If you are one of the many patients who are sick and tired of hair removal techniques like shaving, waxing, and tweezing, laser hair removal may be a great option for you!
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal uses highly concentrated beams of light to eliminate dark, coarse hairs. The light is absorbed by the pigment in hair follicles, which destroys the unwanted hair, leaving surrounding skin unharmed.
Each laser pulse takes a fraction of a second, and every second it can treat an area about the size of a quarter. Smaller areas can be treated quickly, commonly in less than a minute, while larger areas can take up to an hour.
Three to five sessions result in permanent hair loss for 90 percent of patients.
Am I a good candidate for Laser Hair Removal?
Those with very light skin and darker hair are ideal candidates for laser hair removal. Patients who have pigmented hair are better candidates than those who have very light or blonde hair. It is important to understand that lasers cannot be used around the eyes for unwanted eyebrow hair.
What can I expect from Laser Hair Removal?
Patients should halt any plucking or waxing for at least six weeks before laser hair removal, so that the laser can successfully target the roots of the hair. You can shave up to a couple days before treatment.
Sun exposure should be avoided for six weeks both before and after laser hair removal. Excessive sun exposure can hinder the effects the treatment and raise the risk for complications.
How long is recovery from Laser Hair Removal?
In order to ease any discomfort, ice packs, soothing creams or lotions, or cold water can be used. For a couple days after, areas treated may be sensitive and red, which is normal and should resolve on its own. Makeup can be applied directly after treatment on the face.
Patients with darker complexions may experience blisters, though it is rare. Other potential side effects include redness, swelling, and scarring. Any permanent scarring or changes in skin color are rare.
Treated hairs will fall out over the next month, and sunscreen should be worn to prevent any changes in skin color on the treated area(s). Your next treatment should be four to six weeks later, and sessions should be resumed until hair stops growing in the treatment area.
For more information about laser hair removal, please contact Beauty by Brueck at 239-939-5233 today. We proudly serve patients throughout Southwest Florida at our offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Punta Gorda.
