subject: Multiple Sessions For Effective Laser Hair Removal [print this page] After decades of commitment to shaving, waxing, and plucking, you can no longer abide by that lifestyle. Take your time back with laser hair removal. Generous discounts abound, in spas and salons, but this should not be your primary consideration. Have your skin tested for allergies to light treatment with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon beforehand.
This is particularly true of darker skin or skin that is darker than usual due to sun exposure. Good advice can only come from a doctor who has handled skin similar to yours. The face, back, shoulders, arms, legs and bikini area, and indeed any body part, can be subject to laser hair removal. Hair follicles under the skin are the target of a light source, and the process should be conducted during the follicle's growth phase.
The reason why four to ten sessions, at four- to six-week intervals are necessary, depending on hair type and target area, is that hair strands grow in different phases simultaneously. Those needing the fewest treatments are usually fair with dark, coarse hair. Success is defined as destruction of 90% of follicles in the target area. Retainer treatments are given once every few years to clear the remaining 10%.
In some cases hair does grow back, but these are far thinner and are barely noticeable. Though we said that dark, coarse hair is best for treatment, there is still a way out for facial peach fuzz. A study by the American Academy of Dermatology showed that, to eliminate all facial hair, laser treatments should be complemented by a prescription cream that slows the growth of the hair and also lessens the number of sessions needed.
You can't expect it to be absolutely painless, and it is often described as snapping a rubber band. Chilling the area or applying a topical anesthetic can help ease the pain. It can be risky to apply to much anesthetic, and only a professional, like a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon, should be trusted with this therapy.
For some areas, it may take a few minutes, and for bigger areas it may reach a few hours. For each region, it usually costs $200 per treatment or $1,200 for the series. There are a few dos and don'ts to observe both before and after laser hair removal.
One month prior to therapy, eliminate tanning, including the use of self-tanners, should be eliminated from your schedule. When it comes to tweezing, waxing, and electrolysis, these are also prohibited. This is because the follicle must have a hair strand that serves as a target for the laser. Only shaving is given an okay the day before, because it leaves a little hair behind in the follicle. After the procedure, sun exposure is an even bigger no because your skin will be extra sensitive to the sun's rays. Only sunscreen of at least SPF30 can protect your skin at this time.
