How To Get Best Results From Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is becoming one of the most commonly used methods to eliminate hair growth for an extended period of time.  The process has been thoroughly tested and is clinically proven to remove or reduce hair quickly, without affecting the surrounding skin.  As a result, you can get the results you want with minimal or no downtime.  At most, your skin may be a little red for a day or two.  Some people describe it as having a mild sunburn for the first several hours.

This post also covers tips for laser hair removal at home and how to speed up laser hair removal.

How to Use Laser Hair Removal to Get the Best Results

Despite its wide-spread adoption, many are still asking – how effective is laser hair removal? Like any cosmetic procedure, there are certain things you can do to make your laser hair removal sessions more effective.

1.  Take Advantage of the Best Technology

One of the most important things you can do to improve your laser hair removal effectiveness is take advantage of the best technologies available.  A number of advances have been made in laser hair removal over the past several years.  These advances not only improve the effectiveness but also your level of comfort.  For example, the Soprano XL includes a built-in DualChill technology.  This means you can keep your skin comfortable without needing analgesics or cooling gels.  This can shorten the session time as well is make the technician’s job easier.

2.  Understand You Will Need Multiple Laser Hair Removal Sessions

One of the most common mistakes people make is going into their first session and thinking everything will be taken care of at once.  Laser hair removal technology only has the ability to affect hair in the early growth phase.  On every part of your body, your hair follicles are constantly cycling between the growth phase and a dormant phase.  As a result, every area will require multiple sessions, regardless of how large or small it is.  This is the only way to get the ideal results you desire.  By understanding this from the very beginning, you will be significantly more satisfied with your results after each session.

3.  Avoid Removing Hair by the Roots for 6 Weeks Prior to Your Treatment

Many professionals recommend that you avoid removing hair by the roots for at least six weeks prior to your session.  This means you should avoid methods such as tweezing and waxing.  The better alternative is to either save or use a hair removal cream which is designed to only remove the visible hair above the skin, such as Nair.  This will ensure the laser hair removal session targets all of the follicles in the growth phase.  It might be surprising to find out how often you pluck or wax and end up breaking the hair off below skin level, yet accidentally leave the follicle behind.

4.  Avoid Caffeine for 24 Hours before Your Treatment

While it is not necessary, you may want to avoid caffeine for 24 hours prior to your session.  Some people have reported this can reduce the level of pain experienced as well as help you relax.

5.  Shave the Day of Your Laser Hair Treatment

It is extremely helpful if you shave the day of or day before, your laser hair removal session.  By shaving the excess hair, it will be easier for your technician to find and target your hair follicles.  This makes the treatment more effective and also can shorten your session time.

6.  If It Hurts – Tell Your Technician

The final tip is always communicate with your technician throughout the process.  If it hurts or is uncomfortable let them know.  There are a number things they can do to soothe your skin, including lowering the intensity of the laser.

Tips For Laser Hair Removal At Home

When it comes to picking an at-home hair removal equipment, Dr. Adar suggests the Tria Beauty Hair Removal Laser 4X and the Silk’n Infinity. Both are cleared by the FDA and are equally priced, but they do work differently. While the Silk’n device utilizes IPL, the Tria features a diode laser technology that more closely mimics professional treatments. Both work on fair to light brown skin and light brown to black hair.

Once you’ve decided on a gadget, here’s how to get the most out of it:

1. CONSIDER YOUR SKIN TONE & HAIR COLOR
   Lighter skin with black hair performs best for laser hair removal. Dr. Adar warns that if you have lighter hair (think: blond, gray, and hues of red), save your money Because these gadgets won’t work. Moreover, many at-home devices are not safe for persons with darker skin tones, so be sure to contact with a board certified practitioner before beginning treatment.
2. DON’T FORGET A PATCH TEST
   As a best practice, Dr. Adar recommends doing a small test spot and waiting a few days to see how your skin reacts. “Never double pulse on the same spot,” he urges. “Most devices include sensors that will only allow you to shoot it when there is full contact with the skin.” That sensor is also supposed to safeguard your peepers. “Never point any laser toward your eyes, as the back of the eye (i.e. the retina) has light-sensing cells that can be destroyed and in severe circumstances cause irreversible blindness,” he advises.
3. NEVER PLUCK OR WAX Since the lasers target the pigment in the hair follicles, they need to be present in order for the therapy to be effective. If you pluck or wax, the light will not have a way to hone in on the hair follicle root. Instead, Dr. Adar recommends shaving before each treatment to avoid the hairs above the skin from being too long and absorbing the light energy, thereby limiting efficiency of the device.
4. START WITH CLEAN SKIN
   It may seem basic, but it bears repeating: Make sure skin is squeaky clean before treatment. Prior of using the device, remove any skincare products, which can interfere with the devices efficacy, from the face or body. Oh, and skip sunbathing. Treatments may be hampered by the skin’s increased pigment due to tanning.
5. TAKE YOUR TIME
   Like with professional treatments, you should space out your at-home laser sessions. Depending on the brand and body part being treated, Dr. Adar believes it could take four to eight sessions, spaced anywhere from two to four weeks apart (see the directions that come with the device) for results. Keep in mind that shaving at home is a marathon, not a sprint, he advises. “Don’t immediately turn the device up to its highest level. I recommend starting at the lower setting and working your way up.”
6. Be ready for a little discomfort
   Since at-home devices consume less energy than office-based ones, they are typically more tolerable and have fewer adverse effects. Most patients feel a zap (akin to snapping a rubber band), and some moderate discomfort may be involved. Dr. Adar recommends freezing the region beforehand, aiming a cold fan at the targeted area during treatment, or applying a topical anesthetic to reduce pain.
7. KEY MAINTENANCE IS
   IPL hair removal promises long-term hair reduction, while maintenance will likely be needed to keep the target region free of fuzz. After your initial four to eight appointments, touch-ups can be spaced out four to six weeks apart. This timing, according to Dr. Adar, is caused by the hair follicle’s life cycle. “Each treatment destroys the hair follicle in place, and the hair that regrows comes in thinner and lighter,” he explains. Hence, “laser hair reduction” is a better moniker for these procedures than “laser hair removal.”
8. STAY OUT OF THESE AREAS
   Make sure to seek the advice of a board-certified dermatologist before undergoing any form of treatment for skin around the eyes, tattoos, moles, or other skin problems to prevent any unexpected harm.

When To See Results From Laser Hair Removal

How To Speed Up Laser Hair Removal

Despite its widespread use, many people continue to query the effectiveness of laser hair removal. With any cosmetic surgery, there are certain things you can do to make your laser hair removal sessions more effective.

1.  Take Advantage of the Best Technology
One of the most important things you can do to improve your laser hair removal effectiveness is take advantage of the best technologies available. A number of breakthroughs have been made in laser hair removal during the past several years. These innovations not only boost the efficacy but also your degree of comfort. For example, the Soprano XL boasts a built-in DualChill technology. This means you can keep your skin pleasant without having analgesics or cooling gels. This can minimize the session duration as well is make the technician’s job easier.

2.  Realize You Will Need Many Laser Hair Removal Treatments
One of the most typical mistakes people make is going into their first session and believing everything would be taken care of at once. Laser hair removal technique only has the capacity to influence hair in the early growth phase. Your hair follicles alternate between a growth phase and a dormant phase on every part of your body. As a result, every area will take numerous sessions, regardless of how large or little it is. This is the only method to acquire the ideal outcomes you desire. You will be substantially more pleased with your outcomes after each session if you realize this right away.

3.  Prevent Removing Hair by the Roots for 6 Weeks Prior to Your Therapy
Many professionals recommend that you avoid removing hair by the roots for at least six weeks prior to your session. This implies you should avoid procedures such as tweezing and waxing. The better option is to either use or refrain from using a hair removal cream like Nair that is made to only remove hair that is visible above the skin. This will guarantee that every hair follicle in the growth phase is targeted during the laser hair removal session. It can be shocking to find out how often you pluck or wax and wind up breaking the hair off below skin level, yet accidentally leave the follicle behind.

4.  Avoid Caffeine for 24 Hours before Your Therapy
While it is not necessary, you may want to avoid coffee for 24 hours before to your session. Several people have found this can lower the level of pain experienced as well as help you relax.

5.  Shave the Day of Your Laser Hair Treatment
It is incredibly useful if you shave the day of or day before, your laser hair removal session. By removing the excess hair, it will be easier for the technician to detect and target your hair follicles. This makes the treatment more effective and also helps minimize your session time.

6.  If It Hurts – Inform Your Technician
The final step is always communicate with your professional during the process. If it hurts or is uncomfortable let them know. They can do a variety of things, such as reduce the laser’s strength, to calm your skin. Also, by keeping in constant communication with your Houston medical spa expert, you can be sure that everyone is always on the same page.