Permanent Laser Hair Reduction
Permanent Laser Hair Reduction refers to the removal of body hair using lasers a concentrated beam of light. During Laser Hair Removal, light is used to target the melanin pigment that is present in the hair. Individual hairs are targeted during Laser Hair Removal. The light travels down the shaft of the hair and into the hair follicle. The heat from the laser light destroys the hair follicle, and a hair can no longer grow from it.
Hair follows a unique growth cycle that involves resting, shedding, and growing periods. Recently removed hair that is in a resting phase will not be visible to the technician or laser, so a person may need to wait until it regrows before removing it. For most people, laser hair removal requires several treatments over a few months with the difference between sessions increasing as the regrowth of hair slows down. This reduced ability of hair to grow is the reason that it is called Laser Hair Reduction. With time, the hair stops growing or may grow very slowly with almost a 90% reduction being possible and needing only a yearly maintenance session being required in future. It is for this reason that it is called Laser Hair Reduction or Permanent Laser Hair Reduction.
How laser hair removal works
Laser therapy uses high-heat laser beams as a mild form of radiation. During the process, these laser beams heat up and damage your hair follicles. Your hair follicles are located just below the skin. They’re responsible for producing new strands of hair. If the follicles are destroyed, then hair production is temporarily disabled.
By contrast, tweezing, shaving, and waxing all remove hair above the surface. These methods don’t target hair-producing follicles.
The AAD deems the following areas as appropriate for laser hair removal:
1.) Chest
2.) Back
3.) Shoulders
4.) Neck
5.) Bikini line
6.) Face (except for the eye area)
This form of hair removal works best with darker hair colors on light skin tones. This is because the lasers target hair melanin (color). Even if some hairs aren’t removed, the lightening of their color can reduce the appearance of hair on the skin. Some of your hairs may also shed within a few days of your first treatment session. Overall, laser hair removal is a relatively quick process. Smaller areas, such as the upper lip, can take just minutes. Larger areas of hair removal, like the back or chest, may take an hour or longer. If your dermatologist applies a topical pain-relieving gel (anesthetic) first, you may expect to be at the office up to another full hour. Despite the high success rate of laser hair removal, hair follicles eventually heal. This results in new hair production. To ensure the best results possible, you will need to undergo multiple treatment sessions.
Why follow-up sessions are needed
Follow-up treatments are necessary to get the most out of laser hair removal. The exact number of maintenance laser treatments varies by individual. According to the Mayo Clinic, most people need between four and six laser therapy sessions.
You also need to space these out by six weeks each — this means that the full treatment cycle can take up to nine months.
After each session, you’ll likely notice fewer hairs. Any hair that remains or regenerates will also be lighter in both texture and color. The AAD estimates that the number of hairs will reduce by 10 to 25 percent after your initial session. The rate of reduction thereafter will improve, but will also vary.
Additionally, for the best results, you’ll likely need occasional maintenance sessions. These help ensure that the hair follicles don’t regenerate. Depending on your individual needs, you may need a maintenance session once or twice a year after your full initial round of laser treatment.
The timeline for each session is the same as your initial laser hair removal treatment. Overall, the timing depends on the area of treatment. If you’re touching up just a few small areas during your maintenance sessions, then your appointment may be shorter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hair removal from the hair follicle which is damaged or destroyed is permanent. However, some hair from the targeted area might grow back. Whether or not hair grows back depends on the number of factors such as the type of hair that regrows, how well the treatment is performed. One can be assured of 90% reduction of hair and one might need one maintenance session yearly.
During treatment, some people might experience burning, stinging, or discomfort. Experts apply a numbing cream to the area they are treating. However, some clients might have an allergic reaction or skin irritation in response to the numbing cream.
No, Laser Hair Reduction does not hurt at all. The pain and discomfort that one experiences during laser hair reduction is less than what one undergoes during waxing. Laser treatment is surprisingly quick, depending on the expert style and how many breaks client need.
It is false information that laser hair removal can cause cancer. There is no scientific data or medical prevalence behind this. In fact, according to the Skin Care Foundation, the procedure is sometimes used to treat certain forms of precancerous scratches. The lasers used in hair removal or other skin procedures have such a minimal amount of radiation. Plus, the minimal amount is only being exacted on the surface of the skin. So, they don’t pose a risk of cancer.