Blog

It’s not uncommon for people to have unwanted hair on various parts of the body or face. Unfortunately, shaving this hair doesn’t produce the smooth, blemish-free, and long-lasting results that most people want. For silky skin that’s soft to the touch, laser hair removal is often the best solution. These treatments target hair follicles directly so that unwanted hair is eliminated right at its source. Not only is laser hair removal unlikely to lead to thick, spiky stubble and hair bumps, but it also produces long-lasting results. However, before giving this effective and virtually painless procedure a try, here are five important things that you should do to get ready.

1. Stick to Shaving

When choosing any new hair removal procedure, it’s important to adjust your normal grooming routine to ensure optimum treatment results. For instance, when waxing is your chosen method, you’ll want the targeted hairs to have a certain amount of length. With laser hair removal, waxing, plucking, threading, or “sugaring” the treatment area should be avoided at all costs. These hair removal methods are rough on the skin, and they can decrease the overall effectiveness of your laser treatment. Instead, stick to shaving for several days or weeks before your appointment. This will allow you to maintain a well-groomed look without preventing you from reaching your cosmetic goals.

2. Get Ready for Multiple Laser Hair Removal Sessions

During laser hair removal procedures, targeted pulses of laser light gradually destroy individual hair follicles. This makes these structures increasingly less able to produce new and healthy strands of hair. However, it’s important to note that laser hair removal is never a one-off treatment. It takes multiple sessions for most people to obtain the totally hairless looks they want. With each session, all new hairs across the treatment area will appear progressively finer and lighter. Although laser hair removal can result in the permanent removal of all unwanted hair for some people, for others, multiple sessions will lead to the semi-permanent to permanent reduction of unwanted hairs instead.

Factors Affecting the Success of Your Laser Hair Removal Procedures

There are a number of factors that will determine how successful your treatments are at producing permanent and total removal of unwanted hairs. These same factors will also determine the number of sessions required. For instance, people with lighter skin tones and light-colored hairs often require more sessions than do people with darker complexions and dark-colored hairs. This is because the laser targets pigment within the hair follicles. For most clients, approximately 80 percent of the targeted hair follicles will be completely destroyed after several sessions.

3. Avoid Using Depilatory Creams and Other Topical Products

Just as you shouldn’t wax or pluck the targeted area ahead of any laser hair removal session, you also want to avoid topically applying any depilatory creams. It’s also a good idea to stay away from lotions and other moisturizers just ahead of treatment. These products may have ingredients that interact negatively with the laser. Using them could increase your risks of skin irritation, pigmentation issues, or even injury.

4. Find Out About Aftereffects and Aftercare

Before your very first session, it’s a good idea to learn more about laser hair removal, its likely aftereffects, and the recommended forms of aftercare. Taking the time to research these things will eliminate the fear of the unknown, and make you more relaxed and comfortable. Some people experience mild irritation and swelling after their procedures. These developments are normal, and they’re capable of resolving on their own. If your skin feels especially uncomfortable after treatment, gently applying a warm or cold compress can help. Dr. Baird will have both aftercare instructions and tips on how to alleviate any aftereffects you experience.

5. Limit Sun Exposure

Although your unwanted hairs may be aesthetically unpleasing, this doesn’t mean that they don’t serve a purpose. These hairs help keep your skin protected from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Using laser treatment to eliminate them will make your skin more vulnerable to sun damage. Thus, after your treatment is complete, you may be advised to limit sun exposure, and to always apply a quality sunblock before going out.

Schedule a Consultation

Dr. David A. Baird has extensive experience in performing successful laser hair removal treatments. When working with Dr. Baird, you can look forward to a virtually painless procedure and one that helps you meet your cosmetic goals. To find out more about having laser hair removal performed in Farmington, MI, call or schedule a consultation appointment today.