SKN BAR Rx

Everything You Wanted to Know About Laser Hair Removal

Whether you’re a busy parent or 20-something working hard to achieve your goals, shaving or going to a salon to get waxed is often the last thing on your to-do list.

More and more women and men are turning to laser hair removal as a solution to getting rid of pesky, unwanted hair for good. In this blog post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about this life-changing treatment and why it might be perfect for you!

Laser hair removal is a non-surgical treatment that uses high-heat lasers to prevent the growth of unwanted hair. During the treatment, these lasers emit beams of light, which convert to heat, damaging the hair follicle and hair bulb (or the root) and ultimately preventing the hair from growing back.

A laser’s ability to detect these tiny follicles stems from its ability to detect the pigment cells (or melanin) that resides in the hair. Once the hair melanin is detected and targeted, the laser is able to travel down the follicle and work its magic.

WHY SHOULD SOMEONE GET LASER HAIR REMOVAL?

One of the most obvious reasons for wanting laser hair removal treatments would be to rid yourself from the bothersome task of shaving multiple times per week, if not daily. However, this procedure also can help those suffering from the following:

Razor Burn

Shaving in a specific area too often, or too quickly can result in inflammation and bumps called razor burn. Some, unfortunately, are more prone to developing this kind of rash than others. If this is the case for you, laser hair removal may help by eliminating your need to shave. Plain and simple.

Folliculitis

If you’ve ever noticed small whiteheads that appear around your hair follicles, you may suffer from folliculitis. This common issue can be caused by various factors such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or simply inflammation from ingrown hairs. Laser hair removal “shuts down” hair follicles which in turn helps eliminate the possibility of folliculitis occurring.

Acne

Hair that grows back after shaving sometimes fails to grow properly through the hair follicle — causing ingrown hairs and clogged pores which can turn into acne. If this is your experience, laser hair removal may be your answer.

Whether it’s getting rid of unwanted hair or not having to deal with the many complications our hair follicles can experience, laser hair removal will allow you to leave your house with the confidence of smooth, healthy skin with little effort.

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR LASER HAIR REMOVAL?

As we stated before, the lasers used for this treatment are designed to detect the pigment in the hair follicle. For this reason, laser hair removal works best on those with darker hair colors and lighter skin tones. The high-contrasting pigments make it easier for the laser to target the hair, travel into the follicle, and shut down the follicle.

Luckily, with state-of-the-art technology, we can treat patients with darker skin or lighter hair. However, these individuals may need more treatments.

If you are unsure where you fit into this equation, we highly recommend you schedule a FREE laser hair removal consultation. One of our aesthetic laser experts will help determine your laser hair removal needs.

WHAT IS LASER HAIR REMOVAL LIKE?

You may have heard horror stories about what laser hair removal treatments are like. However, with today’s advanced technology, it isn’t nearly as bad as you may think. Sessions are relatively quick, lasting anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes depending on the area being treated.

As for the sensation, at worst you will feel a quick, rubberband-like snap which usually occurs around thinner skin. At best, you will feel nothing!

HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR LASER HAIR REMOVAL TREATMENT

1 Month Prior

Discontinue waxing, threading, tweezing, and use of depilatory creams at least 4 weeks prior to and throughout the entire course of your treatments. The longer you can discontinue these services, the better, since the hair follicle needs to be in an active growth phase to effectively treat.

2 Weeks Prior

Laser hair removal cannot be done on tanned skin. For this reason, patients should avoid the sun and tanning bed for at least 2 weeks before their treatments — this includes fake tans as well. If you have plans to receive Botox injections, dermal filler injections, chemical peels or microdermabrasion in the treatment area, be sure to schedule these services AFTER your laser hair removal appointment as you should avoid these the two weeks leading up to your treatment.

3 Days Prior

Stop the use of any products that can create photosensitivity. This includes; essential oils, retinol, AHAs/BHAs, Hydroquinone, etc.

THe Night Before

For laser hair removal to work effectively, you’ll need to be freshly shaven. We recommend shaving the night before your appointment. In addition, it’s important to follow any additional pre-treatment instructions provided to you during your consultation.

POST LASER HAIR REMOVAL CARE

The week after your treatment, you will want to avoid the sun as much as possible. When you are exposed to UV-rays, you should always wear a broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 50 or higher. In addition, we recommend avoiding other laser treatments or chemical procedures on the treated areas for at least two weeks after your appointment.

Again, it’s important to follow any additional post-treatment instructions provided to you during your laser hair removal consultation or treatment appointment.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?

People typically need around six appointments for optimal results. Treatments one through three will be spaced out every four to six weeks while treatments four through six will be spaced out every six to eight weeks.

However, everyone is different, and some people may need additional treatments. One of our aestheticians at SKN BAR Rx can help guide you to your specific needs during a laser hair removal consultation.

LASER HAIR REMOVAL TREATMENT AREA OPTIONS

Various areas of the body can grow unwanted hair. Click here to see a layout of the different areas we can treat with laser hair removal.

taylor

Licensed Aesthetician, SKN BAR Rx