How Laser Hair Removal Works
Laser hair removal works on the principle of selective photothermolysis - the laser precisely targets the pigment in the hair follicle and delivers just the right amount of energy to disable the follicle without harming surrounding tissue.
Pure grey, blonde and some types of red hair do not contain enough pigment to provide the laser a sufficient “target”. Because there’s more pigment in coarser, darker hair, it typically responds the best to laser hair removal.
The growth cycle of a hair consists of three phases, and the laser is most effective during only one of those phases - this is the reason several treatments are required, scheduled 4-8 weeks apart. Everyone responds differently, but generally people feel satisfied with the amount of hair reduction after six treatments. The underarms typically respond quickly, while facial and bikini hair is more hormonally driven and so can require touch ups. On average, people experience about an 80% reduction in hair, with the remaining hair being finer. New hair growth or hair regrowth is dependent upon many variables including hormonal fluctuations, which occur throughout life.
Prior to treatment, the area must be shaved and thoroughly cleansed. It is recommended to shave the area to be treated 12-24 hours before laser hair removal. It is okay to shave immediately prior to treatment, though it may make skin more sensitive.
During the treatment, the nurse will apply ultrasound gel to the area to be treated and then place the laser hand piece directly on top of the gel and glide the laser along the treatment area. The tip of the hand piece is chilled both to protect the epidermis and increase client comfort. Generally the treatments feel warm and tingle like a rubber band snapped against your skin. Not the most pleasant feeling; however it's much less painful than plucking or waxing.
During the treatment, the nurse will be constantly evaluating your skin response. Possible reactions include mild to moderate redness and small red bumps, which are the result of individual hair follicles swelling slightly because they were effectively targeted by the laser. Typically the redness and/or bumps resolve within an hour or so. Occasionally the bumps can persist for 1-2 days. Not everyone develops redness or bumps.
One of the keys to successful long-term laser hair removal is communication between the nurse and client. Even though discomfort tolerance varies from person to person, it is still a helpful indicator of effective treatment. By monitoring tissue reaction and client report of comfort/discomfort, the nurse is able to expertly customize the laser treatments to each individual client.
The first session is usually the most uncomfortable because there is the greatest amount of hair. As the treatments progress, the total amount of hair will decrease, as will the diameter of remaining follicles, and this reduction in pigmentary target decreases discomfort.
After each treatment, we’ll provide you with an aftercare instruction sheet, reminding you to protect the treated area from sun exposure as much as possible, treat the area gently for the next few days and not pluck, tweeze, epilate or wax between laser treatments. This removes the laser’s pigment target. Shaving is fine.
LASER AFTER CARE
Avoid saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga, hot showers and intensive exercise for 24 hours following treatment. These activities can cause irritation to skin made more sensitive by laser, photodynamic light or microneedle treatments. If you had a stem cell application done, keep skin hydrated with mineral spray or DNA collagen moisturizer for at least 24 hours.
Avoid sun exposure for two weeks after laser treatment and at least one week after any facial treatment. Immediately after either treatment, the skin is more vulnerable to damage from UV rays, making sunburn and hyperpigmentation (dark spots) or hypopigmentation (white spots) more likely. After that, avoid unprotected sun exposure - use SPF 35 or higher at all times when outdoors.
Wash the treated area gently with warm (not hot) water and mild skin safe cleanser. Don’t exfoliate for two days after any treatment.
Moisturize! Skin stays healthier when properly hydrated and moisturized.
If your skin feels or looks irritated, use a cold compress to relieve it. Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream may also soothe the skin. Red bumps that appear immediately after treatment are actually a good sign - it means the laser effectively disrupted the hair follicle. The bumps typically disappear within 24-48 hours. Any irritation after any facial treatment should be at least talked about, so give us a call.
Do not wax, tweeze or epilate between laser treatments - this will disturb the follicle and make laser hair removal less effective. It is perfectly fine to shave.
Do not tan, get a spray tan or use self tanning lotion for two weeks prior to laser and light treatments. The hair removal laser setting targets pigmentation, so we want it to see only the pigment in the hair, not in the skin. If the skin is too dark, it will absorb too much energy from the laser and be more likely to burn and/or develop spots on the skin that are darker or lighter than the surrounding skin.
And of course, if you have any questions or concerns, or if you just miss us, don’t hesitate to call!
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