Although shaving is the most common way to remove unwanted body hair, shaving can also present issues such as itching, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. Additionally, many people will need to shave several times a week to keep up with body hair growth. However, if you want to enjoy a more simplified routine to manage your body hair, you may want to consider Laser Hair Removal Sessions at The Mack Cosmetic Center in Tampa, FL.
How Many Laser Hair Removal Sessions Do You Need?
Most people will need between two and 12 laser hair removal sessions to achieve optimal results. The range for the number of treatments you will need is so vast because your treatment appointments will depend on how many areas are being treated, your hair type, your skin tone, and how effective the laser treatment is for you.
What Factors Influence Treatment Sessions?
In general, each laser treatment to remove unwanted body hair can address about 10% of hair follicles in each region. If you want to treat more areas, you will need to have more treatment appointments.
Factors that may also impact the number of treatments you need can include the color of your hair and the density of your hair growth. People who have light-colored hair such as blonde hair, gray hair, and red hair may require additional treatments. If your hair grows very densely, this usually also means that you will need additional treatments simply because there are more hair follicles to treat.
How Often Are Your Treatments?
During your initial treatment phase, your appointments are usually scheduled about four to eight weeks apart. The frequency of your initial treatments will be determined by the sensitivity of your skin and how responsive you are to the laser system. For example, people who have sensitive skin may need to schedule appointments every six to eight weeks to allow enough time for skin to heal between appointments.
How Quickly Will You See Results?
Most people will start to see results about two to four weeks after their first treatment. Laser hair removal systems work gradually to stunt hair growth at the follicle. Most people will be able to achieve final results at least three to six months after their first treatment appointment.
Your early results will likely include hair that grows back much slower than before, or a decrease in the density of hair growth. Hair that grows more sparsely may feel softer or be less noticeable, which are also significant benefits of laser treatments for hair removal.
How Does This Treatment Work?
This treatment works by using a specialized laser system to target hair shafts that grow out of the skin. When a laser system detects visible hair shafts by the contrast between hair color and skin color, it will emit a flash of light energy that is converted to thermal energy as it travels down the hair shaft. When the thermal energy reaches the root of the hair, it will stun the hair follicle and create a small amount of damage that will eventually stunt hair growth.
What Can You Expect From Treatment?
Laser treatments for hair removal are considered very safe and effective. Your treatment will be comfortable because laser systems have built-in cooling technology that keep the surface of the skin comfortable. A cooling or numbing gel may also be applied to your skin prior to your treatment to keep you comfortable. Some patients like to take over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol about an hour before their treatment to optimize comfort.
What Is the Best Way To Prepare for This Treatment?
To prepare for this treatment, it’s important to avoid any activity that can trigger melanin production when your skin is exposed to high levels of light. This means that you should avoid sunbathing, direct sun exposure, and tanning beds. Sometimes, it’s also advised to avoid any self-tanning products on the face or body, as lotions and oils can potentially create hyperpigmentation.
Can You Shave Before Your Appointment?
Before your appointment, you can shave any area of the body that will be treated by the hair removal system. However, if you plan to shave before your appointment, please shave at least 48 hours before your treatment to ensure there is some hair growth on the areas you want to treat. You will not be able to use any treatments that remove hair from the root, including tweezing, waxing, and some depilatory creams.
Additionally, you can shave between your treatment sessions as well. Because you will require several treatments to achieve optimal results, shaving between your appointments will allow you to maintain your body hair until you can achieve final results. Please continue to avoid any other hair removal method that will pull hair from the root.
What Should You Do After Your Treatment?
After your treatment, it’s imperative to protect your skin from all potential sun exposure by wearing SPF when you plan to be outside. During the summer months, it’s a good idea to combine sunscreen with wearing light layers to provide additional sun protection. While you are having laser treatments for hair removal, you must continue to avoid tanning beds and self-tanning products as well. Other rules to follow after your appointment will include:
Skin Care
Taking care of your skin will ensure that your results develop quickly and optimally. For example, it’s best to avoid exposing your skin to any hot or steamy conditions, which means you should avoid hot showers, saunas, and hot tubs. We also recommend avoiding swimming pools or other activities where the skin may be exposed to chlorine, as chlorine will dry out the skin.
Keeping your skin moisturized will soothe the moisture barrier after exposure to a laser system. Ideally, you should use simple lotions and moisturizers on treatment areas at least one to two times a day, along with gentle soaps that will not strip your skin of moisture. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, shea butter, aloe vera, and ceramides are all good ingredients to include in your skincare products after a laser treatment.
Exfoliation
About five to seven days after your Laser Hair Removal Sessions, you may want to consider exfoliating any treated area. Exfoliating your skin after your laser appointment will slough off dead skin cells, turn over new skin cells, and remove any hair that is ready to fall out of the hair follicle. Exfoliation techniques can include using a washcloth in the shower, an exfoliating loofah, or a salt or sugar scrub. Chemical exfoliants should be avoided as they may cause skin irritation and dryness.
Are Results Permanent?
The results of Laser Hair Removal Sessions can be permanent if you can follow your maintenance schedule. After several years of using a laser system for hair removal, you may notice a long-term cessation of hair growth, which can last for several years until the hair follicle has repaired itself.
The best way to ensure permanent or long-lasting results is to keep up with all of your maintenance appointments, which are usually scheduled at least once or twice a year after you have achieved optimal results.
What Are the Benefits of This Treatment?
One of the main benefits of using a laser system to remove unwanted hair is the reduction of skin irritation and ingrown hairs. In fact, people who have a history of painful ingrown hairs will be able to correct ingrown hairs after using a laser system because the treatment will fix the direction of hair growth.
Another benefit of this treatment is the ability to save time once you have achieved optimal results. Instead of spending time waxing, tweezing, and shaving, you can speed up your daily hygiene and spend less money replacing short-term use hair removal supplies.
Are You an Ideal Candidate?
Candidates who are ideal for this treatment include those who have healthy skin, dark body hair, and no history of hyperpigmentation. If you use tanning beds regularly, you may need to wait and tell your artificial tan fades before you can use a laser system to remove unwanted hair. Additionally, people who have certain health conditions, such as pregnancy, cannot use the treatment.
Use Laser Hair Removal To Simplify Your Life
You can optimize your body hair maintenance by using a laser system to remove unwanted hair from the face, chest, back, arms, underarms, stomach, legs, and even bikini area. If you think this treatment is right for you, contact The Mack Cosmetic Center in Tampa, FL today.