At Allure Enhancement Center in Lafayette, LA, we strongly believe that everyone should feel confident in their skin. We understand how hard it can be to feel confident when you have unwanted hair, and we also understand that shaving and other traditional methods for removing unwanted hair aren’t right for everyone. Today, we’re taking a closer look at laser hair removal to help you determine if it’s right for you.
Hair Removal: How Long Do Results Last?
The final results of laser hair removal may last a lifetime. However, there are several things you should understand about the durability of the results that you can realistically expect. First, you should understand that you can’t expect long-lasting results until you have completed a full course of treatments. This treatment can only remove actively growing hairs.
Follow-up appointments are required when other follicles in the targeted area enter the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. Depending on your goals, you may need between three and six treatment sessions in each area of concern to achieve the look you desire. In the meantime, you may enjoy your aesthetic for several weeks. You should also know that PCOS and other conditions can result in future unwanted hair growth.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
How Soon Can I Expect To See the Results of My Treatment?
How soon you can expect to see your laser hair removal results depends on multiple factors, but you can generally expect to start noticing your hair falling out five to 14 days after your treatment session. However, it can take up to 30 days for all of the treated follicles to release their hair. During your initial consultation, we will give you a better idea of what results you can realistically expect.
However, you should understand that you can’t come in for a follow-up session until new follicles in your area of concern enter the anagen phase. Depending on the area being treated and other factors, this may be four to six weeks after your previous session. If you need three sessions spaced four weeks apart, it may be four months before you can enjoy your optimal results.
What Areas Can Be Treated With Laser Hair Removal?
If your skin is fairly healthy, laser therapy can be used to remove unwanted hair from virtually any region of your body. For instance, it is often used to remove unwanted hair from the bikini region, lower legs, and upper legs. However, you can also use laser therapy to remove unwanted hair from your neck, lower face, and midface. Other areas that are commonly targeted for treatment include the following:
- Chest
- Back
- Abdomen
- Arms
- Underarms
You should know, though, that there are a few areas that can’t be treated with laser therapy. For example, you cannot use this treatment to remove unwanted hair from your eye area due to the sensitivity of the skin. You also can’t use laser hair removal to treat tattooed areas.
What Preparation Steps Will I Need To Take Before Treatment?
One of the most important preparation steps you must take before laser hair removal is discontinuing the use of topical products that contain alpha- or beta-hydroxy acid. It is also essential that you do not expose the skin in your targeted treatment areas to direct sunlight in the weeks leading up to your treatment. Unprotected sun exposure can lead to sunburn, and we can’t treat irritated skin.
Another reason you should protect your skin from the sun is that this treatment is most effective when there is a significant contrast between the color of your hair and the tone of your skin. Regardless of how dark your targeted hair is, the paler your skin is, the fewer treatments you should need to see your desired results.
Should I Shave Before My Treatment?
Yes, you should shave the areas you’re targeting for treatment before your laser therapy session. However, you must be very careful and use a sharp razor with shaving cream to mitigate the risk of skin irritation. You should not use any other form of hair removal, such as a depilatory cream, waxing, or tweezing. These methods of removing unwanted hair may irritate your skin or decrease the efficacy of your laser therapy session.
What Should I Expect During My Treatment Session?
You can expect your laser therapy session to be comfortable and safe. To ensure your comfort during your treatment, we will use a topical numbing cream to desensitize your skin. To protect your eyes during treatment, we will give you special eye protection to wear regardless of what body parts you’re targeting.
We will also keep you safe during your treatment by ensuring you are free from irritation and other contraindications. You can generally expect your treatment session to take between 15 and 60 minutes to complete depending on the size of the targeted areas.
What Aftercare Guidelines Will I Need To Follow?
There are many critical aftercare guidelines you must follow once your laser therapy session is complete. One is that you may not expose your skin to excessive heat for 48 hours post-treatment. You should bathe with cool or lukewarm water and use a gentle cleanser that is free from ingredients that may irritate your skin. You should also protect your skin from sun damage by limiting sun exposure and wearing adequate sunscreen.
Another crucial aftercare guideline you must follow is to not scratch the treated area. If your skin feels itchy, you can soothe it with a topical anti-itch product or use a gentle moisturizer to soothe your skin. Moreover, you may not use any topical products, including medications, creams, and cleansers, that contain ingredients that may irritate your skin.
Get Rid of Unwanted Hair
Hair removal results have the potential to last forever. However, there are factors, like PCOS, that can result in new unwanted hair growth in the treated areas. To find out if this treatment is right for you, schedule an initial consultation with us today at Allure Enhancement Center in Lafayette, LA.