Summer is finally here and you are taking advantage of every beach day you can. Bathing suits and summer attire, in general, have everyone showing more skin. This can also have you constantly shaving or waxing to keep from revealing unwanted hair, which quickly becomes a chore. Some people have unwanted hair in areas not easily hidden by clothing, making hair removal a year round task. In addition to being time-consuming, shaving and waxing can cause skin irritation. This can be both embarrassing and uncomfortable. Don’t you wish there was an easier way? You may be considering laser hair removal but have questions or concerns. Putting some of these to rest may help you decide if laser hair removal is right for you.
How Does it Work?
Laser hair removal treatment targets the pigment, which gives the hair its color. During a laser treatment, gentle pulses of light energy travel through the skin to the hair follicle and shaft. Once absorbed by the hair’s dark pigment or melanin, this light energy damages the follicle and inhibits hair growth.
After treatment, the damaged follicles will either produce very thin, tiny hairs that are virtually invisible or be completely unable to produce new hairs. Regrowth will progressively get thinner with each treatment until there is little or no hair remaining.
How Quickly Will You See Results?
Laser hair removal is a process and results are not instantaneous. Hair grows in three stages. The follicles contain more pigment during the anagen or active growth stage and will absorb more light energy. Receiving laser hair removal treatments during this growth stage will maximize results.
Because hair grows in three cycles, typically 4-6 treatments are necessary to achieve optimum results. This can vary depending on hair color and texture, skin color, the area to be treated and the amount of unwanted hair. There is a 4-6 week wait in between treatments of the face, underarms, arms, and bikini area. For the back, chest, and legs, 8-10 weeks between treatments is recommended.
Side Effects and Recovery Time
During a laser hair removal treatment, you may feel a slight sting, a bit like the snap of a rubber band, which dissipates almost immediately. Treatment times vary depending on the size of the area but typically take just a few minutes.
Once the procedure is completed, the treated area may feel like you have a mild sunburn. Laser hair removal is a minimally invasive treatment, you will be able to immediately return to normal activities. You should always use sunscreen, but it is especially important after receiving a treatment as the skin will be sensitive, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
Also, you can shave but should not wax or tweeze hair after being treated. Remember, laser hair removal focuses on the hair follicles. If you remove the follicles by waxing or tweezing the treated area, you will hinder the process. For the best results, you should allow the treated hair to fall out on its own.
Not Just for Bikini Season
Laser hair removal treatments provide benefits that you will enjoy beyond the summer season and it’s not just for the ladies. Men can experience significantly reduced chest and back hair resulting in a cleaner, well-groomed look. Any adult struggling with unwanted hair should consult with a medical professional to find out if laser hair removal is the right choice for them.
Vectus Laser Hair Removal
At Vive Aesthetics and Wellness, we offer hair removal using Vectus Laser technology developed by Cynosure. It is the fastest and safest laser available. It has the largest spot size of any laser hair removal device which means shorter treatment time. Also, The sapphire cooling tip makes the treatment as comfortable as possible.
If you are considering laser hair removal or any of our other aesthetic services, don’t hesitate! Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
