What is laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is among the most sought-after cosmetic procedures in the United States. It uses an intense, pulsating beam of light to permanently destroy unwanted hair follicles. Laser hair removal can be used to remove unwanted hair from the face, arm, leg, bikini line, underarm, and several other areas of the body.
How it works
Regardless of the area you are interested in reducing body hair, laser hair removal can help you. The laser energy is attracted to the pigment, or Melanin, found in the hair follicle and destroys the follicle to prevent further hair growth. As a result, laser hair removal is most effective for patients with dark, coarse hair. Laser hair removal treatments target hair follicles in the active growth phase, so multiple treatment sessions are required in order to fully reduce hair growth in a targeted area.
Unlike our competitors, at The Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center, we use a variety of lasers able to work on various skin types and complexions for our laser hair removal treatments. Contact our office in Cincinnati laser hair removal today to find out if you are a candidate for our laser hair removal treatments.
Benefits of laser hair removal
Speed. The laser’s pulse takes less than a second and can remove multiple hairs at a time. Small areas such as that on the upper lip can take less than a minute and large areas such as the leg or back can go up to an hour.
Precision. Lasers can exclusively target dark, coarse hairs and leave the other skin regions undamaged.
Predictability. After an average of three to seven hair removal sessions, most patients often experience permanent hair loss.
What to expect during treatment
Before the laser treatment, we may have to trim the hair in the targeted area to the correct length. We will also provide you with protective eyewear to protect your eyes from the laser beam. We may also apply a cool gel to your skin to further protect your skin.
Once the doctor activates the laser, the beam will penetrate into your hair follicles and damage them, so that hair growth is inhibited. After a laser hair removal treatment, it is advisable to avoid sun exposure and use additional sun protection when in the sun after the skin has healed. Your next treatment may be four to six weeks after the initial treatment.
Patients who are looking to reduce unwanted body hair in various areas of the body and have dark, coarse body hair, are ideal candidates for body laser hair removal. Patients with blonde, white, grey and other light hair colors are not candidates for laser hair removal treatment due to the lack of pigment in the hair follicles.
Results to expect
Results vary from person to person and can also depend on the region being treated. Best results can be observed after four to six treatments spaced around six weeks apart. Periodic maintenance may be needed as well.
Dr. Shalini Gupta and the rest of the staff at The Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center located in Cincinnati are here to help you achieve your aesthetic goals! Contact us today and schedule your consultation.