Laser hair removal has become a popular choice for many individuals seeking a more permanent solution to unwanted body hair. This procedure is effective on various parts of the body, including the arms, legs, back, and chest. The process involves targeting the pigment in dark hair follicles with heat energy, ultimately destroying the follicle and interrupting the hair growth cycle.
During a laser hair removal session, a specially designed laser is used to focus on the hair follicles. The heat energy is absorbed by the pigment in the hair, which serves as a conductor to the follicle. This energy then damages the follicle, inhibiting its ability to produce hair. Over time, with repeated sessions, the hair follicle becomes less and less active, leading to a reduction in hair growth and eventually causing the hair to fall out.
One of the main benefits of laser hair removal is the long-lasting results it provides. Unlike traditional methods of hair removal such as shaving or waxing, laser hair removal can offer permanent hair reduction in the treated area. Additionally, the procedure is relatively quick and virtually painless, with most patients experiencing only a slight tingling sensation during the treatment.
It is important to note that laser hair removal works best on individuals with dark hair and light skin. This is because the laser targets the pigment in the hair follicle, and darker hair tends to absorb more light energy. However, advancements in laser technology have made it possible for individuals with darker skin tones to undergo laser hair removal safely and effectively.
Before undergoing laser hair removal, it is recommended to consult with a certified dermatologist or laser technician to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. They will assess your skin type, hair color, and medical history to create a personalized treatment plan that meets your individual needs.
In conclusion, laser hair removal is a popular and effective method of reducing unwanted body hair. By targeting the pigment in dark hair follicles with heat energy, this procedure can provide long-lasting results and a smoother, hair-free appearance. Consult with a professional to determine if laser hair removal is right for you and say goodbye to the hassle of traditional hair removal methods.
In this post, we’ll highlight laser hair removal atlanta and aya laser hair removal.
Harlem Laser Hair Removal
Laser technology allows professionals to target hair with pulses of light applied to the skin. The light from the laser is absorbed by the pigment of the hair and travels down the shaft to the hair follicle. It’s in the follicle that the light turns to heat.
The heat disrupts and destroys the follicle when it’s in its active growing phase. Once these follicles are destroyed, they can no longer grow hair, and the results are permanent.
Why Do We Have Hair Everywhere?
Before the modern-day, meaning before houses, heat, and clothes, our hair was much thicker and played a vital role in our survival. It acted as a barrier to debris, pests, and other foreign objects from getting to our skin. It also regulated our temperature, keeping us warm in cold weather and hanging on to sweat to cool us in hot weather.
We have hair growing on every part of our bodies except for the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet because these needed to be sensitive so we could sense injury or dangerous conditions.
Now, we don’t need hair everywhere, and we spend a lot of time trying to remove it.
What Is Hair?
Hair is something we all take for granted without really knowing what it is. To understand why full body laser hair removal works, we have to know what makes up our hair. Our hair is made of the protein keratin. The shaft of the hair is the part we can see, and the cells in that part of the hair are no longer alive.
The Follicle
This is where all the action happens. The follicle anchors the hair to the skin. The base of the follicle is known as the hair bulb and this is where cells divide and grow to make the shaft of the hair. Blood vessels nourish the cells here, and hormones are delivered to change our hair’s growth during different phases of our lives.
The color of our hair is determined by our genetics and is created by pigment cells that produce melanin in the follicle. As we age, these pigment cells die and our hair loses its color, turning gray.
Hair’s Growth Cycle
Our hair grows in a four-stage cycle. You’ll notice you lose hair every day. Most of us lose about 100 hairs from our heads daily. Not all of our hair is growing at the same time, which is also why you’ll see that hairs on your head are always at different lengths, which can add to frizz and flyaway hair.
Growing Phase
This is known as the anagen phase and is the active growing phase. This stage in the cycle can last between two and seven years, depending on your genetics. How long this phase lasts will determine the length of your hair.
The growth phase can be different lengths of time depending on the part of your body on which it grows. The longest growth phase is found on our scalps.
Transition Phase
This phase, the catagen phase, is a transitional period that lasts about ten days. This is when the follicle shrinks and detaches from the bulb and moves closer to the surface of the skin.
Resting Phase
The telogen phase of hair growth lasts about three months, and anywhere from 10 to 15% of our hair is in this phase at all times. The old hair is resting closer to the surface of the skin while new hair forms in the bulb of the follicle.
New Hair Phase
The exogen phase is when we shed our old hair as the new hair pushes out of the skin. The new hair then enters its growth phase and the cycle begins again. Most people can see between 50-150 hairs shed each day, and this is considered normal.
Full Body Laser Hair Removal
Most of us try to remove unwanted hair daily. This can be time-consuming and even painful depending on our preferred method of removal. Shaving, waxing, bleaching, and plucking are all temporary and an exercise in futility if we’re trying to eliminate hair completely.
The only permanent way to remove hair is through full body laser hair removal. We think we may be saving money by using our daily routines, but if you add up all the money spent over a lifetime of full body laser hair removal, the costs of these temporary methods can far surpass what we might spend on laser treatment sessions.
Shaving
This is the most popular method of hair removal. Both men and women use razors to remove hair from all parts of the body. The downside is the time it takes to shave every day, and the results are temporary. No sooner have we shaved then our hair is growing back for us to do it all over again the next day. For those of you with fast-growing hair, you may notice stubble later the same day.
Shaving may seem like an inexpensive way to remove unwanted hair, but with the rising costs of razors, it quickly adds up. There are other downsides to this daily ritual:
- Razor burn from dull or inexpensive razors
- Immediate re-growth
- Scarring from nicks and cuts in hard to reach and sensitive areas, like ankles and knees
- Waste of time
Waxing
The frustrating part about waxing is the illusion it gives of permanently changing the way our hair grows. Once you’ve applied hot wax to your skin and waited for it to harden so you can rip out your hair, follicle and all, it appears to grow back thinner and sparser. This is temporary.
While your follicle is revving back up to speed, your hair may be softer, but over time as the blood vessels return and protein builds, the hair will return to its normal thickness and density. More downsides to waxing include:
- Expensive monthly visits to a salon
- The pain of ripping hair out from its root
- Burns, blisters, and infections from hot wax and cross-contamination of publicly used wax
- Damage to sensitive skin
Depilatory Creams
These creams and lotions are packed with chemicals designed to attack and break down the protein in hair, turning it to jelly. Not only do these creams come with an offensive odor, but the chemicals needed to destroy hair are harmful. If directions aren’t followed, the results can be burns, rashes, blisters, and permanent scarring.
This method is frustratingly temporary because it only addresses hair at the surface. People with dark hair may end up with a blue tinge just below the surface. This is because the hair is still there, just under the skin, but some of the chemicals may have seeped down, turning it to jelly and creating a goop under your skin.
Bleaching
This doesn’t remove hair at all but tries to mask it by removing its color. While this may give the illusion of less hair, it can sometimes be more noticeable. Bleaching does nothing to address the volume or thickness of hair and putting makeup on it can call attention to it, doing the opposite of what was intended.
Bleach can also be harsh on the skin and may cause burns and other damage.
How Full Body Laser Hair Removal Works
The Full Body Laser hair removal looks for the contrast between your hair and your skin, using pigmentation as a bullseye. The best results come from the biggest contrast between hair and skin color, with dark hair against light skin getting the best results. Laser technology has come a long way, so people with lighter hair and darker skin can now enjoy the benefits of this treatment.
As each follicle in the active growth phase is targeted, it dies. Slowly, the hair will shed and those hairs that have lost their follicle because of laser disruption will not grow back.
What to Expect
Your skincare and laser specialist will meet with you to determine if this is the right treatment for you. Your skin and hair will be examined in the areas that most concern you. Areas of the body this treatment works well on include:
- Legs
- Arms
- Bikini area
- Back
- Face
- Underarm
If you’re a good candidate for this treatment, there are a few preparations you must make.
Before Your Appointment
It’s important you don’t tan or use tanning products for a month before your appointment. Remember, the laser targets the contrast between your hair and skin, so the lighter your skin, the better. You also shouldn’t wax or pluck for six to eight weeks before treatment. You want to leave as many of your follicles in the growth phase as possible.
You can continue to shave and will be asked to do so 24 hours before your appointment. This allows the laser a clearer target. Without surface hair blocking its view, it’s better able to pinpoint the follicle.
During Your Appointment
To start your session, a numbing cream may be applied to your skin to maximize your comfort. During your full body laser hair session, the laser will be passed over your skin where it will target the follicle and sent its pulsed light down the shaft of the hair to destroy it.
Appointment times vary based on the area to be treated. If you’re doing a full-body laser hair removal session, you can plan on two to three hours based on the coverage area and the amount of hair involved.
Results
Seven to ten days after treatment, you’ll start to shed hair. These are the hairs from the follicle which was destroyed. Not all of your hair will be permanently removed yet because the laser only targets hair in its growth phase, and that can exclude up to 25% of your hair.
Multiple sessions may be required to permanently remove all your unwanted hair. Some clients, especially men, may just have one or two sessions to thin out hair on areas like the arms and legs.
Once the hair is gone, follow-up sessions shouldn’t be necessary.
Laser Hair Removal
Using the Zen Precision Method is more than just quality equipment that is optimized for all skin tones. It is a particular way of treating HZ clients that ensures that we stay in constant communication and that the service is completed to HZ standards before they depart. Our highly engineered process is designed for maximum comfort without compromising on results.
Aya Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal utilizes electric pulses and light to heat and destroy the roots of the hair follicle without harming the surrounding skin and tissue. The targeted approach of the lasers not only removes the hair but also inhibits any future growth in that area. This is achieved by targeting the hair follicle, the root of the hair, during the treatment.
Laser hair removal is a safe procedure that can be performed on all skin types and usually does not require any recovery time. However, in rare cases, some patients may experience temporary irritation, such as itching, redness, and minor swelling in the treated area. These side effects are typically mild and resolve on their own within several days. Patients often report the treatment itself feeling like a short, pinching or snapping sensation. Although very unusual, scabbing, infection, hyperpigmentation, or hypopigmentation can occur if proper treatment is not performed. Receiving laser hair removal treatments from a well-trained, licensed esthetician can reduce the chance of such side effects as they will test each individual’s skin type and use the appropriate laser and setting.
Hair Removal Options
Candela GentleMAX™ Pro
Candela GentleMAX™ Pro is a laser hair removal device that uses advanced laser technology to remove unwanted hair from various parts of the body. The device uses a dual-wavelength laser system that delivers two different laser types, the Alexandrite laser and the YAG laser, allowing it to treat a wide range of skin and hair types. The GentleMAX™ Pro is known for its fast treatment times, high efficacy, and low risk of side effects. It uses a cooling system to minimize discomfort during the treatment and provide a more comfortable experience for the patient.
Forever BARE BBL® by Sciton
Forever Bare BBL (BroadBand Light) is a type of hair removal treatment that uses intense pulsed light technology to eliminate unwanted hair. The procedure involves exposing the skin to short pulses of broadband light, which destroys the hair follicles and inhibits future growth. This technology is considered safe and effective for all skin types, and can be used to treat hair on various parts of the body, including the face, legs, arms, and back. The effects of Forever Bare BBL can last for several months, making it a popular alternative to traditional hair removal methods like waxing or shaving. The procedure typically requires several sessions for optimal results, and patients are advised to protect their skin from sun exposure both before and after treatment to reduce the risk of side effects.
Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?
Yes, laser hair removal can be permanent depending on which treatment you choose. Laser hair removal can permanently reduce the density of the hair or permanently remove unwanted hair. A reduction in hair density means some hair can regrow, and patients will need ongoing laser treatment. Permanent hair removal means no hair will grow back, and no ongoing therapy is needed.
What are the Pros of Laser Hair Removal?
- Drastically reduced hair growth. Although most treatments don’t permanently remove hair, you will have to deal with less hair that is much finer as a result of treatment – and ongoing treatments ensure you will never have to shave or wax again. Patients have reported not seeing hair for months to even years, and the hair is ultimately lighter and less coarse.
- There is no limit to where you can remove hair from. Because of the wide range of lasers and treatments available, you can remove hair from your legs, back, underarms, bikini line, stomach, face, or anywhere you want less hair. There is no higher risk of side effects with laser hair removal in sensitive areas like the bikini line or face than there is anywhere else.
- The pain is very manageable. Depending on your hair type and where you are getting the treatment done on your body, a lot of people say laser hair removal feels like shaving or, in cases of coarse, darker hair, and waxing. Sensitive areas may be more painful, but it is a quick treatment that becomes less painful each session.
Common Areas that can be Treated by Laser Hair Removal
The most common areas patients choose to be treated by laser hair removal include:
- Face
- Neck
- Chest
- Underarms
- Legs
- Back
- Bikini area