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What You Need To Know About Laser Hair Removal

What You Need To Know About Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is one of the most popular nonsurgical aesthetic procedures, along with Botox and hyaluronic acid fillers, with more than one million treatments each year. The process involves pulses of laser light that target the melanin (pigment) in your hair, absorbing the energy and destroying the hair follicle. This prevents hair regrowth. The strength of the laser treatment is customized for each person to make sure the treatment is effective but has minimal effect on the skin.

There are several things you should know before you have the procedure.

  • You need to avoid lighting products for at least one month prior to treatment.
  • You cannot be tan during any phase of treatment or plan on tanning. This includes tanning beds and self-tanning products.
  • You cannot wax, use depilatory creams, tweeze and or have electrolysis during the treatment phase.
  • You may shave or clip the hair a day or two before treatment depending on where you’re having the laser removal.

Typically during the laser treatment, your skin is cooled with a cool gel to release heat from the laser tip. The laser tip will also be cooled. As the laser guide glides across your skin, you may feel the warmth and a sensation that feels like a soft rubber band snap. This sensation is the absorption of the laser energy by the hair follicle. After treatment, your skin is cooled with a cold compress or towel and aloe vera gel will be applied. Some patients have redness that lasts for a short time after treatment. Most of the redness is gone within an hour or less. Your practitioner should explain these sensations in detail during your consultation and throughout your treatment sessions.

After-treatment care is important. You may notice redness and swell for the first few hours, cooled aloe may be applied after treatment throughout the day. You should take gentle care of your lasered area with mild soaps or non-abrasive cleansers. Avoid picking or scrubbing the affected area. You should avoid sun exposure for at least four weeks before and after treatment. Always use sunscreen whenever you’re in the sun.

The number of treatments you will need depends on your skin type, hair color, and hair growth phase. Hair grows in cycles, and it needs to be caught in the growth phase for the procedure to be effective. Typically, 20% of your hair will be in the growth cycle phase during your treatment. The laser does not affect follicles with no hair.

At Advanced Specialty Care, we provide laser hair removal, as well as other skincare and chemical peel treatments. Our offices are located in Fairfield County, Connecticut in the towns of Danbury, Norwalk, and Ridgefield.


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Multi-Specialty Private Practice with six locations in Fairfield County, CT