What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Unwanted hair is a common problem, for both men and women. Frequent hair removal tasks including shaving, depilatories, plucking, and waxing can be time-consuming, inconvenient, and often painful. At best, these methods offer only temporary results – for some only a few hours.
Free yourself from the constant need to shave and wax unwanted facial and body hair and feel your best. [Laser/Light-Based] technology has brought us a permanent solution to remove unwanted hair, leaving skin feeling smooth and healthy.
Laser hair removal gives you effective, permanent hair reduction anywhere on your body, including the face, legs, back, underarms, or bikini line. Treatments are quick and easy, allowing you to return to your everyday activities.
Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
To understand how laser hair removal works, it’s helpful to understand how your hair grows. Below is an overview of how this technology can uniquely reduce unwanted hair permanently.
Hair grows from deep within hair follicles, which are embedded in the skin. Hair does not grow continuously but in a three-phase cycle.
- Anagen Phase: This phase is where the hair actively grows which typically lasts for several months and is the best phase for hair removal.
- Catagen Phase: During this brief phase, the hair bulb regresses and begins to shrink.
- Telogen Phase: The final phase is a resting phase that lasts a few months. During this phase, the hair is released from the follicle, and once complete, the hair will restart at the Anagen or growth phase.
While the rate at which hair grows differs by individual, the length of the hair growth cycle generally depends on the type of hair. For example, the active growth phase of the hair on your head may last several years, while the hair on the body has an active growth phase that may last only a few months.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
During laser hair removal, the device emits light energy that travels through the skin and is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and hair shaft. Pigments are the substances that give skin and hair their color. This energy damages the hair follicle, which impairs its ability to grow.
Hair follicles that are in the anagen, or active growth phase, have more pigment and absorb more energy, and typically respond best to treatments. For this reason, it takes multiple treatments to achieve the best results – it’s important to “catch” your hair in this active growth phase when you receive treatments.
The Laser Hair Removal Experience
Preparation:
- Shave before your evaluation.
- Minimize sun exposure if you plan to start treatment on the same day as your evaluation.
Treatment Process:
- Typically, there is little to no downtime after treatments.
- Sessions are quick and easy—patients can even come during their lunch breaks.
- Before using the device:
- A gel is applied to the treatment area.
- Eye shields are provided for protection from the light.
- The treatment begins with the provider guiding the Icon™ handpiece over the area.
- During treatment:
- You will feel cooling as the handpiece glides over the skin.
- A slight rubber band-like snapping may occur when energy is delivered into the skin and hair follicles.
- This sensation disappears almost immediately.
- Treatments take just minutes, depending on the area’s size.
Post-Treatment Care:
Normal day-to-day activities can be resumed immediately.
The gel is removed, and a cooling gel may be applied.
Bandages and ointments are not necessary due to the minimally invasive nature of the treatment.
You may experience a mild sunburn sensation for a few days.
If you are a laser hair removal patient, please be aware of the following:
- Shave the area being treated prior to your appointment.
- 6 weeks before and in between your treatment sessions, discontinue all waxing, plucking, and tweezing on the areas receiving treatment.
- 4 weeks prior to your appointment, discontinue excessive UV exposure, tanning and tanning beds, and tanning creams on the areas receiving treatment.
What to Expect After Laser Hair Removal
A mild sunburn-like sensation is expected. This usually lasts 2-24 hours but can persist up to 72 hours. Mild swelling and redness may accompany this, but it usually resolves in 2-3 days.
Avoid sun exposure on the treated area and use a sunscreen SPF 45 or greater at all times throughout the course of treatment and for 4-6 weeks after your last treatment.
The appearance of hair growth or stubble will continue for 7-30 days post-treatment. This is not new hair growth but treated hairs being expelled from the skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule A Laser Hair Removal Evaluation
At Chicago Surgical Specialists, we have a wealth of experience performing laser hair removal for those looking to achieve hair-free skin in the Park Ridge, IL community. Schedule an evaluation with our team by calling (847) 268-3910.