What to Expect with Laser Hair Removal
If you’re tired of shaving, waxing, or plucking, you can get rid of unwanted hair permanently with laser hair removal. You have probably heard about this technology, but you want to learn more before you decide if it’s right for you. Here’s what to expect with laser hair removal.
How is Laser Hair Removal Performed?
At Swinyer-Woseth Dermatology, we use the LightSheer diode laser, a fast, easy, and affordable laser hair removal option. This leading technology is FDA-approved, so you can trust its safety and efficacy.
When you visit our office, you will wear special goggles to protect your eyes from the laser. You may receive a topical anesthetic to reduce any discomfort during the procedure. Then, the doctor presses a handheld laser instrument to the treatment area. When activated, this device sends a laser beam through your skin to your hair follicles. This damages the roots so hair regrowth can’t occur, but your skin is left unaffected.
Where Can Laser Hair Removal be Done?
You can achieve up to a 90 percent permanent reduction in unwanted hair nearly anywhere on your body. Laser hair removal is approved for the back, chest, legs, bikini line, arms, underarms, and face. The process shouldn’t be done on the eyebrows to avoid eye injury.
What are the Risks of Laser Hair Removal?
The potential risks depend on your skin type, hair color, treatment plan, and the preparations and post-treatment steps you take. The most common side effects include temporary skin irritation and temporary changes to the color of your skin. In rare cases, laser hair removal can cause blistering, scarring, crusting, or other changes in skin texture, as well as excessive hair growth surrounding the treatment area.
How Do I Prepare for Laser Hair Removal?
Talk to a dermatologist about your hair removal goals to find out if laser treatment is right for you. If you decide to move forward, you may be instructed to follow these steps leading up to each treatment:
- Stay out of the sun.
- Avoid tanning booths or using a sunless tanner.
- Discontinue other hair removal methods that affect the follicle, including plucking, waxing, and electrolysis.
- Don’t take blood-thinning medication.
- Shave or trim the day before treatment.
How Long Do Laser Hair Removal Treatments Last?
Several treatments are required to make your hair removal permanent. For fast-growing areas such as the upper lip, treatment may be needed every four to eight weeks. For slow-growing hair on the back, for example, each procedure may be spaced out every 12 to 16 weeks. Once your treatment concludes, the hair should never grow back.
Schedule Laser Hair Removal in Salt Lake City
If you’re ready to say goodbye to unwanted hair once and for all, laser hair removal could be right for you. Swinyer-Woseth Dermatology in Salt Lake City performs safe, permanent hair removal for our customers. To learn more about the process, or to schedule an appointment, please contact our dermatologists at 801-266-8841.