Do you wish you could enjoy smooth, hair-free skin without the regular headache of plucking, waxing, or shaving? If so, you’re in the right place. Laser hair removal is a great way to get the long-term results you desire. Today, our aesthetic experts at New England Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Weymouth, MA share everything you need to know about this treatment, including what results you can realistically expect.
What Are the Long-Term Results of Laser Hair Removal?
After your course of laser therapy sessions, you will be able to enjoy permanent hair reduction. Laser therapy usually results in permanent hair removal, but many factors affect unwanted hair growth. It is possible that you may regrow hair in your treated areas due to such factors as hormonal imbalance or taking certain pharmaceuticals.
Other long-term results of treating unwanted hair with laser therapy include saving time and money. Even if you grow unwanted hair after your treatment sessions, you can enjoy having countless hours of your life back because you won’t have to wax, shave, or pluck your unwanted hair away.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
Laser therapy is safe for almost every adult. You will probably qualify for laser therapy regardless of your skin tone or hair color. However, we must evaluate your problem areas and review your medical history to confirm that laser therapy will be safe. We can’t treat you if you have an active skin infection, open wound, or history of certain skin conditions.
You also won’t be a good candidate for treatment if you take a medication that causes photosensitivity. During your initial consultation, we’ll advise you on all the contraindications for treatment and everything you need to do to prepare. We’ll also explain all the aftercare guidelines you must follow after treatment.
What Preparation Steps Are Required Before Treatment?
Certain steps are involved in preparing for laser therapy. One of the most vital steps is protecting your skin from sun damage for at least two weeks before treatment. When sun exposure is unavoidable, apply sunscreen with a high SPF. You also need to avoid self-tanning cosmetics and light-based indoor tanning for at least two weeks before your laser therapy session.
You also must avoid using irritating cosmetics on your skin. For example, you should not use any creams or serums containing retinol, vitamin C, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid. If your skin is irritated when you come for treatment we may have to put off your treatment until it is healthier.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Individual treatment needs vary, but clients generally need between six and 10 sessions to achieve your desired results. Many factors affect the number of sessions required, including your hair color and skin tone. Due to the nature of this treatment, the greater the difference there is between your hair color and skin color, the fewer sessions you should need. The area of your face or body also affects how many sessions you’ll need.
How Soon Can I Enjoy the Results of My Treatment?
You should expect to see some results as soon as your first session is complete. However, laser treatment is most effective during the time that your hair follicles are in active growth. The hairs that were not in this phase during your first session will begin to grow again after treatment, as their follicles were not destroyed. By spacing treatments several weeks apart and treating your unwanted hairs when they enter their active growth phase, all the follicles will eventually be eliminated and you will be left with silky smooth skin.
What Aftercare Guidelines Are There?
After your laser hair removal session, your skin will be sensitive and you will need to take steps to protect it from direct sunlight. Additionally, you need to protect your skin from other sources of UV radiation, like tanning beds. While it may be tempting to use tanning lotion to darken your skin after your laser hair removal session, this should be avoided, too. You also must avoid applying scented cosmetics, like perfume or fragrant lotion to the treated area, as this can cause irritation.
Note that you’ll need to do more than avoid anything that may irritate your skin after treatment. You must also take steps to soothe and heal your skin. It can be a great help to your recovery, as well as soothing to the skin, if you apply cool compresses to the areas that have been treated for several minutes every so often. If you don’t have an ice pack to wrap in a paper towel, you can dampen a soft washcloth with cool water.
Discover the Lasting Results of Laser Therapy for Hair Removal for Yourself Today
The long-term results of laser hair removal vary based on hormonal imbalances, drug use, and other factors. Nonetheless, most people can enjoy permanent hair removal, and you can confidently expect to enjoy your optimal results for several years. To confirm you’re a good fit for this treatment, schedule an initial evaluation with us today at New England Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Weymouth, MA.
