It is estimated that over one million people will probably undergo laser hair removal this year. It’s obvious to see why people are drawn to laser hair removal, as it saves you time and effort when grooming. So, if you’re curious about having laser hair removal, here are some facts about laser hair removal and what to expect if you’re considering the procedure:
Laser Hair Removal Facts
- According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were 1,118,254 laser hair removal procedures in 2012. This is up from 1,078,612 in 2011 and way up from 735,996 in 2000.
- There are basically two types of lasers used for laser hair removal. For darker skins, dermatologists use the YAG laser. Lighter skinned people are treated with the Alexandrite laser. The laser targets the follicle from which the hair grows and destroys it.
- A person will need more than one visit for the treatment to work.
- The treatment area for the hand held laser device is about the diameter of a quarter.
- The length of a session depends on what area needs to be treated. A faint mustache may take a few minutes. but it may take as long as an hour to treat hair on the back.
- The lasers are so precise that they can remove the unwanted hairs and leave the skin around them relatively undamaged.
- The overwhelming majority of people who have three or four sessions will enjoy permanent loss of unwanted hair.
- Laser air removal best serves people who are dark-haired and light-skinned though advances have been made to successfully treat other people.
- Areas where the skin is thin tend to do better than areas where the skin is thick
- Repeated visits are necessary because the hair grows in cycles.
What To Expect
Before a person goes in for laser removal, the area will be shaved. Both the dermatologist and the patient will need to wear protection eye gear and the area of the skin to be treated will also be protected with a cool gel. After the session, the patient will be given an ice pack and soothing creams to place on the area to help with discomfort. The next treatment can then be scheduled within a month to a month and half and continue until the hair is permanently gone. It’s important for the person to wear sunscreen when they go out during the day while the area heals. This is true even for people with dark skin. The dermatologist with notify you of more skin care methods after the procedure to ensure your skin heals properly.
Looking for laser hair removal services near you? Contact Four Points Dermatology for quality laser hair removal and other dermatological services in the Austin, TX area.
