with the laser. Patients have reported that the laser pulses feel like a rubber band snapping against the skin or like warm pinpricks. Treatment time depends on the area being treated, with larger areas taking longer than smaller areas.

For a day or two afterward, the treated area of your skin may look and feel like it’s sunburned, so you might need to use cool compresses or a gentle moisturizer. If your face was treated, you can safely wear makeup the next day unless your skin feels irritated. 

Take these tips for a smoother recovery:

• Avoid sun exposure. Any time you anticipate being out in the sun, apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30. 
• Shave to remove any hair between laser sessions, but refrain from threading, waxing, and tweezing. If you’ve decided not to continue with your laser hair removal for the time being, then you can go ahead and use any method to remove hair in the interim.
• For the first few days, avoid perfumes, deodorant (if you’ve lasered your underarms) and hot showers or saunas. Take a lukewarm shower instead.
• It’s common to experience some swelling, itching, and redness after laser hair removal due to irritation of the hair follicles. You may try taking an antihistamine and applying hydrocortisone a few times a day to relieve redness and itching
• Wait for 24 hours after laser hair removal in the bikini area for the swelling to go down before you have sex.

Most people see a significant reduction in hair after eight treatment sessions. You can expect about 70% hair reduction once you complete a series of treatments (usually six to eight). Follow up visits may be needed to treat regrowth and to maintain the results.

With each treatment, the actively growing hair follicle is destroyed. Less blood flows to the follicle, and the hair that does grow back will gradually become weaker and thinner. 

While your hair won’t always fall out immediately, it will eventually get there. Some hairs are ejected as soon as they’re lasered, while others can continue to grow and fall out over time.

Laser hair removal will permanently reduce hair growth, but it doesn’t permanently remove it in all cases. Any hair the laser can’t destroy can be removed through electrolysis.