Laser hair removal. You’ve heard of it by now and we’re sure you’ve contemplated getting it. Who wouldn’t want to not have to shave every day?! Whether or not you’ve looked into getting laser hair removal or not, you probably know that laser hair removal is a popular option for people who want to permanently reduce hair growth. Permanent hair reduction is defined as 80% reduction of hair. It’s important to remember that your hair will not be permanently reduced after just one session however, results are typically noted after your first treatment. There is one main reason that you will need to have multiple sessions to achieve permanent hair reduction.
There are Multiple Hair Growth Phases
Your hair grows in different phases. There are three phases of hair growth – anagen, catagen and telogen. The anagen phase is the growth phase, the catagen phase is the regression stage and the telogen phase is the resting phase. You can read more in-depth about these cycles on WebMD.
When you’re getting laser hair removal, the laser emits light energy that is absorbed by the hair follicle. In order for the hair follicle to attract this light to be absorbed, it has to have pigment, or color. The anagen phase is when the follicle has the most pigment and therefore is the stage that laser hair removal is most effective in.
What you can do for maximum permanent hair reduction
Even though you will still need to get multiple treatments, there are several things that you can do to maximize your results.
Shave First
You cannot wax, use hair removal creams or get electrolysis for a few weeks before you get your treatment because you want to make sure that the hair is present. However, you can shave before you get your treatment. Shaving will remove the hair above the surface which is ideal because the laser “sees” the hair follicle below the skin. You don’t want the laser to be drawn to what’s above the skin. We recommend shaving 24 hours before the
Be Consistent
The standard waiting time is four to eight weeks, depending on the area. Every 4 weeks for the face, every 6 weeks for the mid body and every 8 weeks for the legs. You have to be consistent with keeping your appointments in order to get the best results. Many people make the mistake of getting two or three treatments and never come back. This defeats the goal of permanent hair reduction as your hair grows in cycles so you will miss some of the hair that is in the most advantageous cycle, the anagen cycle.
Have Realistic Expectations
Most people will have an 85 to 90 percent reduction in hair growth in the treated areas. You may have some hair growth after you have completed all of your treatments. The Food and Drug Administration has approved this treatment for permanent hair reduction. It may not permanently stop all the hair from growing. Also, if you have certain conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, you can expect to get regular maintenance more as your hormone levels cause more hair growth.
If you’re ready to experience the confidence that laser hair removal can give you, come in for a free consultation. We’re the most experienced laser hair removal clinic in the area.