If you’re a woman who struggles with excess hair on your body or face, then we salute you. We know that yours is not an easy row to hoe.
You’ve probably been hacking away at the problem since you entered puberty, possibly even venturing into your parents’ room to secretly borrow your mom’s shaving implements. But shaving is time consuming and it can lead to ingrown hairs.
As for waxing and sugaring – a little ouchie, truth be told and threading – sheer insanity. So, you’re here because you’re looking at the possibility of taking the leap to laser hair removal. Let us fill you in on the facts.
How the Magic Happens
This is the Jedi hair removal technique, as lasers are used to target the root of the hair (follicle), under the skin. By seeking out pigment (melanin), the laser disrupts the growth cycle of the hair, preventing it from re-establishing itself.
Timing Is Everything
Hair has 3 stages in its growth cycle. Anagen, telogen and catagen. The Anagen stage is when hair is growing. The telogen phase is when hair is dormant. Finally, the catagen phase is when the hair dies.
It’s in the growth (anagen) stage that laser hair removal is most effective, as the pigment required by the laser is present only in this stage.
This is the reason laser hair removal sessions should be scheduled 4 to 6 weeks apart. This ensures that your hair growth cycle is at the most advantageous stage for the treatment to be effective. And by the way – your hair isn’t all at the same stage of growth, so between 4 and 6 treatments are required to get the results you desire.
Am I a Candidate?
If you have dark hair and light skin, you’re the ideal candidate. Why? Because your hair/skin pigmentation is optimal for the laser. Because there’s sufficient contrast between the hair and skin, the combination of dark and light makes the laser’s job easier.
People with dark skin and dark hair are more difficult to treat, due to the lack of contrast, but new generation lasers are making laser hair removal safer for people with this type of skin/hair pigmentation.
If you’re a very light skinned person with light hair, then you’re probably not a good candidate. That said, people of this coloration are treated on a case-by-case basis as there may be sufficient variation between hair and skin color to perform successful laser hair removal.
Full Disclosure
The only truly permanent FDA-approved method for removing unwanted hair is electrolysis. But it’s a painful process and one not many are willing to undergo.
While laser hair removal isn’t completely permanent, it’s your best option to control excess hair. A recent study showed a 90% reduction in hair in the control group being examined.
Laser Hair Removal at [primary_practice]
Need to know more about laser hair removal? Book a consultation with [primary_practice]. We’ll discuss the appropriateness of the treatment for your hair/skin type. You’ll never know if you don’t visit!
