Is Laser Hair Removal Worth It? What You Need to Know

April 12, 2017

Dark, thick hair can be challenging to continuously maintain, and shaving or waxing can bring forth unwanted ingrown hairs, or worse, infection. That’s why more and more patients are opting out of shaving and choosing to undergo laser hair removal treatments instead. They are doing so not only for the permanent removal of unwanted hair, but as a gateway to soft, silky smooth skin.

How Does it Work?

Laser hair removal is a relatively fast and effective treatment for getting rid of unwanted hair on any part of the body. It requires an initial series of sessions followed by periodic maintenance treatments. During the treatment, a laser is gently applied to the skin for milliseconds at a time, emitting a beam of light that converts heat as it lightly passes through the skin. The heat is then absorbed by melanin in the hair follicle, resulting in a permanent reduction in the number of hairs that reside in each follicle.

When applied to the skin, a laser will feel like a warm, coarse brush that gently brushes up against your skin. This may cause some sensitivity, but will quickly subside within 45 minutes post treatment. At The Plastic Surgery Clinic, we use a cooling device during treatment so that this treated area remains cool, therefore counteracting any discomfort from the heat. We also provide numbing cream for the more sensitive areas like the underarms, upper lip, and bikini line.

Additionally,  it’s important to follow your provider’s direction for post-laser care, and because the skin is ultra-sensitive, it should be carefully protected daily with a broad spectrum sunscreen. Above all, as the treatment sessions progress, you will get more used to the sensations brought upon by the laser.

Who are The Best Candidates?

The best candidates for laser hair removal are those who have dark, coarse hair and light skin. People with white, grey or light blonde hair may have a more difficult time with results as these lighter pigments may not respond to treatment as well as darker pigments. Moreover, patients with lighter hair than their skin pigment – for example, patients who are tanned with blond or grey hair – may have to undergo more treatments than someone with dark hair and a lighter skin pigment.

Is it Worthwhile?

Laser hair removal is a very effective method of permanently reducing coarse, stubborn unwanted hair. Typically, the upper lip, chin, face, neck, underarms, bikini area, armpit and legs are the most common areas patients choose to treat. And, as laser technology continues to evolve, more and more skin shades are becoming more easily treatable. This alone makes laser hair removal an extremely worthwhile option compared to shaving.

Laser Hair Removal at The Plastic Surgery Clinic

If you are considering laser hair removal, please contact us at [email protected] to set up a complimentary consultation with one of our qualified medical aestheticians. We pride ourselves on the  standard of excellence in personalized care we provide each and every one of our patients.  This also enables us to provide quality cosmetic enhancement services that our patients deserve.

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• posted by The Plastic Surgery Clinic Staff