Are you sick and tired of your skin burning during and after a waxing session? Are you frustrated by needing to shave before wearing a bathing suit? Do you wish there was a better option to remove unwanted hair than depilatory creams that smell awful and hurt your skin? If so, you may be a good fit for laser hair removal at the office of Mimi Lee, MD in Little Rock, AR. Today, we’re answering some of the most commonly asked questions about this treatment.
How Many Times Do You Need To Get Laser Hair Removal?
You can reasonably expect to need between two and 10 laser hair removal sessions depending on such factors as your goals, your skin and hair color, and the region of the body receiving treatment. Your goals most significantly affect how many treatment sessions you will need because if your goal is to achieve hair reduction, you will probably only need between two and four treatment sessions depending on your skin tone, hair color, and area of concern.
Neither your skin tone nor your hair color will affect whether you qualify for laser therapy for hair removal, but these factors will affect how effective your treatment is. The more contrast there is between the color of your skin and hair, the fewer sessions you will need. This is because the treatment works by the laser targeting the extra melanin in active hair follicles. Finally, as a general rule, the smaller your area of concern is, the fewer sessions you will need.
How Frequently Can I Get Laser Therapy for Hair Removal?
It is usually recommended that you get laser therapy sessions every six weeks. There are many reasons why it is important to wait several weeks between treatment sessions. The most important reason to wait around six weeks between appointments is that it gives hair follicles in the targeted area that were dormant time to transition into the active phase. Another reason it is important to wait is that this treatment is very effective when there is 1/4″ of hair.
How Long Will My Treatment Take?
How long your treatment will take depends on numerous factors, including the number of areas you are treating and the size of the areas you are treating. However, you can expect with a fair level of confidence that your session will be over within an hour. Once the laser is calibrated to your skin, it doesn’t take long to burn the active hair follicles in the targeted area.
What Downtime Is There After Treatment?
There is no downtime required after this treatment due to its non-invasive nature. Since there are no incisions required, there is no need for sedation or general anesthesia to keep you calm during your therapy session.
Since there is neither sedation nor general anesthesia administered, it is safe for you to drive once your session is complete. Notably, it is also perfectly acceptable for you to return to work once your session is complete. You just have to keep a few post-treatment guidelines in mind.
What Recovery Guidelines Will I Need To Follow?
One of the most important post-treatment recovery guidelines you will need to follow is to avoid UV exposure for two weeks after your treatment. This is critical because laser therapy may affect your photosensitivity. Another very important post-treatment recovery guideline you must adhere to is to do your best to avoid excess heat.
This means that you should not take a steaming hot bath, hang out in a sauna, or vigorously exercise after your treatment. Furthermore, it is very important that you do not use any skincare products with any fragrances or acids. This includes BHAs and AHAs.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
We can’t tell you whether you are a good laser hair removal candidate until we have evaluated your health and aesthetic goals. However, there is a good chance that you will qualify if you are in relatively good health and looking for a safe, effective, pain-free way to eliminate unwanted hair. Note, irrespective of your overall health, you will not be able to get laser therapy if your skin is irritated at the time of the scheduled session.
Therefore, among the most pre-treatment preparation guidelines you must adhere to is mitigating the risk of sun damage. Steering clear of irritating hair removal methods, like depilatory creams, waxing, and tweezing. If you choose to shave before your treatment, take great care to not cut yourself or otherwise irritate your skin. Also, do not schedule any cosmetic treatments before your laser therapy session that may irritate your skin.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Now
Laser hair removal is a highly effective hair removal solution, but you may need between two and 10 sessions to achieve your desired results. Fortunately, treatments are quick and painless. You just have to wait roughly six weeks between sessions for maximum efficacy. If you think laser therapy for unwanted hair removal would improve your quality of life, contact us today at the office of Mimi Lee, MD in Little Rock, AR to schedule an appointment and learn more.