Laser hair removal can be a good way to get rid of hair from many different areas, including the legs, the armpits, the face, and the bikini line. With state-of-the-art lasers such as the Cutera® Nd: Yag and the Vectus® laser system, we are now able to treat a wider variety of patients who have unwanted hair on their bodies.
If you want to get the best results from your laser hair removal treatment, one of the best things you can do is to prepare properly for your treatment. This is something that we will help you to do at our practice. Whether you are a first-time laser hair removal patient or a returning client, we can help you get the most out of your treatment.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal may be one of many removal methods for unwanted hair, but it is unique in the sense that it provides permanent hair reduction without downtime or lots of unpleasant effects such as razor burn or ingrown hairs. Professional laser hair removal works by targeting the hair follicles directly using a certain wavelength of laser light. This wavelength is changed based on the skin color and hair color of the patient.
Laser hair removal can be performed virtually anywhere on the body. Common areas include the underarms, bikini area, chest, back, face, legs, and arms. This treatment should always be performed by a licensed technician in a reputable office.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
With laser hair removal treatments, you want your hair follicles to be targeted and damaged without the surrounding skin being damaged, too. To achieve this, we choose a specific device that can penetrate deeply into the skin and target the melanin that is in the hair follicle rather than on the surface of the skin.
During treatments, a hand-held device delivers laser energy to the targeted area of the skin. The laser is adjusted to the appropriate wavelength based on your skin and hair color. The laser light is absorbed by the melanin, or dark pigment, present in hairs that are in the growth phase. This causes damage to the hair follicle that prevents future growth.
Because not all hairs are in this growth phase at the same time, multiple sessions are required over a period of several months to target the most hairs.
Laser Hair Removal Preparation
Consultation With Your Doctor
Because professional laser hair removal may not be right for all individuals or may not be effective in certain situations, it is important to schedule a consultation to talk to us about things such as your medical history, the area you want to be treated, and what your goals are for treatment. Once we have met with you, we can recommend a treatment that is suitable for your situation.
Pre-Treatment Instructions
It is important to take care of your skin before your laser hair removal treatment. Make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen any time you are in the sun as we cannot treat sunburned skin. You should also avoid any products that may irritate your skin such as salicylic acid, retinol, vitamin C, and more. You can contact us for a full list of items to avoid.
You should also avoid plucking or waxing your treatment area for at least one month before your laser hair removal treatment. Additionally, you should avoid bleaching or hair removal creams that may affect the growth of your hair as having hair in your follicles is essential for this type of treatment. Usually, we will have you shave the area before you come in.
On the day of your treatment, keep the skin clean and free from any products such as makeup or lotions. You should also keep us up to date on any new medications that you are taking so that we can make sure the treatment is still safe for you.
During Your Laser Hair Removal Treatment
Part of your laser hair removal preparation is knowing what to expect from the actual treatment. The experience that you have may depend on the laser being used. Our Cutera Nd: Yag laser offers technology that makes the treatment as comfortable as possible. Still, you may experience a snapping or tingling sensation on your skin as the light energy turns to heat energy and comes into contact with your skin. The device is placed on the skin and targets each section in turn until the entire area has been treated.
After Your Laser Hair Removal Treatment
Taking care of your skin after your permanent hair removal is just as important as taking care of it beforehand. Make sure to continue wearing sunscreen. Stay away from anything that may overheat your skin such as hot showers, saunas, hot tubs, or strenuous exercise until your skin completely heals. Finally, continue to avoid irritating products and wear loose clothing to avoid rubbing or irritating the skin.
Your Laser Hair Removal Results
In the days or weeks after your treatment, you should start to see your laser hair removal results. The hair from treated areas will begin to fall out, often sloughing off easily when you wash your skin. As you continue to have additional treatments, you can begin to see a gradual improvement in the amount of hair that is present in the area. If hair does grow back, it is often much lighter in color, and areas can always be treated again.
Learn More About Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal can provide many benefits, from minimizing the time you have to spend on hair removal treatments to giving you soft and smooth skin. If you are looking for a clinic that offers hair removal services in Hyannis, MA, contact Laser Aesthetics of Cape Cod today. When you call us at (508) 444-0022 or fill out a contact form online, we can get you on the schedule for a consultation.