What Laser Hair Removal Can Do for You

February 17, 2022 by A Younger You

Body hair is natural for everyone, but it's no secret that for many people, it's unwanted. Although hair removal methods like shaving and waxing are easy to access, they can become more cumbersome with time.

Can you imagine never having to worry about nicking yourself with a dull razor, spending an extra 15 minutes in the shower shaving, or going through painful waxing procedures ever again?

That's what laser hair removal can do for you.

What Is Laser Hair Removal Treatment?

Laser hair removal describes the process of using a beam of light to penetrate the pigment of the hair at the treated site.

When the pigment (melanin) in the hair absorbs light, the light energy is converted into heat. The converted heat then damages the hair follicles within the skin responsible for producing hair.

This damage both inhibits and delays future hair growth at the treatment sites. Laser hair removal is controlled enough to only damage the hair follicle without causing damage to any of the surrounding skin or tissue.

Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

The efficacy of laser hair removal depends in part on the person receiving the treatment. Everyone's body is different and unique, and this treatment is more effective on some bodies than others.

In some cases, after several laser hair removal sessions, patients see permanent hair loss in some areas. In almost all cases, the hair that does grow back is very light and thin.

How Many Laser Hair Removal Sessions Will I Need?

Multiple laser sessions are required over time for laser hair removal to be most effective. This is due to the growth cycle of hair.

Hair Growth Cycle

Your hair has four different phases in its hair growth cycle: anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen.

Anagen Phase

The anagen phase of your hair's growth cycle is the growth phase. This phase is the longest of all, lasting anywhere from three to five years for head hair and around 30 days for body hair.

During the anagen phase, your hair follicles push the hair out through the skin until they reach the end of their lifespan.

The anagen phase is different for patches of hair in the same location, which is why several laser hair removal sessions are required.

Laser hair removal is only effective on hair in its anagen phase. In one session, you may succeed in targeting 30% of hair, while at your next session, another percentage is in its anagen phase.

Catagen, Telogen, and Exogen Phases

These three phases are not as relevant to laser hair treatment. The catagen phase starts at the end of the anagen phase and lasts an average of ten days. During the catagen phase, your hair follicles shrink, and the hair separates from the follicle.

The telogen phase is the resting phase, which lasts around three months. During this phase, the hair isn't growing but isn't falling out, either.

Exogen is the shedding phase, when your hair falls from the skin, making way for new hair growth.

How Does Laser Hair Removal Treatment Work?

During the anagen phase of your hair's growth, the hair follicle bulb is the main component of your hair growth. The hair follicle is the target for heat therapy or thermolysis.

Melanin is produced in the hair follicle bulb in high quantities. By targeting the melanin in the hair follicle, the laser light effectively disables the follicle, which stops hair growth.

What Happens During a Laser Hair Removal Procedure?

Your provider will place the laser device against your skin during a laser hair removal procedure. You will see short bursts of light as the lasers target the melanin in your hair follicles.

Each pulse targets several follicles at once, but remember that only a tiny percentage will be affected each session. This is why you must have multiple sessions to see results.

Who Is a Candidate for Laser Hair Removal Treatment?

In the past, laser hair removal wasn't compatible with every skin type. Some of the first laser devices invented were not advanced enough to distinguish between the hair and the skin if there wasn't sufficient contrast. This is why many individuals with light hair are under the false impression they cannot get laser hair removal.

Modern devices (like the ones we use at A Younger You Medical Spa) are safe and effective for all skin and hair types.

Patients who may not be able to receive laser hair removal include individuals who have active skin infections, inflammatory skin conditions, active cold sores, open lacerations, skin cancer, sunburn, or chronic viral diseases.

If you are wondering if you are a candidate for laser hair removal, the best thing you can do is reach out to the professionals at A Younger You Meidcal Spa for a consultation.

Post-Session Results

After your laser hair removal procedure, you will not notice immediate results. It will take time for your hair to fall out.

Over the next one to three weeks, you'll start to notice apparent hair loss from the treated areas.

The more sessions you attend and the more consistently you maintain your sessions, the fewer hairs will grow back after treatment.

After each treatment, there is no downtime required. You can immediately resume your lifestyle and routine following each laser hair removal session.

Getting Started with Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is an incredibly simple procedure, and it's easy to get started! All you have to do is contact A Younger You Medical Spa for a consultation to ensure you have no pre-existing contraindications against treatment.

Our team will evaluate the areas you want to be treated. Then, it's as simple as starting treatment!

After your session, our team will go over the recommended treatment plan so you can continue to enjoy your results long-term.