Laser technologyworks to remove body hair by emitting a specialized beam of light with a wavelength that selectively targets melanin in the hair and its follicle, without affecting surrounding skin. Melanin is a naturally-occurring compound within hair responsible for its colour. The follicles are the hair growth centres of our bodies. When the papilla in the hair follicle absorbs the laser energy, the follicle is damaged to the point of being unable to grow more hair. This results in gradualremoval of hairbecause of arrested hair growth at the follicular level.
Lasers made their appearance in medicine nearly 50 years ago, in the 1960s. The use of this technology for the purpose of hair removal began approximately 15 years ago and has become a common and trusted procedure in the past decade.
Most people choose to remove their unwanted body hair with laser technology because it produces a long-lasting, and sometimes permanent result. Traditional hair removal methods like waxing, shaving, tweezing etc., provide only a temporary solution, with some lasting fewer than 24 hours. A problem associated with these traditional methods of hair removal is that they often stimulate more coarse hair growth because stimulation of the follicles and surrounding tissue leads to increase blood flow and deeper roots.
Hair which has been cut off bluntly, as with shaving, will feel rough to the touch as well. Razor bumps, ingrown hairs and the pain of waxing make these methods consistently more troublesome compared with the long-term results from laser hair removal.
The three main benefits of using laser technology for hair removal are:
- Precision – the lasers work by selectively targeting the undesirable body hair while leaving the surrounding skin perfectly healthy
- Effectiveness – clients who have undergone laser treatments to remove hair have witnessed a noticeable reduction in further hair growth
- Comfort – using lasers compared to other traditional hair removal methods prevent the development of ingrown hairs that could be uncomfortable or painful
FAQs
Your treatment time is being cut short
Laser hair removal treatments should not be rushed in any way. This will dramatically affect your results. During each treatment, the whole treatment area should be covered. If the laser is passed too quickly over the skin the energy from the laser will not be absorbed correctly.
Why is laser hair removal not working on me? ›
The laser targets the melanin (pigment) in the hair follicles, so when the hair is too light or too closely matched to the skin tone, the laser may struggle to distinguish between the two. As a result, people with light-coloured or blonde hair often experience less effective results.
Why is my hair not going away with laser? ›
If you feel like your hair isn't shedding at all, this could be due to a few factors. In some cases, the hair may be too light, the treatment intensity too low, or the hair might be in the wrong growth stage. Our laser hair removal experts can assess your progress and make necessary adjustments to your treatment.
Why is my hair not falling out after laser? ›
Lasers can kill hair only during the anagen stage. However, only about 15 percent of the hair will be present in this phase at the time of one laser session. That means that only 15 percent of hair follicles will be destroyed, and those hairs will fall off five to 14 days following treatment.
How can I improve my laser results? ›
12 Tips to Get the Best Results From Your First Laser Hair Removal Treatment
- Tip # 01: Always do your research first. ...
- Tip # 02: Avoid sun exposure before your treatment. ...
- Tip # 03: Exfoliate the area you are going to treat. ...
- Tip # 04: Avoid tweezing, waxing, and plucking before your treatment. ...
- Tip # 05: Drink plenty of water.
Shave before each treatment:
Shave the area thoroughly 12-24 hours before your appointment to ensure the best results. Surface hair, especially longer or denser hair, can absorb and dissipate the laser energy before it reaches the follicle, reducing the effectiveness of the treatment.
Why am I still hairy after laser? ›
And yes, you may still notice some hair a couple of days after your session, but this is often part of the natural shedding process or due to hairs that were in a different growth phase during treatment. Remember, quality laser hair removal is an investment in your confidence and well-being.
How to tell if laser hair removal is working? ›
You will likely see the results immediately after treatment. The results vary from patient to patient. The color and thickness of your hair, area treated, type of laser used, and color of your skin all affect the results. You can expect a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after the first treatment.
Why is my hair still growing after 4 laser sessions? ›
In rare instances, laser hair removal may cause thicker, darker hair to grow or regrow in an adjacent area to the one being treated. This condition is known as paradoxical hypertrichosis. Paradoxical hypertrichosis can occur anywhere on the face or body.
How can I increase my shedding after laser hair removal? ›
Exfoliate gently: Two to three days after your treatment, start gentle exfoliation to help remove dead skin cells and expedite hair shedding. Use a soft washcloth or an exfoliating scrub designed for sensitive skin.
Hairs do not fall out immediately, but you will shed them over a period of days to weeks. This may look like continued hair growth. The repeated treatments are usually necessary because hair growth and loss naturally occur in a cycle, and laser treatment works best with hair follicles in the new-growth stage.
How to speed up laser hair removal? ›
First and foremost, the fastest way to get the results you want is to keep your appointments. This treatment is most effective when you attend several appointments spaced one month apart. Because hair grows in cycles, you will need to be sure each hair follicle is treated each month to adequately stunt hair growth.
How long does it take to see results from laser? ›
You can begin to see hair fall out in approximately 1-3 weeks post-treatment. Laser hair removal can only damage hair that is in its active growth stage. Although hair will appear thinner and less noticeable with just one treatment, you'll need to return for multiple follow-up appointments to see optimal results.
Why didn't I feel anything during laser hair removal? ›
Each patient's pain tolerance is a deciding factor in the individual level of discomfort. Many describe the sensation of the laser as a rubber band snapping on the surface of the skin, while others barely notice anything.
How do I know if my laser removal is working? ›
You will likely see the results immediately after treatment. The results vary from patient to patient. The color and thickness of your hair, area treated, type of laser used, and color of your skin all affect the results. You can expect a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after the first treatment.
How long after laser do you notice a difference? ›
Most people start to see results of laser hair removal il treatments within the first few weeks after their first appointment. Your results will be obvious as your hair begins to fall out, and while you may see hair regrowth, you should notice that hair is growing back more slowly than before.
