What You Need to Know Before Having Laser Hair Removal

What You Need to Know Before Having Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a popular cosmetic procedure that removes unwanted hair. More and more people are turning to this popular cosmetic procedure to eliminate the need for waxing or shaving unwanted hair. While laser hair removal has a variety of benefits, there are a few things you need to know if you are considering a laser hair removal treatment. In this blog post, we will discuss four things you need to know before getting a laser hair removal treatment.

how laser hair removal works

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure that uses a laser to target and remove unwanted hair. The laser emits a light that is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle. This light energy converts to heat, which damages the hair follicle and prevents future hair growth.

What You Need to Know Before Treatment

It is Not Effective on All Hair

Laser hair removal is not effective on all hair colors. This is because laser hair removal works by targeting pigments in the hair follicle. This means that if you have very light blonde, gray, or red hair, the laser may not be able to target the hair follicle. In order to be an ideal candidate for laser hair removal, you should have dark hair and light skin.

You Will Need to Avoid the Sun

avoid the sun icon

Before and after your laser hair removal treatment, you will need to avoid sun exposure. This is because the sun can cause your skin to tan, or darken. When your skin darkens, it makes it harder for the laser to detect the hair follicle, which can affect your results. It is important to wear sunscreen and avoid direct sunlight for about a month before your treatment. Additionally, it is also recommended to have laser hair removal done in the fall, winter, or early spring for this reason.

Multiple Treatments are Needed

Laser hair removal is not a one-time treatment. Most people will need multiple treatments to see the desired results. This is primarily because the laser only targets follicles in the active growth phase. Since not all hairs are in the same phase at the same time, multiple treatments will be needed. The number of treatments you will need depends on the area being treated, your skin type, and your hair type. On average, about six treatments are recommended.

Certain Medications Can Affect Treatment

Certain medications can make you more sensitive to light, which can make laser hair removal less effective. If you are taking any medications, be sure to talk to your doctor before getting a laser hair removal treatment.

Some Aftercare is Required

After your laser hair removal treatment, you will need to take care of the treated area. This includes avoiding sun exposure, wearing sunscreen, and using a gentle cleanser. You should also avoid hot showers, saunas, or anything that will make you sweat for at least 24 hours after your treatment. Be sure to talk to your doctor about what aftercare is required for your specific treatment.

In Conclusion

In this blog post, we have discussed five things you need to know before getting a laser hair removal treatment. We hope that this information has been helpful and that you will now be able to make an informed decision about whether or not laser hair removal is right for you. For more information, schedule a consultation with our laser technician today! Thanks for reading!

Lee A. Kleiman a doctor at Anne Arundel ENT

Dr. Lee A. Kleiman is a double board certified ENT & plastic surgeon at Anne Arundel ENT in Annapolis, Maryland known for his superior clinical outcomes in all Surgical and Non-Surgical ENT, specializing in Sinus Care, Voice and Swallowing, Rhinoplasty and Revision Rhinoplasty, and Facelifts and Non-surgical Aesthetic. He also continues to attend conferences internationally and nationally to keep abreast of the latest treatments and technology.