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Laser Hair Removal For Those Unwanted Hairs

Published on February 3, 2017

If you are tired of tweezing, shaving, and waxing to get rid of unwanted body hair, then you are an ideal candidate for laser hair removal. It is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures all over the world.

The treatment involves beaming concentrated light into hair follicles in designated areas of the body. The follicular pigments end up absorbing light of a specific frequency. This arrests hair growth at the source.

Benefits

Lasers come in extremely handy from removing undesirable hair from the face, arm, leg, bikini line, underarms, and other areas. The benefits of the procedure include:

Precision – The procedure involves using light of a specific wavelength to target the coarse, dark hairs. The best part about this treatment is that there is no damage to the surrounding skin.

Speed – Each laser pulse just takes less than a second and can treat multiple hairs at the same time. Small areas, like your upper lip can be treated in less than one minute, and the larger areas, like the leg or back, might take up to one hour.

Predictability – Most of the patients who opt for laser hair removal experience permanent hair loss after three to five sessions.

Preparing for the Procedure

Laser hair removal is more complicated than just zapping unwanted hair. It requires considerable skill and precision. Before you undergo a laser hair removal, you should check your surgeon’s credentials to to make sure you’re working with someone who is experienced in performing the procedure. Being board certified and having extensive experience in the field are two key factors you should look for.

If you decide to opt for laser hair removal, then you should limit waxing, plucking, and electrolysis for at least four weeks before the treatment. Laser targets the roots of your hair, and temporarily removes them by plucking or waxing. You should also try to avoid exposing yourself to the sun for long periods of time four weeks before and after the surgery. You should always use sunscreen if you do go out.

What Does the Procedure Entail?

Your surgeon will begin the procedure by trimming the hair on your skin to a few millimeters above its surface. The laser will be adjusted according to the thickness, color, location of your hair and your skin color. Both you and your surgeon will have to wear protective eye-gear to prevent damage from stray laser beams.

The outer layer of your skin will be protected with a cooling device or cold gel. This helps the laser penetrate the surface of the skin. Following this, a pulse of light will be given to the treatment area for several minutes. After the procedure, your surgeon will give you ice packs and anti-inflammatory lotions or creams to help you with the discomfort.

You will be ready for the next session four weeks after the first one. You will continue to receive treatments until there is a permanent cessation of hair growth. The potential side effects include redness, swelling, and minor post-surgical marks, but they will fade over time.

Contact Our Office

If you’re frustrated with your shaving routine and want to save more time, contact us to learn more about laser hair removal. You can schedule a consultation with Dr. Richard Bartlett, a board certified plastic surgeon, to ask about the procedure and the process involved. He will address your concerns and develop a customized plan to satisfy your needs.