Laser hair removal is a very popular treatment these days. The world has come a long way in accepting the presence of body hair, but for some people achieving smooth skin is a confidence boost!
Plenty of people have said goodbye to waxing and shaving in favor of permanent hair reduction and it seems most medical spas offer some form of laser hair removal.
At Phases Skin Care and Laser Center, we’re always getting inquiries from patients who are interested in finding the best laser hair removal in Carmel. Scheduling a consultation with a provider is the best way to have your questions answered, because laser hair removal is ultimately specific to each patient.
Am I a candidate for laser hair removal?
Anyone who wants to remove unwanted body hair is a candidate for laser hair removal. The only caveat is that lasers do not work well for removing light or gray colored hairs. Those with lighter hair colors will have better results with waxing or electrolysis.
Almost any area of the body can be treated with laser hair removal.
The most common areas treated:
- Back
- Underarms
- Legs
- Bikini area
- Face (upper lip, sideburns, chin)
Patients who are looking to remove “peach fuzz” from the face should consider dermaplaning, which uses manual exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and fine hairs.
Can I do laser hair removal at home?
There’s a vast selection of devices on the market that promise permanent hair reduction with at-home treatments. However, these devices are not as strong as the lasers that a medical aesthetician can use in office.
This means that you’ll be doing more treatments, more often, with less than adequate results. If you’re not trained in how to properly use lasers, you also run the risk of side effects and injury.
If you want to experience safe and permanent hair removal, your best option is to visit a qualified laser practitioner.
How does laser hair removal work?
It starts with a consultation
The best laser hair removal in Carmel starts with a consultation, where your provider will get to know you and your goals for treatment. It’s important to find a provider who is not only knowledgeable, but also makes you feel comfortable.
It’s important to seek out a provider who has good standing in the community and a history of proven results. Obviously, a laser device in inexperienced hands can be a dangerous thing, so only trust your treatment to a medspa that’s overseen by a board-certified plastic surgeon.
You should always ask your provider about the device they are using. They should be able to confidently explain how the device works in a way that you understand. A trusted aesthetician should be able to explain the differences in how they treat different skin tones.
At Phases Skin Care and Laser Center, we have three laser options for hair removal. These three technologies are FDA cleared for hair reduction and allow us to treat a wide range of skin types!
The treatment process
Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment in your hair follicles. This is why lighter hairs that lack melanin, like blonde, gray, and red hair, cannot be treated with lasers. Without melanin, the hair doesn’t have enough pigment for the laser to recognize.
In a process called selective photothermolysis, light from the laser is absorbed into the hair follicle, stunting the growth process. Most patients only experience mild discomfort, usually described as something like a “rubber band snap” during their treatment. One of the most popular hair removal lasers is completely pain free.
Your treatment can last anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours,depending on the size of the area being treated. The smaller the area, the quicker the treatment.
Results
The results from laser hair removal begin immediately, however it takes a series of at least 5 treatments to see the level reduction you desire. Even the best laser hair removal in Carmel isn’t going to have instant, permanent results.
Our patients at Phases Skin Care and Laser Center can expect to experience a significant reduction in hair growth.
How long do laser hair removal results last?
Our body has over 100,000 hair follicles, not all of which may be active at the time of treatment. Lasers treat the hairs that are in the active growing stage.When you experience hair growth in between or after your laser hair removal sessions you are seeing the growth of hairs that were in a dormant stage during your last treatment. This is why multiple treatments at 4 to 8 week intervals are required. Catching the hair follicles in the growth phase is how the lasers effectively reduce the hair in a specific area.
Proper aftercare and following the treatment plan prescribed by your aesthetician are key to guaranteeing the best results from your laser hair removal experience.
With laser hair removal, many patients are able to remain hair-free for months and even years! When hair does grow back, it is less noticeable and often lighter or finer. To keep the area completely hair-free, maintenance treatments are needed.
Why does laser hair removal require multiple treatments?
Multiple sessions makes laser hair removal more effective. Our hair grows in four different stages:
- Anagen (growth)
- Catagen (transition)
- Telogen (resting)
- Exogen (new hair growth)
During your initial laser hair removal treatment, not all of the hairs will be in the same stage. Laser hair removal is most effective on hairs that are in the first stage. During the anagen stage, the hair is still attached to the follicle because it is actively growing.
Hairs in later stages are no longer attached, as these are the hairs that you shed and find stuck on your coat. Obviously body hair is not as long as the hairs on our head, so its shedding is less noticeable.
Treating body hair with multiple laser sessions increases the percentage of hairs still in the anagen phase while being treated, which leads to greater hair reduction.
The number of follow-up treatments needed will also depend on your skin tone and skin color, as well as the growth rate for the area you’re having treated.
These sessions are usually scheduled 4 to 6 weeks apart, though for some patients it can be as long as 8 to 12 weeks. The sessions are spaced out to allow for hairs to move through different growth stages.
Are there side effects from laser hair removal?
Lasers are used to treat many skin and hair conditions and science has made many advances in laser medicine. In properly trained hands, patients generally won’t experience any side effects from laser hair removal.
People with sensitive skin are more likely to experience the most common side effects, which are discomfort, swelling and redness. These side effects are typically minor and last 1 to 3 days if they occur at all.
Laser hair removal is safe, and there is no associated downtime with the treatments. It is still a laser procedure, however, which means you need to limit your direct sun exposure after your treatment to avoid irritating your skin.
How should I prepare for my laser hair removal treatment?
Cleanse
Don’t use lotion, deodorant, sun creams, or makeup on the treatment area prior to your session. These barriers can limit the effectiveness of the laser.
Shave
The areas you’re having treated should be cleanly shaved 24 hours prior to your treatment. This allows the laser to directly penetrate the hair follicle and decreases the chance of dermal burns.
Shaving right before your treatment is not recommended. A 24 hour period allows enough of the hair follicle to be visible for the aesthetician to aim their laser.
You should not tweeze or wax the area at all prior to your session or between follow ups. Waxing disrupts the growth cycle and the hair might not come back in time for the next laser treatment, resulting in more follow ups being necessary.
Avoid the sun
Laser hair removal is less effective on tanned skin. So remember to stick to consistent use of your daily SPF and skip the tanning bed for the weeks leading up to your appointment and after.
Visit Phases Skin Care & Laser Center for the best laser hair removal in Carmel and the Indianapolis area!
Our medical aestheticians are highly trained in laser treatments for both skin and hair. We strive to make sure every patient feels welcome, comfortable, and educated throughout their entire treatment process.
We customize every treatment plan for each individual patient, based on your unique concerns and desires. We also continue to monitor your progress throughout any follow-up appointments to ensure your aesthetic journey with us is result-driven and you’re seeing the progress you want.
While you’re thinking about getting rid of your unwanted hair, don’t forget to consider how you can better care for the hair on your head too! The Hydrafacial Keravive is a relaxing way to revitalize your scalp and promote healthier hair.
We know that looking good can help you feel your best. You can use our virtual consultation tool to tell us your concerns and discover which procedures may be the best fit for you. We also have a guide to choosing the right skin treatment.
Schedule your consultation for laser hair removal today and experience the freedom of smooth, hairless skin.
