What Is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal removes unwanted hair by using lasers. The lasers used to remove hair target the roots of the hair just beneath the skin’s surface.

Lasers that remove hair cause localized damage by selectively heating melanin, while not affecting the rest of the
skin. Melanin occurs naturally in our skin. It gives our skin and hair its color. The darker the hair and the lighter the skin, the better the result of laser hair removal. Laser hair removal is less effective on red, blonde and white hair. Waxing, plucking, and electrolysis are alternatives to lasers for these lighter hair colors.

The laser can only disable hair follicles that are in the active growth phase. Normally only about 20% of a person’s hair is actively growing at a given point in time. This is why a series of treatments is necessary.

Side Effects

At least two weeks prior to treatment, no sun exposure to the area being treated is a must. Also, wait one week after spray tanning before hair removal treatment. A person’s natural or baseline skin color is important. If skin color remains at baseline, the technician can keep the setting the same or treat a little more aggressively during each treatment. If skin color changes from its baseline, the settings must be adjusted.

Some tolerable discomfort is to be expected during treatments. After the treatment, itching, pink skin, redness, and swelling around the treatment area, or swelling of the follicles, may be observed. Icing the area for 20-30 minutes after the treatment helps relieve these side effects of the procedure.

Between treatments, shaving is the only recommended method of hair removal. Plucking, waxing or use of depilatories for unwanted hair are not recommended at all. A good sunblock is always recommended when doing laser hair removal. A sunblock with a minimum of SPF30 is preferable.

Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

Though it is not guaranteed to be permanent, most people who have laser hair removal experience long-lasting results after completing a series of treatments. A series of 6 treatments is usually recommended. The time between treatments is normally 4 to 8 weeks. Most people benefit from a touch-up session 3 to 4 months after the last treatment, or if hair regrowth is observed.

Types of Lasers

Different types of lasers are used to remove hair from light or medium colored skin and from dark skin. This is for technical reasons related to the effect of different wavelengths of light on skin of different colors. Both types of lasers are available at Althea Medspa.

Laser Hair Removal at Althea Medspa

Laser hair removal has become popular because of its speed and efficacy. Finding an experienced practitioner is important because some of this efficacy depends on the skill and experience of the technician. Althea Medspa has been performing laser hair removal since 2010 and has treated several thousand clients.