Laser hair removal involves a series
of in-office treatments that can help you rid yourself
of unwanted hair. It's easy and requires no effort from
you. All you have to do is get yourself to the office
for treatment, and just like that you can forget about
shaving, waxing, or tweezing. Laser hair removal is also
superior to electrolysis, as it can treat a larger area
at a time, saving patients time, money, and pain.
Common areas of treatment, for both men and women, include
face, legs, arms, bikini area, back, shoulders, neck,
chest, abdomen, and buttocks. In the area of treatment,
a laser is directed to a large surface and penetrates
the skin, being absorbed by the underlying hair follicles.
The heat produced by this destroys the hair and subsequently
the hair follicle's ability to grow any new hair.
Many patients compare the sensation
felt during laser hair removal treatments to that of
a rubberband softly hitting the skin. Some patients benefit
from the application of a numbing cream before treatment.
Mild redness and swelling are generally experienced after
treatment, but in most cases will subside within several
hours. The longest redness will remain is a day or two.
It is necessary that patients avoid
sun exposure for usually several weeks before and after
laser hair removal treatments, though this varies between
skin tones, hair color, treatment areas, and laser used.
