How many times this summer did you want to want to drop everything and head to the pool? But not so fast! Were you forgetting something? What about shaving? Ugh! Hair-removal! Am I right? Putting life on hold for a refreshing swim would be much easier if you didn’t have to remove that stubborn and unsightly hair from your legs, underarms, bikini line, and elsewhere on the body.
But what if excess body hair simply wasn’t an issue? What if you could wake up and get ready each morning without shaving, waxing, or tweezing? Well, the good news is you can, with laser hair removal treatments from Dr. Jack Peterson.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a hair-removal system that uses concentrated beams of light to eliminate unwanted hair by emitting a light that is absorbed by the melanin in your hair. The light is then converted to heat, which damages your hair follicles, delaying or preventing further growth.
What Are The Benefits of Laser Hair Removal?
Long-Term Results
While it is not considered permanent, laser hair removal is a long-term solution to hair removal as compared to shaving or waxing. Over the course of several sessions, you can expect to see a significant reduction in hair growth and possibly even a permanent reduction, depending on individual results.
Laser Focus Hair-Removal
One thing we know about lasers is that they are able to focus precisely on their targeted area. This is also true for laser hair removal. This means the laser can target your skin with ease and without damaging nearby skin. This means laser hair removal can treat a greater variety of areas of the body, including the face, legs, underarms, bikini line, and more.
Speed
Because it uses laser technology, laser hair removal is quick and easy. The laser works by emitting fast pulses of light that can cover a large area of the body in a short period of time. In fact, for areas like the upper lip, the laser can treat the area in just a few minutes!
Convenience
Not only is it convenient to get a laser treatment (just a few minutes every few weeks!), but it will also save you time down the road. That’s time you might have spent on waxing, shaving, threading or any other method of hair removal no longer necessary!
Reduction of Ingrown Hairs
If you’ve had ingrown hair, you likely know how awkward and painful it can be. Ingrown hairs are more common with shaving and waxing, but they are less likely to occur with hair that has been treated with laser hair removal. This is because the laser targets the follicles and reduces the chance of hair growing back abnormally.
Dark and Coarse Hair
If you have stubborn dark or coarse hair, you may not think laser removal can help you, but there’s good news. The darker the hair, the easier it is for the laser to target the pigment in your follicles, making the treatment easier and more efficient for those with dark hair.
Minimal Discomfort
While laser hair removal isn’t without sensation, most people find it tolerable. This, of course, will depend on the individual, the area being treated, and the strength of the laser.
Skin Appearance
Laser hair removal can improve the appearance of the skin, including the texture. This is because laser hair removal eliminates skin conditions like razor bumps and discoloration associated with waxing and shaving. It can even leave the skin feeling smoother!
What Should I Know Before Laser Hair Removal?
If you are scheduled to undergo a laser hair removal treatment, there are a few steps you should take to make sure your treatment is a success. Here are some considerations for before and after your procedure:
Avoid The Sun
Do not tan or spend any time out in the sun before or after your laser hair removal treatment. If you do have to go out into the sun, we recommend you wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30.
Don’t Use Self-Tanners
Self-tanners aren’t dangerous, but they can make it difficult for the laser to find the follicle, so we recommend skipping the sunless tanner, tanning bed, or natural tan prior to your laser hair removal treatment.
Don’t Use Other Hair-Removal Methods
When preparing for your laser hair removal treatment, it is important to only shave or trim the area that needs treatment. Do not wax, thread, use creams or use electrolysis to remove unwanted hair so as not to upset the hair follicles.
We also recommend that you shave a day or so before your procedure, not the day of. This will help eliminate unwanted skin irritation from shaving.
Skip Blood Thinners
If you take any type of blood thinner, speak to Dr. Peterson to see if these medications should be continued prior to your appointment. If possible, avoid pain medications with ibuprofen and opt instead for acetaminophen.
Are You Ready For Laser Hair Removal?
If you’re tired of frequent hair-removal sessions with traditional hair-removal products like razors and wax and are looking for a more permanent solution to your hair-removal needs, contact Dr. Peterson’s office for a laser hair-removal consultation today!
