What Are the Benefits of Laser Hair Removal?
Whether you are seeking to eliminate unwanted hair on the face or body, there are options ranging from waxing to shaving to more permanent solutions such as laser hair removal. This popular procedure involves removing hair by beaming highly concentrated light at the skin, where it is absorbed by the melanin in the hair follicles. Once destroyed by heat, the follicles are unable to grow hair. Multiple treatments are required due to the hair growth cycle, but the results are permanent, which can save time and money and prevent frustration with unwanted hair.
Long-Lasting Results
In comparison to other forms of hair removal, which may last for a few days to months, laser hair removal is a long-lasting solution. The key to ensuring permanency is to receive a series of consecutive treatments, generally every 4 to 6 weeks, for a period of time specified by your physician. As the sessions progress, it will be evident that significantly less body hair is growing back, and the hair that you do see will be lighter and finer.
Painless and Fast Procedure
Waxing, shaving, and plucking hair can be painful and time-consuming. For patients seeking a solution that does not interfere with their schedule, laser hair removal is ideal. Lasers act quickly, treating several hairs at once, which makes it relatively fast to treat even larger body areas. Smaller areas can take a few minutes, with longer sessions of 15 to 30 minutes sometimes being required for long areas. While everyone has a different tolerance to pain, in general laser hair removal is considered painless, particularly in comparison to the other options available. Certain areas may be more sensitive, but a cooling device can reduce discomfort and protect the top layer of skin.
Ingrown Hair Reduction
Often resulting from waxing, plucking, and shaving, ingrown hairs curl or grow back into the skin, often resulting in tiny red spots commonly called razor bumps. When these bumps are inflamed or infected, the condition is known as folliculitis. While they are not dangerous conditions and often resolve on their own, folliculitis and razor bumps can be uncomfortable and irritating. Laser hair removal is a method for reducing ingrown hairs. Unlike shaving and waxing, this solution for unwanted body and facial hair does not cause individual hairs to be broken off unevenly, thus reducing the chance that they will curl under or grow back into the skin. Since the hairs that do return in between treatments are fewer and finer, this texture change also reduces the likelihood of a problem.
Effective and Safe
As with most procedures, laser hair removal is safe when performed properly. There can be temporary discomfort, redness, and swelling after a treatment, but if these do occur, they generally are not present after several hours. A temporary pigment change such as the lightening or darkening of skin also is possible.
If you are looking for a permanent solution to unwanted hair on the face or body, consult with your physician to discuss the options. Laser hair removal may be the best choice to ensure long-term results.
