Let 2016 be the year you say goodbye to stubble for good, with laser hair removal at Aesthetic Arts Institute of Plastic Surgery. Winter is actually the perfect time to begin your hair removal treatments to ensure beautiful, bare skin by summertime. If you have never considered laser hair removal before, our team has plenty of good information about the treatment and its benefits.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a non-surgical procedure that uses laser energy to remove unwanted facial or body hair. The laser light is delivered directly into the hair follicle, damaging the follicle so the hair falls out. In addition, the damage makes it difficult for new hair to grow in the same follicle, offering patients a permanent means of hair reduction.
Laser hair removal is targeted to hair that is currently in the growth or anagen phase. Since only about one-third of your hair is in that stage at one time, more than one treatment session is usually needed to address all the hair follicles in a single area. This is why it is a good idea to get started on your hair reduction as soon as possible, to ensure you are enjoying full results by the time your shorts come out of winter hiding.
How does it Work?
Laser hair removal is performed on an outpatient basis, usually with topical anesthetic to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. A handheld applicator is passed over the skin, which emits laser pulses into the hair follicles. The total time for a single procedure can vary greatly, depending on the size of the treatment area. Most patients can complete a laser treatment on even larger areas like the back in an hour or less.
Who is a Good Candidate?
Laser hair removal tends to work best on patients with fairer skin tones and darker hair colors. Since the laser targets the melanin in the hair follicle, the greater the contrast between the hair and skin, the better the results will be. However, the ability to use different lasers for hair removal has allowed us to address a wider range of skin tones and hair colors. Laser hair removal is not effective on grey or white hair as a general rule.
Laser hair removal is wonderfully versatile in its ability to remove unwanted hair from nearly any area of the face or body. Common treatment areas include:
- Face, including the chin and upper lip
- Underarms
- Back and chest
- Neck and shoulder
- Legs
- Bikini line
Are Results Permanent?
Most patients will need a minimum of three treatment sessions, spaced around six weeks apart, in order to address all hair during the growth phase. Once those treatment sessions are completed, patients typically enjoy permanent hair reduction. Some may require the occasional touch-up treatment to maintain full hair removal.
Laser hair removal is an effective way to remove unwanted facial and body hair and achieve a smoother, silkier look for summer.
If you would like to learn more about this minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure, contact Aesthetic Arts Institute of Plastic Surgery at 855-337-6988.
