22 Jun It’s Not Too Late for Laser Hair Reduction
Oops—did you forget to start your laser hair reduction series earlier this year, and now swimsuit season is upon you? Don’t worry. Even though laser hair reduction does require a series of treatments, you will start to see some results after just one session. RefinedMD is home to one of the biggest laser suites in the region, including options for minimizing unwanted hair. So why laser hair reduction and not, well, laser hair removal? We are always transparent and honest with our clients, and the reality is that there’s no laser that’s going to get rid of 100 percent of unwanted hair forever. Only electrolysis can do that, and there’s a reason we don’t offer that treatment. Let’s take a look at the differences between the two and see what laser can do for you.
Laser hair reduction may stop unwanted hair growth to such a degree that you can go days or weeks without shaving once the treatment is complete—or even never shave again. Laser hair reduction works by “zapping” the follicle, but bear in mind that it works best on darker hairs. For blonde hairs, you’re likely going to want to stick with your regular hair removal procedure. Most people require 4 – 6 sessions of laser hair reduction spaced about one month apart. That means that if you start now, you’re going to have some great results to show off by Labor Day BBQs.
Today, there are lasers that can work on any skin tone. In the past, those with darker skin tones were not good candidates for laser hair reduction because of the risk of skin hypopigmentation. Now there are state-of-the-art lasers that are safe for everyone. Popular treatment areas include the legs, arms, underarms, bikini area, chest, back, and face—all places where darker hairs tend to grow. Treatments are fast with no downtime. Most people describe the feeling as a rubber band snapping against the skin. You may be recommended to shave prior to your laser hair reduction session, but must stop all waxing or other hair removal treatments that pull the hair from the follicle. The hair follicle needs to be intact for the laser to “see” it.
Why Not Electrolysis?
Electrolysis electrocutes the hairs one by one. It is a slow, expensive, and painful process. One by one, the provider will target the hair (and bear in mind that many people have multiple hairs in each follicle, so follicles may need to be treated multiple times as the hairs grow). Electrolysis can be painful, so the strength of the treatment is typically started on a lower, more tolerable level. However, this also means that it might not be strong enough to actually “kill” the follicle. When this happens, the treatment will need to be repeated.
It is not unusual for electrolysis of even a relatively small area, such as the face, to take years and cost several thousand dollars. The provider will need to check every month to see if the previous zap “took” and, of course, work follicle by follicle to treat “new” hairs that have grown in. Simply put, electrolysis can be suitable in some very specific circumstances, but it’s not the right solution for most people.
What to Know about Laser Hair Reduction
Not a lot of prep work is needed for this treatment beyond stopping waxing and tweezing as soon as you realize you want smoother skin for the summer! Most appointments are an hour or less and fit into most busy lifestyles. A consultation isn’t required, but can be helpful in determining the best regimen for you. You can always get more laser hair reduction in the future, and many people do after 6 – 12 months to “catch” any hairs that might have not been present during your initial series.
In many cases, people love to get lasered in the winter, but there’s no rule against starting in the summer months. If you dread another season of constant hair removal, we’ll help you out. There’s the perfect laser for you waiting in our clinic. To learn more about laser hair reduction or to schedule a consult or appointment, get in touch today. Call RefinedMD or complete the online contact form now